Auto Train discussion 2023 Q4 - 2024

[BLNT]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Better late than cancelled with no alternative.

 

[Palmland]

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]

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]

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.

Most likely it’s freight traffic.

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

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.

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

Better late than cancelled with no alternative.

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

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.