auto train

I think the auto train takes longer than driving, since it makes so many stops.

How far north are you going?

I was going to take the Amtrack from West Palm to NJ and saw that it takes about 22 hours.

Even after getting stuck in bad traffic for 3 hours, I was able to make it up there in less time.

The Autotrain is in Sanford and it is about 20 miles off of 95. Then you get off in VA, but still have to drive thru the DC area traffic when you get into your car.

I am planning to drive up to NJ sometime next week. I leave around 5PM and drive to my parents in Daytona, and get there around 8, go to sleep around 9:00 and then get up and leave at 5AM, and then it is only a 15 hour drive. If I fill up in Daytona at the station by my parents, I can make it to SC and fill up, and have enough gas to make it to NJ around 8 or 9 PM while it is still light out.(dont try this in the winter if you hate driving when it is dark)

However, I have never been aboe to drive from West Palm to NJ without having to stop and take a nap. Thats why I stop in Daytona the night before, Those extra 3 hours of driving are what kill you.

 

While I have no personal experience with it, a colleague whose husband works for Amtrak has mentioned (more than once) that normal cars are damaged pretty often, so I can't even imagine transporting a good car via the Autotrain.

 

I took the autotrain a few years ago and it was fine. They have a ground clearance limit and a height limit, so you have to make sure your vehicle meets those guidelines.

They drive the car onto the train for you, so if you don't like letting other people drive- it is a no go.

For a normal car, I think it is a good option- saves a lot of exhaustion and if you get a sleeper cabin you sleep through the night and arrive relatively refreshed for the remainder of your drive. I would not use them for a "special" car.

Some people complain of the noise at night and the bumpiness, but I had no such problem.

I did the VA to FL run. I don't know if they have other routes. Most of the passengers on my trip were older "snowbirds" from the northeast taking their lincolns and caddies down to FL for the winter.

 

I've taken it twice (round trip). It was only about $333 the first time for me and $256 the next (just one passenger).

My car was measured before it was loaded on and the said it was under the 4" limit and I had to sign a waiver that they wouldn't be responsible for damage. They drove it slowly on the ramps so I didn't have any issues. The car was loaded with a lot of stuff, which is why it was so low and no items were stolen.

Here are some pictures that I took with my BB: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9223668@N05/sets/72157621779784581/

They give you an empty seat in coach next to you as there is enough room. Dinner was decent enough. I didn't have any noise issues where I was seated. You have a power outlet next to you so I was on my laptop a lot. There is no wifi (at least as recently as July 2009), but I tethered my phone to my laptop and used that when we had phone service (sometimes we didn't).

Edit: The first time I took my car on the trip, I had to wait about 10-15 minutes for them to unload it. Next time was 45 minutes. The trip only has one stop in South Carolina...no one gets off except for the engineer I believe and for refueling. 17 hours total for the trip, which isn't bad. It's not as slow as the regular trains that stop a lot. Lorton, VA is pretty close to DC and traffic wasn't bad when I got there (on a Saturday, though). It always departs in the afternoon and arrives in the morning.

 

Also, the driver window is left down during the trip. I had nothing get into my car (rain, oil, etc). First time up to DC, my car was on the upper level. There was some really fine black dust on the car...my guess is maybe something from the exhaust of the train (not coal fired obviously, lol). Second trip around my car was on the bottom. There was no dust on it and no oil from any cars on top thankfully.

 

I have done the Auto Train multiple times back and forth between the Orlando area and Lorton, VA. Each time I have gone I opted for a bedroom with a toilet. The last time I went there was a yellow Lamborghini Diablo on board the train.

 

great idea but pretty pricey.

 

In 1988, about a dozen FCA members Auto-Train(ed) their cars to the National Councours held in Tyson's Grove, Virginia (could have been the Wolf Trap Park). Ironically, no cars were damaged while in transit, but a 275 received a ding on the front fender when wind blew a shopping cart into the car while waiting at check-in in Sanford, FL. Have photos somewhere of the cars loaded-up. The trip is certainly more fun with a group.

As an aside, I can drive from Orlando to DC in 12 hours without driving like a maniac. Would love the opportunity to replicate the famous Bentley Blue Train race if a dealer would lend me a Continental!

KevFla
Orlando, FL

 

I would not even think of doing that!

 

Hey Drew,

Hope you and the wife are having a good time in VT!!. Just popped on to see what's going on in FL. Saw your post, you'd think after the clutch was ruined by the transporter on the 348 you'd learn your lesson about shipping cars!!! If we didn't have the little one I'd be a happy volunteer LOL!!

 

I just did this in my truck pulling a 5x10 trailer and made it from Ft. Lauderdale to Fredricksburg, VA in 15 hours. It's a really easy drive. Was just over 900 miles if I remember correctly. Went to Long Island and back in three days. 2,883 miles total roundtrip.

The train takes longer overall and is less fun. Load up the iPod get a good radar detector and drop the hammer!!!!

 

I've used Amtrak once and didn't have an issue, but I'd rather just drive or ship the car door to door rather than using a terminal to terminal service. I'm actually driving our S550 from Tampa to NY next week Tuesday... should be a nice trip.