AutoTrain another reason to love the Ford Ranger.

[got3fords]

I looked into the train (not the autotrain, just a regular Amtrak) - and after a bit of research, it seems pretty popular knowledge that you don't take the train to save money, you take the train for the "experience".

I have taken the train a handful of times for various reasons. We took Amtrak from Va. to North Dakota several years ago. It was an awesome experience, but not a time saver. The trip home was a nightmare as our train from ND was late, then we had to choose to stay the night in Chicago or take the Greyhound. We took the bus because we had to be back for work. Bus from Chicago to DC, then to Charlottesville, brutal!
But Amtrak is actually pretty convenient if we want to visit northern Va. or points north. We can board in Culpeper which is a very convenient station with free parking.

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[RedlandRanger]

I have taken the train a handful of times for various reasons. We took Amtrak from Va. to North Dakota several years ago. It was an awesome experience, but not a time saver. The trip home was a nightmare as our train from ND was late, then we had to choose to stay the night in Chicago or take the Greyhound. We took the bus because we had to be back for work. Bus from Chicago to DC, then to Charlottesville, brutal!
But Amtrak is actually pretty convenient if we want to visit northern Va. or points north. We can board in Culpeper which is a very convenient station with free parking.

Quite a few years ago my wife and I attempted to take the train from Portland to Seattle for an anniversary trip. We ended up just driving because the train kept getting delayed - it is a good thing we ended up driving because we would have gotten into Seattle at like 3am.

I've heard train schedules are notoriously unreliable and when traveling by train you have to just "go with the flow" and be flexible, especially for longer trips.

I'd still like to do it some day. It would be kind of like driving across the country (which I've done a few times in my younger days) but without having to actually drive, and you can get up and walk around when you want to.

 

[got3fords]

I've heard train schedules are notoriously unreliable and when traveling by train you have to just "go with the flow" and be flexible, especially for longer trips.

I'd still like to do it some day. It would be kind of like driving across the country (which I've done a few times in my younger days) but without having to actually drive, and you can get up and walk around when you want to.

Yes, you have to be flexible. I will add that you get to see a whole different aspect of the US when traveling by train. It takes you through parts of the country, rural and urban, vehicles don't normally go through.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Yes, you have to be flexible. I will add that you get to see a whole different aspect of the US when traveling by train. It takes you through parts of the country, rural and urban, vehicles don't normally go through.

That is a big part of why I want to do it. I've read so many good things about it as long as you can be flexible and adjust to all the changes.

 

[Tom_C]

I always wanted to take a train trip, but never have. I've been on commuters but thought a real train trip would be nostalgic. As I get older, I can live without that experience. Now, I usually always fly, non stop and first class. I carry on my laptop backpack with toothbrush, extra underwear and maybe an extra shirt. If I need boots, I wear them. I've flown for several funerals, and I wear my suit, catch an AM flight and a PM flight home the same day.

 

[VegasP11]

I have taken the Auto Train on a regular basis for years and it has been hit or miss as far as time savings, money savings or even comfort. The time to queue up to load and then the time to disembark are significant. The roomettes are small and expensive. No cost savings what so ever. Coach seats can be comfortable because they are wider and have more leg room than a plane, but they can still get tiresome on such a long trip. The delays, when the do happen, can be outrages. The last 3-4 times that I’ve taken the Auto Train, it has always been late in departure and even later in arrival. One trip we spent an additional nearly 40 hours stuck on the train due to a crash blocking the tracks, and the freight train traffic always has priority over Amtrak so that inevitably causes further delays as well. Driving can be long, for sure, but you certainly have much more freedom to adjust your travel plans. We would much rather spend a night in a hotel with a real bed and real shower than to have to suffer through a train bed and tiny shower. Our last two trips on the Auto Train were sheer misery with significant delays and then they ran out of food. Not likely to use Auto Train again anytime soon. That’s just us.

Actually, AMTRAK and Commuter trains have priority over freight. I couldn't tell you how many ties the dispatcher has stuck my train in the hole for a passenger special.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

rates start at $255.......

Could be a good deal if you're driving both ways. No way you're only spending $100 on gas for a round trip from Sanford to Lorton.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

I could see the pros. ~1000 mile road trips suck, speaking as someone who has regularly done Denver to Chicago a few times a year for many years now. So if someone/something else can do the driving while you are sleeping, the extra cost may be worth it. Sometimes the convenience is worth the extra money.

Plus, $100 in gas is very conservative. I’d put it closer to $150 assuming $3.50/gal for two 18 gal fill ups with some wiggle room for random expensive gas when there are no other options. Gas out here is still above $4 for mid-grade (89) unfortunately.

EXACTLY. The $100 in gas estimate is legit maybe if you're buying gas over a decade ago

 

[midwayfordranger2021]

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.

 

[Doc]

Auto Train, How do you go about it ?

 

[rausa64]

My sister and brother in law have been taking the auto train for years with their F-150. No issues.

 

[got3fords]

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.

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

 

[AzScorpion]

Auto Train, How do you go about it ?

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

 

[got3fords]

Looks like it only serves Lorton, Va and Sanford, FL. Here's a Google Earth shot of the Lorton station, you can see all the loading ramps.

 

[Ronbo]

Actually, AMTRAK and Commuter trains have priority over freight. I couldn't tell you how many ties the dispatcher has stuck my train in the hole for a passenger special.

In theory, yes. In practice, no. It’s not enforced. (At least it’s not on the east coast CSX tracks, on which Auto Train runs.)

“ For over 50 years, freight railroads have been required by law to provide Amtrak with “preference” to run passenger trains ahead of freight trains. However, many freight railroads ignore the law because it is extremely difficult for Amtrak to enforce it, and as a result, people and the American economy suffer.”

Source: https://www.amtrak.com/on-time-performance#:~:text=For over 50 years, freight,and the American economy suffer.

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