Auto Train discussion 2023 Q4 - 2024

BLNT · Oct 1, 2024

After days of "rest", both 53 and 52 resumed service yesterday... yet both are having issues.

#53 left nearly 30 minutes early (you'd expect this, since it's been waiting there for days), yet still ended up arriving nearly three hours late.

#52 left almost 4 hours late - and has since lost another 2 hours (still enroute)

For #52 they site "equipment issues" - is that the train itself, or are both just impacted (or compounded) by what I'd guess was a freight backup along the route.

Or, is this just Amtrak being Amtrak ???

Bonser · Oct 1, 2024

BLNT said:
After days of "rest", both 53 and 52 resumed service yesterday... yet both are having issues.

#53 left nearly 30 minutes early (you'd expect this, since it's been waiting there for days), yet still ended up arriving nearly three hours late.

#52 left almost 4 hours late - and has since lost another 2 hours (still enroute)

For #52 they site "equipment issues" - is that the train itself, or are both just impacted (or compounded) by what I'd guess was a freight backup along the route.

Or, is this just Amtrak being Amtrak ???

Most likely it’s freight traffic.

disnycrayz · Oct 8, 2024

Pennyk’s source was correct - departure times have been changed from 5pm to 4pm for my May trips. I just got, my itinerary change emails and rebooked reservations. No mention of adjusted check in times though, which I thought was odd. Here is the content from the email:

We wanted to let you know that there has been a schedule change for your trip.

Your updated itinerary:

You're now scheduled to depart on train #0052, the Auto Train, from Sanford Auto Train on Monday, May 19th at 4:00pm and arrive in Lorton, Virginia on Tuesday, May 20th at 8:59am.

We're sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks for being a valued Amtrak customer - we'll see you onboard.

b243923 · Oct 8, 2024

They called me at 6 am this morning to tell me about the change to my Jan 23/25 trip. Very important to wake somebody at 6 am to tell them this!

disnycrayz · Oct 9, 2024

I got a voicemail at 6:30am too that gave the same exact message as in the email. I guess they’re early risers… I’m not.

But according to Amtrak’s website check in time has changed also.
—————————————————-

Check-In Times Changing Nov. 10

Check-in will begin at 11:30 am. Standard and extended vehicles must be checked in by 2:30 pm and motorcycles by 2:00 pm.
—————————————————-

This is actually the more relevant time change for passengers on Auto Train. Too bad they didn’t include it on the email or phone call.

b243923 · Oct 9, 2024

disnycrayz said:
I got a voicemail at 6:30am too that gave the same exact message as in the email. I guess they’re early risers… I’m not.

But according to Amtrak’s website check in time has changed also.
—————————————————-

Check-In Times Changing Nov. 10
Check-in will begin at 11:30 am. Standard and extended vehicles must be checked in by 2:30 pm and motorcycles by 2:00 pm.
—————————————————-

This is actually the more relevant time change for passengers on Auto Train. Too bad they didn’t include it on the email or phone call.

No they did not mention the change in check in

bbappel · Oct 12, 2024

Has anyone had to cancel a Southbound trip due to the Hurricanes wiping out their destinations?
If so, what were the ramifications?
We are concerned about the place where we spend February and fear we will have to go elsewhere, and it may not be Florida, so the AutoTrain won't work.
Thanks for any help.

lyineltrain · Oct 18, 2024

Last April our Autotrain trip arrived in Lorton 3 hours late. Hoped for better this fall.
It’s now worse. 2 weeks ago we arrived in Lorton 5 hrs late. They did offer snack boxes for lunch.
Just advised that our SB trip to Sanford today is already 4 hrs late departing. 9pm estimate. Most likely no dinner will be served. Not sure about lunch on board tomorrow. On previous trips we’ve heard they served take out pizza in the station instead of dinner on the train.

This train set has been 4-5 hrs late for weeks. Yet the $ remains. I’m sure today’s SB will be sold out. The Lorton station will be a circus trying to off and on load full trains at the same time.
Time to contact customer service for a refund.

Just-Thinking-51 · Oct 18, 2024

Better late than cancelled with no alternative.

Palmland · Oct 18, 2024

On our similar trip a couple years ago we were given Subway sandwich’s in Lorton, the Dinty Moore type stew over rice for lunch (adding a little wine helps), and stopped at JAX station to pick up pizza for supper. Arrived Sanford around 8:30pm.

We kind of enjoyed a leisurely day seeing parts of the Carolinas usually in darkness. The northbound train wouldn’t leave Sanford until midnight.

b243923 · Oct 18, 2024

b243923 said:
No they did not mention the change in check in

Got this email 2 days in a row

This fall, the departure and arrival of the Auto Train between Lorton, VA, and Sanford, FL will change to one hour earlier.

Effective November 10,2024, the following changes to the Auto Train schedule will occur.

Trains 52 and 53 depart at 4:00pm and arrive at 8:59am.
Check-in for all vehicle types begins at 11:30am and closes at 2:00pm for motorcycles and 2:30pm for all other vehicles.
New daily station hours in Lorton and Sanford will be 8:00am to 4:00pm

Thank you for choosing Amtrak.

The most up to date arrival and departure times are available on Amtrak.com, our free mobile apps, by texting “Status” to 800-872-7245 or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak

lyineltrain · Oct 18, 2024

Update. Our train hasn’t arrived it’s now due at 6pm. Over 8 hours late.
There’s no dinner tonight. So we go hungry. Instead they will serve lunch tomorrow because we won’t arrive until later afternoon.
At check in there’s no cart’s available. They’ve been saved for the incoming train passengers.
There’s not much positive about this. We could have driven and arrived at the same time tomorrow for far less than we’ve paid for the train.

Adder. The lunch times aren’t scheduled yet as they don’t know when we will be leaving today.

Bonser said:
Most likely it’s freight traffic.

It was equipment. Engine trouble.
2 weeks later that train set is now 8 hrs late

b243923 said:
There has not been dinner in the coach seating for quite a while now. It was removed years before covid, cost savings. We always stop and get sandwiches to bring on the train.

We are sleeper. Paid extra.

daves12555 said:
taking auto train north tue........does coach still not get dinner? I miss the pre covid auto train :-(

They can buy dinner or snacks on board

Just-Thinking-51 said:
Better late than cancelled with no alternative.

We could have driven and saved $1200. Arrived the same time.

Just-Thinking-51 · Oct 18, 2024

lyineltrain said:
We could have driven and saved $1200. Arrived the same time.

Go for it. I-95 is a long drive but it’s doable for some. I drive for a living so no you will not see me driving my car to Florida. It’s just not my cup of tea. Pre vacation relaxing/staring out at the pine trees is more important to my physical and mental health.

lyineltrain · Oct 19, 2024

An update. We left Lorton at 11pm. Sleeper rooms were already made up for beds. So no sitting in your room or roomette. Lounge cars closed a few minutes after we boarded. So no snacks or drinks available. Need to mention the Lorton station gift/snack shop closed at 9pm even though hundreds of passengers were still sitting in the station waiting to board.
This morning finds us 6-7 hours behind schedule. No mention so far about food other than the continental breakfast being served.
To be honest the OBSC acts as if this is business as usual. Haven’t seen our attendant since we got on board. Didn’t offer any help with our luggage either. At least Im saving tip $.

dlagrua · Oct 19, 2024

I say would say to Amtrak that you cannot continue to charge First Class prices on the Autotrain and provide forth class service. It sounds as though they do not have the equipment or the personnel to provide quality service. On other routes the going seems reasonably good so there is work that needs to be done here,

zephyr17 · Oct 19, 2024

dlagrua said:
I say would say to Amtrak that you cannot continue to charge First Class prices on the Autotrain and provide forth class service. It sounds as though they do not have the equipment or the personnel to provide quality service. On other routes the going seems reasonably good so there is work that needs to be done here,

Sure they can. Why should the Auto Train be different from other LDs? Indifferent service at high prices is not exactly uncommon.

Just-Thinking-51 · Oct 19, 2024

Yeah but just a bit of effort and the whole late train would of been a better experience.

Keep the station gift-cafe open into after the train leaves. Have the trains lounge open later.(Work rest rule issues.) Could have been dealt with. Having the beds made up is standard procedure that late. Not a big fan but understandable. (I make my own.)

Communication with the passengers. Commit to the plan at hand. Commit to your passengers experience, and expectations.

Then you can charge nose bleed prices.

zephyr17 · Oct 19, 2024

Just-Thinking-51 said:
Yeah but just a bit of effort and the whole late train would of been a better experience.

Again, that pretty much goes for the entire system.

tgstubbs1 · Oct 19, 2024

Palmland said:
the Dinty Moore type stew over rice for lunch (adding a little wine helps), and stopped at JAX station to pick up pizza for supper. Arrived Sanford around 8:30pm.

We kind of enjoyed a leisurely day seeing parts of the Carolinas usually in darkness. The northbound train wouldn’t leave Sanford until midnight.

Is this how they presented the Dinty Moore on rice? Along with green beans and a roll it's it doesn't look bad for an impromptu meal if the train was delayed for some reason.
I've always thought the Auto Train ran pretty much on time, but maybe something's wrong lately?

Palmland · Oct 19, 2024

tgstubbs1 said:
Is this how they presented the Dinty Moore on rice?

Yes, and it was a decent lunch. Good to see @lyineltrain had a good run so no need to for dinner before arrival. Forgot to mention - after our trip on the 10 hour late A-T, Amtrak called the next day offering a refund.

lyineltrain · Oct 19, 2024

Thanks all for your input. Here’s the wrap. Mid morning they announced the sleeper cars would get lunch served starting at 11:15. Menu would be the chicken or salmon off the dinner menu. No steak. Limited deserts. No salad.
Seating times were 11:15, 12:45 and 2:30. We had the 2:30 seating.
When served the food was cold. Not very edible. Not sure what the coach passengers did.
The OBSC seemed to avoid us until we were near arrival at 4pm. 6 hrs late. Then they began asking if we needed luggage carts or help with bags. I assume in an effort to generate tips from unhappy passengers. Off loading took a few hours as usual. The NB passengers waiting to board had already been told they would depart at least 3 hrs late. Looks like there trip will be much like ours.
I’ll contact customer service Monday. Our rt cost near $3k with the sleeper. We were 6 hrs late both directions. As noted yesterday there was no dinner, in the nb there was only a snack box for lunch. We’ve ridden for over 25 years and I can only offer the cost has increased while the experience gets worse.

zephyr17 · Oct 19, 2024

You will want to ask for Customer Relations when you call, not "customer service". The front line agents who cannot do much in a complaint situation are considered "customer service" and my experience is they will not transfer your call to Customer Relations you unless asked.

You will probably have to wait for an the initial agent, then again for Customer Relations. Once you get them they're usually pretty responsive, though.

MIA attendants showing up towards the end and basically shilling for tips is not at all uncommon. I don't reward attendants for having been MIA.

And yeah, Amtrak can be pretty crappy and isn't improving. It is what it is. And consistency of onboard service is a decades old problem.

Maverickstation · Oct 20, 2024

As the title states a brutally honest review of the Auto Train from a year ago.

Palmland · Oct 24, 2024

Because of the poor OT performance last week, I was surprised to see today’s trains are now back on schedule. Apparently they made a fast turnaround at destination for a few days to reduce departure delays.

On the 21st, A-T arrived Sanford at 1:03pm (about 3 hours late) and departed less than an hour late at 5:46. Too bad LD trains can’t do the same.

Of course it helps considerably that the consist (~17 passenger cars) doesn’t have to be hauled out to a yard for servicing and the car cleaners get on as soon as the last passenger gets off.

disnycrayz · Nov 3, 2024

Was checking out some old Auto Train videos and came across this one from 2 years ago. A little before the 12 min mark the crew allowed them to pop the camera into the kitchen for a glimpse while they were doing food prep. That was new to me!

Auto Train discussion 2023 Q4 - 2024

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