The Amtrak Auto Train experience PART 1
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Date: 2024-01-09
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Comments and reviews: 35
-pt008
It's kind of a wash - it takes 12 hours to drive from Lorton to Sanford, and the AutoTrain takes (comfortably) like 20 hours between arriving and departing train stations - give or take an hour if you don't pay for priority vehicle unloading. You can drive, get an OK $80-100 hotel somewhere along the way for the night, $70-100 in gas depending on what you're driving, but you haven't lost any time. Unless you pay for a bed/roomette, you're not going to get a great night sleep in a coach chair. (They are much nicer than regular train chairs but they don't quite recline all the way)
Having said that, I'm glad I tried the AutoTrain. It is a relative -first class- experience next to regular Amtrak offerings.
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It's kind of a wash - it takes 12 hours to drive from Lorton to Sanford, and the AutoTrain takes (comfortably) like 20 hours between arriving and departing train stations - give or take an hour if you don't pay for priority vehicle unloading. You can drive, get an OK $80-100 hotel somewhere along the way for the night, $70-100 in gas depending on what you're driving, but you haven't lost any time. Unless you pay for a bed/roomette, you're not going to get a great night sleep in a coach chair. (They are much nicer than regular train chairs but they don't quite recline all the way)
Having said that, I'm glad I tried the AutoTrain. It is a relative -first class- experience next to regular Amtrak offerings.
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-AMStationEngineer
At 14: 42, the footage provides a truly different/unique definition of the term -train tunnel-. I remember the fanfare over the inaugural run of the -Auto Train-; my family had a vacation home further south, in Homestead, and four rental properties in Vero Beach and Melbourne. A two week vacation rental included Auto Train service for a family of four, or a three-day excursion which visited MLB Baseball's 'Grapefruit League' training camps. -Simply Railway; Many thanks for uploading this nicely accomplished video, which 'recharged' some great old memories!
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At 14: 42, the footage provides a truly different/unique definition of the term -train tunnel-. I remember the fanfare over the inaugural run of the -Auto Train-; my family had a vacation home further south, in Homestead, and four rental properties in Vero Beach and Melbourne. A two week vacation rental included Auto Train service for a family of four, or a three-day excursion which visited MLB Baseball's 'Grapefruit League' training camps. -Simply Railway; Many thanks for uploading this nicely accomplished video, which 'recharged' some great old memories!
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-Paji76
I'm am Amtrak employee. I have taken the Auto Train as a part of my training for Amtrak's Call Center 6. 5 years ago. In less than two weeks my family and I willbe taking it as a passengers all for the time.
You are very accurate with your descriptions and details. The only flaw I saw was about taking your belongings. All passengers just need to take out is what thay need for the travel. Passengers can pack the car as much as they like as long as there is a clear view of the back window/ rear view mirror.
Thank you for your well detailed review!
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I'm am Amtrak employee. I have taken the Auto Train as a part of my training for Amtrak's Call Center 6. 5 years ago. In less than two weeks my family and I willbe taking it as a passengers all for the time.
You are very accurate with your descriptions and details. The only flaw I saw was about taking your belongings. All passengers just need to take out is what thay need for the travel. Passengers can pack the car as much as they like as long as there is a clear view of the back window/ rear view mirror.
Thank you for your well detailed review!
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-hettbeans
My brother, parents, and I took the Auto Train from Florida to DC once when I was a kid in the late 90s. Only long-distance train ride I've ever been on, sharing a roomette with my brother. My brother and I were up in the lounge car playing Pokemon cards around midnight when we stopped to refuel. There was a sign hanging in the depot - -Congratulations Amtrak on 1 year with no accidents! - and my brother and I were not thrilled about that.
TBH most surprising thing about this vid was the key ignition in the car -
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My brother, parents, and I took the Auto Train from Florida to DC once when I was a kid in the late 90s. Only long-distance train ride I've ever been on, sharing a roomette with my brother. My brother and I were up in the lounge car playing Pokemon cards around midnight when we stopped to refuel. There was a sign hanging in the depot - -Congratulations Amtrak on 1 year with no accidents! - and my brother and I were not thrilled about that.
TBH most surprising thing about this vid was the key ignition in the car -
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train
This is 2021 silent movies are obsolete please do not insist on your viewers reading your sub-titles. Give some narration I find your video editing very good, contents is good but it is difficult to watch and read the captions below which in hand takes away from the visual experience. Your video is not entertaining because of no audible experiences that you might have shared certainly should have. However I find your efforts commendable but nevertheless this video is suited for is not entertainment.
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This is 2021 silent movies are obsolete please do not insist on your viewers reading your sub-titles. Give some narration I find your video editing very good, contents is good but it is difficult to watch and read the captions below which in hand takes away from the visual experience. Your video is not entertaining because of no audible experiences that you might have shared certainly should have. However I find your efforts commendable but nevertheless this video is suited for is not entertainment.
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-seanlane8385
I love your videos and have watched many of them. Thank you for continuing to make them. The only thing I would change is the quick camera movements. This one in particular was hard to watch without feeling a little sick from all the quick and spinning camera moments. I've worked as a camera man before and it's just something you have to do; turn slowly while filming so the audience doesn't get dizzy or nauseous watching it. Anyway, looking forward to more videos. Thanks!
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I love your videos and have watched many of them. Thank you for continuing to make them. The only thing I would change is the quick camera movements. This one in particular was hard to watch without feeling a little sick from all the quick and spinning camera moments. I've worked as a camera man before and it's just something you have to do; turn slowly while filming so the audience doesn't get dizzy or nauseous watching it. Anyway, looking forward to more videos. Thanks!
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-jimmygangster
Overpriced is an understatement. It costs $800 for two people riding coach round trip with a standard car. Driving? It'd cost like $200 in gas if not less. And all you're really doing is saving the mileage on your car, but is it worth it to save 2, 000 miles though? I just don't see it. I'll stick to driving. If it were say $300 down and back I'd be fine with it because you'd get to sleep on the way down and I'd find value in that, but it isn't worth it in my opinion.
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Overpriced is an understatement. It costs $800 for two people riding coach round trip with a standard car. Driving? It'd cost like $200 in gas if not less. And all you're really doing is saving the mileage on your car, but is it worth it to save 2, 000 miles though? I just don't see it. I'll stick to driving. If it were say $300 down and back I'd be fine with it because you'd get to sleep on the way down and I'd find value in that, but it isn't worth it in my opinion.
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-user-jj1uy5qg6n
My late wife worked for 7/11 Her store passed inspection every month My late wife said This if you want a job dome right do it yourself Only my wife worked on a salary I did not work on a salary I got paid for every hour that I worked If I worked 12 hours a day 14 hours a day or 18 hours a day I got paid for it I worked out in the oilfield for 33 years I hung up the oil field back in 2005 Feb I am a cook I got that trade while in the U S Navy
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My late wife worked for 7/11 Her store passed inspection every month My late wife said This if you want a job dome right do it yourself Only my wife worked on a salary I did not work on a salary I got paid for every hour that I worked If I worked 12 hours a day 14 hours a day or 18 hours a day I got paid for it I worked out in the oilfield for 33 years I hung up the oil field back in 2005 Feb I am a cook I got that trade while in the U S Navy
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-redscorpion9411
I did some calculations. Since there are 18 passenger coaches, 33 auto carriers, and 2 locomotives, there are a total of 53 coaches in this train.
Since the train is a total length of 3/4 miles, the passenger section is about a quarter mile long! That's a long walk!
And the car section is just shy of half a mile long! Make sure you have enough gas to make it to the front if your car is assigned to be there.
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I did some calculations. Since there are 18 passenger coaches, 33 auto carriers, and 2 locomotives, there are a total of 53 coaches in this train.
Since the train is a total length of 3/4 miles, the passenger section is about a quarter mile long! That's a long walk!
And the car section is just shy of half a mile long! Make sure you have enough gas to make it to the front if your car is assigned to be there.
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-ziggy3237
lol. If you think I95 traffic is bad, try driving through Marietta Georgia on I-75 between 10: 00am and 4: 00pm. That-s some serious traffic. It-s even worse coming back. The I20W to I75N interchange is insanely backed up pretty much all day, and continues to be all the way from downtown Atlanta to Marietta. Man, I95 is a cakewalk compared to going into and coming out of the north side of Atlanta.
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lol. If you think I95 traffic is bad, try driving through Marietta Georgia on I-75 between 10: 00am and 4: 00pm. That-s some serious traffic. It-s even worse coming back. The I20W to I75N interchange is insanely backed up pretty much all day, and continues to be all the way from downtown Atlanta to Marietta. Man, I95 is a cakewalk compared to going into and coming out of the north side of Atlanta.
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-meltuchman3280
Just completed my 7th trip on Auto Train and always like the trip I've had a roommate 4 times and Coach three times-- the value is excellent-- this trip from Sanford to Lorton was $440 including to coach seats and my car that was less than it cost us to drive down two weeks earlier and got us home in two days rather than the three days it took us to drive there--
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Just completed my 7th trip on Auto Train and always like the trip I've had a roommate 4 times and Coach three times-- the value is excellent-- this trip from Sanford to Lorton was $440 including to coach seats and my car that was less than it cost us to drive down two weeks earlier and got us home in two days rather than the three days it took us to drive there--
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-seatravelers
Loved the video series!
The reason that Superliners don't serve the eastern routes is that they are too tall to fit into the tunnels under New York City. The Auto Train doesn't go to New York, hence Superliners. City of New Orleans is another route that runs exclusively east of the Mississippi that uses Superliners because it doesn't go to New York.
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Loved the video series!
The reason that Superliners don't serve the eastern routes is that they are too tall to fit into the tunnels under New York City. The Auto Train doesn't go to New York, hence Superliners. City of New Orleans is another route that runs exclusively east of the Mississippi that uses Superliners because it doesn't go to New York.
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-linda-k1958
Considering the savings of mileage AND fuel and the price of any other form of transportation outside of driving (i. e. airplane) I don't think the cost was too high at all! Thanks for all the videos, I've been binging since subscribing earlier today. Holy cow! that's a lotta vehicles!
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Considering the savings of mileage AND fuel and the price of any other form of transportation outside of driving (i. e. airplane) I don't think the cost was too high at all! Thanks for all the videos, I've been binging since subscribing earlier today. Holy cow! that's a lotta vehicles!
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-daniellewis1789
I wouldn't mind seeing a California terminus added, with LortonCalifornia being a much less convenient drive and possible to cover much faster by train.
Perhaps they could even offer courier service where your car goes separately and you pick it up at the other coast.
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I wouldn't mind seeing a California terminus added, with LortonCalifornia being a much less convenient drive and possible to cover much faster by train.
Perhaps they could even offer courier service where your car goes separately and you pick it up at the other coast.
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-frankrueter5218
There is one additional Super Liner train in the east which is the Capital Limited, running from Washington DC to Chicago because it has no restricting tunnels on it route. I've taken it numerous times going from CLE to LAX via CHI they are great cars to ride in.
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There is one additional Super Liner train in the east which is the Capital Limited, running from Washington DC to Chicago because it has no restricting tunnels on it route. I've taken it numerous times going from CLE to LAX via CHI they are great cars to ride in.
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-aaronroffman3987
Wow this is so cool! I've never taken the Auto Train but I did take the Silver Meteor, which travels nearly the same route. I'm surprised to learn this is their most profitable service. I'd have expected that to be Acela or Northeast Regional
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Wow this is so cool! I've never taken the Auto Train but I did take the Silver Meteor, which travels nearly the same route. I'm surprised to learn this is their most profitable service. I'd have expected that to be Acela or Northeast Regional
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-blahaj4995
10: 24 This isn't true. There are two more superliner trains west of Chicago. One is the Capitol Limited, traveling from Washington D. C to Chicago. The other is The City Of New Orleans, traveling from Chicago to New Orleans.
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10: 24 This isn't true. There are two more superliner trains west of Chicago. One is the Capitol Limited, traveling from Washington D. C to Chicago. The other is The City Of New Orleans, traveling from Chicago to New Orleans.
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-ziggy3237
Too bad this service doesn-t stop in Florence SC. I know my family who lives there travels to Florida a lot, so I bet they would love the convenience, and enjoy the ride. They have a station, but no car loading station.
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Too bad this service doesn-t stop in Florence SC. I know my family who lives there travels to Florida a lot, so I bet they would love the convenience, and enjoy the ride. They have a station, but no car loading station.
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-martindrees4602
Couldnt you just buy a car for that price? your not saving anything in one sense, wear and tear on the car vs the saving on not driving for that price seems a bit steep, great vids btw thanks!
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Couldnt you just buy a car for that price? your not saving anything in one sense, wear and tear on the car vs the saving on not driving for that price seems a bit steep, great vids btw thanks!
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-urhiredhr421
I truly enjoy the autotrain. However now, in 2021 pricing has really escalated for the regular coach seat. Last year $89, no in May of 2021 they are demanding $250 plus the cost of the car.
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I truly enjoy the autotrain. However now, in 2021 pricing has really escalated for the regular coach seat. Last year $89, no in May of 2021 they are demanding $250 plus the cost of the car.
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-SandyFam
Random question, but how did you get your camera back from the headrest? Was the gentleman nice enough to grab it for you or did you wait until your arrived in Florida and vehicle returned?
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Random question, but how did you get your camera back from the headrest? Was the gentleman nice enough to grab it for you or did you wait until your arrived in Florida and vehicle returned?
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-thebruh2777
Auto Train was great for me personally, although I would recommend a sleeper instead of the crappy, nubby, ridiculously uncomfortable seats that recline back only about 30 degrees.
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Auto Train was great for me personally, although I would recommend a sleeper instead of the crappy, nubby, ridiculously uncomfortable seats that recline back only about 30 degrees.
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train
That last footage was in Folkstone GA
Stayed there for a vacation
Trains were passing almost every 15 minutes to an hour. Even has a train museum, great place to train watch.
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That last footage was in Folkstone GA
Stayed there for a vacation
Trains were passing almost every 15 minutes to an hour. Even has a train museum, great place to train watch.
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-sharonwilson2450
We've taken the auto train three times and absolutely love it! Nice having your car and as much luggage as you can fit in your car. Never had anything touched or stolen.
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We've taken the auto train three times and absolutely love it! Nice having your car and as much luggage as you can fit in your car. Never had anything touched or stolen.
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-MapleManYT
Its good amtrak uses double decks, but for the -multi dome lounge- idea they had back then is ruined by the coaches! Add more superliner lounge cars amtrak! More lounge cars!
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Its good amtrak uses double decks, but for the -multi dome lounge- idea they had back then is ruined by the coaches! Add more superliner lounge cars amtrak! More lounge cars!
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-user-jj1uy5qg6n
I could care less about high priced food on a traim Or a plane I want to go point A to B just as cheap as I can I am very happy with 198 round trip to new york in Dec
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I could care less about high priced food on a traim Or a plane I want to go point A to B just as cheap as I can I am very happy with 198 round trip to new york in Dec
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-douglaskirk5636
I Remember back when it started as a Private Company, AmTrak Continues, and I've Always wanted to Ride. Now I know this, DEFINITELY WILL Enjoy AmTrak's Experience.
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I Remember back when it started as a Private Company, AmTrak Continues, and I've Always wanted to Ride. Now I know this, DEFINITELY WILL Enjoy AmTrak's Experience.
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train
We took this trip 11/2019 - trip was nice - food was great but forget about sleeping - tracks are in terrible shape- so much noise - even with sleeping pills, - no sleep
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We took this trip 11/2019 - trip was nice - food was great but forget about sleeping - tracks are in terrible shape- so much noise - even with sleeping pills, - no sleep
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-NatesRandomVideo
I love the idea of autotrain but one air hose busts and the train goes into emergency and I would think a lot of vehicle damage could be done very quickly.
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I love the idea of autotrain but one air hose busts and the train goes into emergency and I would think a lot of vehicle damage could be done very quickly.
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-KSfan4ever
This video is wonderfully informative! I especially LOVE that there is no music soundtrack so we can actually get a true sense of the experience. It's great!
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This video is wonderfully informative! I especially LOVE that there is no music soundtrack so we can actually get a true sense of the experience. It's great!
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-marcconfig2631
The reason no SUPERLINER East of Chicago actually has to do with the tunnels that are on the East Coast. Too many that will not fit a bilevel train car.
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The reason no SUPERLINER East of Chicago actually has to do with the tunnels that are on the East Coast. Too many that will not fit a bilevel train car.
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-joseasesio2011
Una bolsa de Mercadona!
Lo ultimo que esperaba en los EEUU.
A shopping bag from Mercadona ( Spain supermarket!
Last thing I xpected in USA.
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Una bolsa de Mercadona!
Lo ultimo que esperaba en los EEUU.
A shopping bag from Mercadona ( Spain supermarket!
Last thing I xpected in USA.
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-gdrriley420
200$ to not put 850 miles on a car. Gas alone on a car getting 30mpg and at 3$ is 90$ not factoring in any other repairs. For SUVs it makes a lot of sense.
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200$ to not put 850 miles on a car. Gas alone on a car getting 30mpg and at 3$ is 90$ not factoring in any other repairs. For SUVs it makes a lot of sense.
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-zachbates6541
I like Amtrak trains like Silver Meteor, The Auto Train, Empire Builder and Southwest Chief trains there great and I haven-t been on it before
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I like Amtrak trains like Silver Meteor, The Auto Train, Empire Builder and Southwest Chief trains there great and I haven-t been on it before
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-Nascarfan-ir8nv
The auto train station is near where my grandparents used to live. I k ow that area by practically by heart. I'm originally from there
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The auto train station is near where my grandparents used to live. I k ow that area by practically by heart. I'm originally from there
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