Amtrak Auto Train Discussion

[zuluwarrior]

https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2 ... t-recovery

[bostontrainguy]

You are wrong!
The reason the departure times are the same from both ends is to maintain consistency. As soon as they are not the same, someone -there is always someone- will state they were an hour late because that time was okay on the other end. And they will miss their train and will complain and seek unwarranted financial compensation.
The Auto Train has been in operation for decades, and the existing schedule has been tweaked for just as long. Why are you proposing fixing something that is not broken?

Because over the years the traffic on the north end has become increasingly worse. You do know that the Auto Train cutoff is 2:30 PM today, right? Are you aware that the Auto Train cutoff was 3:00 PM 10 years ago? Are you also aware that 20 years ago the cutoff time was 3:30 PM? It has become increasingly difficult to get there over the years and making the cutoff earlier and earlier isn't helping.

Oh and by the way, your other argument makes no sense. You can't be one hour late if the train departure time and cutoff is moved 1 hour later. If people are used to 2:30, 3:30 will be no problem for them.

You missed my point about consistency of departure times at both ends entirely!
. . .
I really do not care it the train departs both stations at 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, or 6 pm - just as long as it is the same at both stations. Because the very instance that is no longer true, someone - probably you - will arrive one hour late at the station where the train departs one hour earlier.

You know what Mr. electric? I do not believe people - especially me - are as stupid as you feel they are.

[Jeff Smith]

Let's get back to the topic at hand.

[Tadman]

I'm not sure if any of the last two pages of posts belong in this actual thread but to answer Tadman's question, that maximum length of the Auto train is 56 cars. This is an increase from 50 cars. I'm not sure it ever hits that length though and I suspect it won't in the foreseeable future.

Thanks. That's quite the haul.

[Jeff Smith]

Discount Roomettes: For a Limited Time, Save 20% on Auto Train Roomettes

I don't know if I've asked this before, or someone else has, but can you book an Auto Train ticket WITHOUT a car? Asking for a friend ...

Travel Comfortably in a Roomette and Save 20% Through June 24
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To receive this discount use the Fare Finder above or enter code V528 when booking your trip on the Amtrak app. The offer is subject to availability and an advanced reservation of at least 3 days is required.

Valid for sale between June 9–24, 2020.

Valid for travel between June 15–August 31, 2020.

[JimBoylan]

can you book an Auto Train ticket WITHOUT a car? Asking for a friend ...

If 1 of you pays for a vehicle and a Sleeping Car room, another person can buy a separate ticket at the lowest coach rate for travel in that room, without paying for another vehicle.

[zuluwarrior]

46 cars northbound today, and a little over 400 pax. Listed as sold out, but there were plenty of coach seats. 30 car carriers and 16 passenger cars. I imagine the percent vaccinated in this population is reasonably high.

Slight menu changes, and they seem to have standardized on delivery to the sleeperettes: no more styrofoam but instead plastic covered plates (disposable). Deliveries at 5, 6,7 and one sitting in the dining car at 8.

The coffee urns are gone in one consist but apparently remain in the other. Ice in the coach lounge car.

[Gilbert B Norman]

Mr. Zulu, something doesn't add up regarding your immediate report appertaining, I presume, #52(2).

48 vehicles 400 PAX; whoa; nine PAX per vehicle??????

It also sounds as if on-board service has "taken a hit". No ice in the Sleepers. Hey, my first chore after boarding is to grab some ice to get my "Grape Juice" chilled down. Now I'd have to walk to the Coach Lounge (#370XX X-Country nowadays; I believe) for same.

Just one more reason "Voyage 24" in all likelihood was my final.

[JimBoylan]

I think he was counting the railroad cars in the train not the motor vehicles.

[Gilbert B Norman]

Mskes sense Mr. Boylan; I "stand down" on that point.

Stand, though, on the remainder of the post.

[lordsigma12345]

I, personally, thought the food menu on my April trip to be a step up over my previous trips. Both the steak I had on the way down and the pork loins on had coming home were very good. My previous trip in 2019 I found the food rather bland - now I suppose it could be a crew difference, but I found this trip pretty good despite restrictions on diner capacity. The sides are nothing special but the main course and desserts were great. I also like the new bedding and pillows much better than the old stuff thats still on all the other trains. Also they are trialing a new program in the bedrooms where you can put an order in for types of items such as shampoo, soap, and other types of toiletries and supplies.

[daybeers]

So they finally actually have new bedding & pillows for the AT?! Could you share more about the toiletries ordering?

[lordsigma12345]

Yes. New bedding. If you have a bedroom they give you a card where you can order all sorts of toiletries And other items and the SCA will bring them to you.

[gokeefe]

I'm going to go way out on a limb and say that short of restoring china and fresh cut flowers it sounds as though the service is "as good as ever". Mr. Norman, I look forward to your reply.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[lordsigma12345]

I found the new bedding - especially the blanket - much better than the previous - but so far it’s only on the auto train.