Amtrak Auto Train

This is something I always found interesting, but I have never done anything on Amtrak.

Do any of you folks have any experiences / advice / warnings about the Auto Train?

I / we would be traveling from New York if we decide to go.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

RR,

While I have not taken the Auto Train, I have taken a few two-day trips on the SW Chief. If you’re going the entire route, I would highly recommend trying to get a Roomette.

A Roomette is great for solo travelers or will fit two in a pinch.

Also, spend as much time as you can in the observation car.

Can’t speak to the Auto Train but I’ve taken Acela several times to/from DC to Philadelphia. Super nice and I would opt Acela over flying any day along the I-95 corridor.

I know the Auto-train doesn’t go as fast as Acela, but something about going 125mph along the tracks is super cool.

Yes, I like trains…..

Acela is definitely the exception in US rail.

At least until the new high speed projects in California and Florida are finished!

It’s interesting to think of what the U.S. could have looked like had we invested in rail rather than interstates.

If you want to go fast on a train, give the Shanghai maglev a try. 268 M/H. It's short, so there is barely enough time to get up to that speed before you start slowing down again, but it is a cool experience.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...glev_train

I rode the Shanghai Maglev back in 2007, just for funsies. On the one hand, it was extremely smooth and convenient and made me start wondering why they don't stick those things all over the place (between Dallas and Fort Worth or between Minneapolis and St. Paul, etc.). On the other hand, part of me wondered whether "regular" high speed rail isn't more cost efficient and if we shouldn't just get that started first.

Yeah. On one hand "faster" is better but on the other "fast" is good enough to connect cities.

ApolloAndy:

On the other hand, part of me wondered whether "regular" high speed rail isn't more cost efficient and if we shouldn't just get that started first.

I think it's pretty clear that the Shanghai train is "We built it to show you we can" not "We think this is the future of rail."

It will be interesting to see how well Brightline does in Florida. It has been impressive to see it come together.

I have not ridden the Auto Train, but have been on other routes, such as the Lake Shore Limited, California Zephyr and Carolinian. As mentioned previously if you can afford it, the bedroom is the high end, roomette is middle tier and regular coach.

Traveling by coach is like traveling by bus, but with much better seats, and the ability to move around. If you prefer some privacy, do the roomette or bedroom.

The traiu most likely will run behind schedule, so don't try to plan anything the day of arrival (eithe direction). You also won't have internet most of the trip.

There is something about traveling by train that is relaxing, but it's just slow. In most cases you can drive about as fast the train moves (with stops), but much more freedom to the experience compared to driving.

I hope Brightline is successful, both in Florida and their attempt to go to Vegas from LA. The US would be better served by REAL high speed rail.

SVL,

Good point about the bedrooms. Let me add one more to those; some of the bedrooms may have private bathrooms with a shower. The public train bathrooms will be disgusting by the end of the trip. If this is going to be an issue, then look into a bedroom which has a toilet/shower combo.

Also, roomettes and above get free dining at the dining car. The food from the dining car is legit. The food from the cafe car is sub-par, but it works.

Additionally, if you hop off the train to take a break, they will leave you if you're not on board right after the 'all aboard' call. They usually give you about 15 seconds to hop back on.

Search the You'sTubes; plenty of Amtrak dorks out there with info.

Have a good time. It'll be more enjoyable than you think.

My wife did this as a kid and said it was a miserable experience.

Next time they went to FL her father just drove LOL

My parents have done the auto train multiple times and they enjoy it. They’ve done a roomette once but coach every other time and didn’t feel the roomette was worth the charge. They didn’t have a problem sleeping in coach.

They’ve said it’s not a bad ride and it’s nice having their own car when they are there.

They didn’t have any specifics c advice other than they obvious to make sure you have everything you want with you on the train and not in your vehicle. :)