AutoTrain another reason to love the Ford Ranger.

[Ronbo]

A friend of mine when I lived in New England used the AutoTrain often. He went to Ft. Lauderdale every January and he usually stayed for a month or so.. and wanted his car down there. He had a Firebird convertible which rode terribly and gave his back fits.... not a good road trip car, I guess. Although....I have taken my Ranger up to Maine and all through New England several times and found it to be extremely comfortable on long trips. He always liked the AutoTrain and only had good things to say about it... didn't complain about lines or accomodations or anything... but did mention that Amtrak advised him beforehand about possible loading delays. The Firebird was smaller than the Ranger and fit very well on it. The other guys are probably right about a Ranger being the max size vehicle that will go into it. You may want to check with Amtrak to be sure....as I was surprised a few months back on a trip to New Orleans that my stock height 2021 wouldn't really fit in the hotel parking garage....too tall !! My buddy had to hold the roof antenna down to get under the floor beams and then the roof only cleared by about 2 inches.

When I lived in Fort Lauderdale, there would be an additional 4 - 4.5 hour drive home after getting your car off the Autotrain, and about a 4 hour drive on the other end to get to Lorton Va. Now I live in the Panhandle and the drive from/to the Autotrain in Sanford Fl is even longer, at least 6 hours if traffic is light. Basically it takes a lot longer to use the train than it would to drive straight through. Driving the Ranger is a lot quicker and much more comfortable.

Sponsored

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

I have a very romantic idea of what a train journey could be. One day I'll make an entire event out of it. I was born too late and in the wrong part of the country to take advantage of regular train journeys in my lifetime.

I really do enjoy driving on a road trip every once in a while but as the driver I feel my focus is in a much more narrow field than my passengers. The romantic part of the train journey for me is just sitting in a comfy sideways-facing chair with a drink and a snack and watching America pass me by, subtly changing mile-by-mile. And capping it off with an Amtrak steak.

It's really expensive for what it is, but I'd like to experience this method of travel before it's obsolete.

 

[midwayfordranger2021]

Just curious, why didn't you just unscrew the antenna?

This is gonna make me look stupid....but... I didn't know it unscrewed !!

 

[got3fords]

This is gonna make me look stupid....but... I didn't know it unscrewed !!

Not gonna bang on ya! Yeah, it simply unscrews, a lot of people take it off before going through car washes etc. You're left with just the plastic base. Now you know.

 

[Doc]

Here's a couple links Doc with info on how to use it and locations it serves.

https://amtrakguide.com/routes/auto-train/

https://www.amtrak.com/auto-train

This is very convienient Thank you for your input !

 

[midwayfordranger2021]

Not gonna bang on ya! Yeah, it simply unscrews, a lot of people take it off before going through car washes etc. You're left with just the plastic base. Now you know.

Thanks guy...glad I know now it unscrews....am hoping to go back to New Orleans !!!!

 

[got3fords]

Thanks guy...glad I know now it unscrews....am hoping to go back to New Orleans !!!!

Give it a try! It takes seconds. If you have running boards, it makes it much easier.

 

[WolfgangVTS]

Not gonna bang on ya! Yeah, it simply unscrews, a lot of people take it off before going through car washes etc. You're left with just the plastic base. Now you know.

Yep. I removed my antenna almost two years ago and haven’t given it a second thought. I never listen to FM radio so I have no need for it or a “stubby” replacement. I unscrewed it and threw it in my glove box and there it sits to this day.

 

[Chris M]

Thanks guy...glad I know now it unscrews....am hoping to go back to New Orleans !!!!

Replace it with a "stubby" maybe? I think they come in 2 lengths, both shorter than OEM antenna.
I have the shortest one. No issues with it at all.

 

[AzScorpion]

Replace it with a "stubby" maybe? I think they come in 2 lengths, both shorter than OEM antenna.


I have the shortest one.

Oh you left me no choice! ?

 

[Chris M]

Oh you left me no choice! ?

A man's got to know his limitations.

 

[mikeamick]

"" Taking the train would have been at a minimum $800 a person(general), or as much as $2100 (for a room) ""

 

[mikeamick]

I looked into the train (not the autotrain, just a regular Amtrak) - In my case, we were looking at taking the train to Utah instead of flying. Taking the train would have been at a minimum $800 a person(general), or as much as $2100 (for a room)

No offense but I am retired Locomotive Engineer for Amtrak and I'm not sure who told you those
amounts. From Los Angeles to New York is $300, with a room $800.

 

[RedlandRanger]

No offense but I am retired Locomotive Engineer for Amtrak and I'm not sure who told you those
amounts. From Los Angeles to New York is $300, with a room $800.

I got them off the Amtrak website using their trip planner.

 

[mikeamick]

I got them off the Amtrak website using their trip planner.

I have to admit that when my wife, she is Amtrak retired also and my conductor, anyways when she calls it's pretty common for her to say, jezzz they don't know what they're are doing ... so quite possible.

Sponsored