Chief0792
Train Attendant
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- Jul 7, 2017
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Thank you! I thought so but just wasn't sure.
Auto Train discussion
- Thread starter Spencejo
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Hello. I have one way transit booked on the auto train from Lorton to Sanford in mid-February. I am traveling in coach seating (beats the usual 19 hours I drive from Central, PA to Manasota Key as a lone driver). Anyway, I know that Amtrak does not allow me to choose a seat before arrival at the station. Supposedly when I check in I will be "provided with a seat". Do I get any choice in where my seat is located? I want to sit in the upper berth, mid train, window. I am assuming that if I check in early I will have better seating options. I would appreciate feedback from anyone who has experience with traveling coach. TY.
You mean "upper level". Berth is another word for bed, so it only refers to the upper or lower berth in a sleeping accommodation.
Why do you think mid-train is better?
Sorry, I meant upper level, mid car. Or whatever teminology you call it. I was advised to stay away from the doors that open between cars (much more distraction) - that is why.
b243923
Service Attendant
It depends on the number of passengers on the train. If the train is almost sold out you will be sitting with another passenger. You can mention to the agent when checking in you prefer a window seat and mid car. They usually accommodate you. I just came down in January and the agent said the 2nd car from the end is the quietest. I orginally said I wanted the last car and he said that the locommotive is behind that and you do not want that car.
And usually the ride is smoother in the Middle of the Car since you're not over the Trucks.
Also the Seats across from the Stairwell have a Bright Stairwell Light that Shines all Night as well as people going up and down the Stairs,so you don't want to sit there. ( and the Bulkhead Row Seats do not have Tray Tables)
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I’m traveling mid-Month (actually Valentine’s Day) so I’m hoping the train won’t be as crowded as they probably are at the very end of the Winter months (due to monthly rental property turnover). I know when I drive down the traffic is quite bad the last 2 days of the month in Winter.
Thank you for this advice!
So, I just checked Amtrak's website for the autotrain for the date I am traveling. It shows "70% full".
This statement is from my reservation receipt: "Seat assignments for Reserved Coach passengers will be handled on a first-come first-served basis". I am assuming that if I get there early (the station opens at 12:30 p.m. I believe) I will have a better shot at getting a seat in an area I prefer.
Good assumption regarding seating.
I agree that’s good seating advice. Although I am kind of a random seater - and when you’re in coach, you never know what you’re going to get ha ha. At times I really lucked out.
70% means 70% of all seats so they count couch seats (several hundred) and sleeper seats and then if you’re at 70% now that’s 70% of all seats. From what I’ve seen of the auto train the coach seats sell out sooner than sleeper seats.
Do they lineup outside the ticket office for reserved seating? If they do may want to be a little bit earlier than 1230.
If southbound, the seats on the left-hand side will have more water views and conversely, if going northbound the seats will have more water views. The observation car is a wonderful place to watch the sun set around 5:30 PM or sunrise around 7AM:
Have a great trip
We got there at 12:15 in Sanford and there was maybe a dozen cars in front of us . No waiting at the ticket window to check in and it was a fairly full train - 500+ passengers. At Lorton and Sanford cars backs up onto the city street fairly quickly. It certainly is convenient at Lorton as the entrance is just off the I-95 Lorton exit. In the busy season (now) there will likely be 4 coaches, goes down to 3 in off peak.
In Sanford the coaches and sleepers share a platform but are on two different tracks. In Lorton the whole train (except auto carriers of course) are on one long track on the platform. Platform signage is pretty good to direct you to the correct location to board - just have your coach number, it'll be 53xx.
I am travelling the same day. I am a Pittfan. May we have a safe and on time trip.
I figured the 70% included sleeper rooms as well as the coach seats. Thanks for confirming.
Any one know why AT 53 is nearly 8 hours late today. Left yesterday 3 hours late but lost a lot and only in Savannah. Glad my friend is on todays 53 and should get out on time.
jis
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Engine failure and the saga that follows....
Got out just in time ( in fact it left Early!!!)with #53 Cancelled for Tomorrow! (2/08)
The Grounded Life folk (with her dad standing in for husband) just reviewed the southbound Auto Train. There are some informative details that may not be common knowledge, including a nice interior shot of the Superliner "sleeper lounge" (non-Sightseer) and some insight of how meals are handled. While it may be "old hat" for regular users, those considering a trip may find it very helpful.
This is a really good video. TY for sharing it!
Now for my 2 cents, having just traveled on train 53 from Lorton to Sanford on 2/14/23 in coach.
I had recently flown in coach from PHL to Thailand and was able to tolerate that VERY long set of flights, so I thought I could easily handle sitting in the coach seats on the auto train. I was not going to pay $317 (the prices vary widely, but that was what was quoted when I made my reservation 3 month prior to my departure date of 2/14). I was traveling alone and $317 for one person utilizing a very, VERY small space did not seem practical. The coach seats were only about 60% full the day of my travel. I had planned my departure date for mid-month on a holiday hoping the train would not be very full. That was the case, but IDK if that was pure luck or good planning on my part.
I enjoyed the train ride. Because the train was nowhere near full, I had two reclining chairs to myself and could easily curl up and sleep on those seats once both of the leg rests were in their full, upright position and the seat backs were reclined. I had taken along a firm, long, half-round body pillow to wedge in along the armrest of the window seat I had requested, thinking I would need that for comfort. I did not know until the train had boarded that I would have the whole 2 seats to myself, so I really didn't need that pillow. I had a small cooler with beverages, a bag of snacks, my bed pillow, and a few other creature comforts packed, as well as a small carry on containing some jewelry, electronics and medications.
I was surprised that the auto-train allows people to take their own alcoholic beverages on board. Quite a few people had done so. The prices of the 1/2 bottles of wine and other drinks were reasonable though; no price gouging IMO.
I had requested an upper level coach seat, located mid-train and mid car. I received just that. Because the car I was in was many cars back away from the engine, the engine whistle was barely noticeable to me (especially once I was onboard for awhile). Anyone who has never taken a train before needs to be aware of the very frequent use of the whistle for crossings (something I knew about, but just didn't realize how frequent it would be). I got used to the rhythmic swaying/bumping of the train. Since I was mid-train, this provided a smooth ride most of the time. The only thing I did not find comfortable regarding the seat is the length of the elevating leg rest hit me about mid calf and the pressure of this really bothered me. I did not try to sit that way because of discomfort and luckily, I did not have to!
I did not pay the extra $90(?) for "priority off loading" of my car. It took just over 1 hour for me to get my car. It would most likely have taken considerably longer had the train been at maximum coach capacity or nearly so.
I really loved the auto-train. but probably won't ride it again. These are my primary reasons:
1). When I booked on-line it said I would be able to choose a seat after paying and receiving a confirmation. This is NOT true of coach seating on the auto-train! In fact, as many of you know, selection of your seat is first come / first served on most Amtrak trains. Since I learned after booking/confirmation that I could not reserve a seat, I arrived at the Lorton station a full 3 hours before departure. I did not want to get stuck in an aisle seat, or near the engine. or in the bottom level. The only way to insure a seat that I preferred was to arrive early. The gates where you drive up to enter the auto check-in open at 12:30. I believe pre-boarding of anyone over 65, handicapped, etc. began at @ 3:00. The rest of us were allowed to board by no later than 3:30 if I remember correctly (sorry, I wasn't looking at the clock every minute). So the need to arrive so early meant that another 2-2.5 hours of time was added to my journey to sit around in the waiting area. Yuck!
2). The only animals allowed on board are true service animals. I opted to not travel with my dog, but he is my buddy and I almost cancelled my ticket because I was having anxiety becasue of leaving him behind on this trip. I usually drive, and am the lone driver to the far Southwestern Gulf Coast of FL, so that is a very long trip for one driver! Despite that, I would rather take an extra day driving to FL and staying in a hotel since I can take my dog with me.
Now for my 2 cents, having just traveled on train 53 from Lorton to Sanford on 2/14/23 in coach.
I had recently flown in coach from PHL to Thailand and was able to tolerate that VERY long set of flights, so I thought I could easily handle sitting in the coach seats on the auto train. I was not going to pay $317 (the prices vary widely, but that was what was quoted when I made my reservation 3 month prior to my departure date of 2/14). I was traveling alone and $317 for one person utilizing a very, VERY small space did not seem practical. The coach seats were only about 60% full the day of my travel. I had planned my departure date for mid-month on a holiday hoping the train would not be very full. That was the case, but IDK if that was pure luck or good planning on my part.
I enjoyed the train ride. Because the train was nowhere near full, I had two reclining chairs to myself and could easily curl up and sleep on those seats once both of the leg rests were in their full, upright position and the seat backs were reclined. I had taken along a firm, long, half-round body pillow to wedge in along the armrest of the window seat I had requested, thinking I would need that for comfort. I did not know until the train had boarded that I would have the whole 2 seats to myself, so I really didn't need that pillow. I had a small cooler with beverages, a bag of snacks, my bed pillow, and a few other creature comforts packed, as well as a small carry on containing some jewelry, electronics and medications.
I was surprised that the auto-train allows people to take their own alcoholic beverages on board. Quite a few people had done so. The prices of the 1/2 bottles of wine and other drinks were reasonable though; no price gouging IMO.
I had requested an upper level coach seat, located mid-train and mid car. I received just that. Because the car I was in was many cars back away from the engine, the engine whistle was barely noticeable to me (especially once I was onboard for awhile). Anyone who has never taken a train before needs to be aware of the very frequent use of the whistle for crossings (something I knew about, but just didn't realize how frequent it would be). I got used to the rhythmic swaying/bumping of the train. Since I was mid-train, this provided a smooth ride most of the time. The only thing I did not find comfortable regarding the seat is the length of the elevating leg rest hit me about mid calf and the pressure of this really bothered me. I did not try to sit that way because of discomfort and luckily, I did not have to!
I did not pay the extra $90(?) for "priority off loading" of my car. It took just over 1 hour for me to get my car. It would most likely have taken considerably longer had the train been at maximum coach capacity or nearly so.
I really loved the auto-train. but probably won't ride it again. These are my primary reasons:
1). When I booked on-line it said I would be able to choose a seat after paying and receiving a confirmation. This is NOT true of coach seating on the auto-train! In fact, as many of you know, selection of your seat is first come / first served on most Amtrak trains. Since I learned after booking/confirmation that I could not reserve a seat, I arrived at the Lorton station a full 3 hours before departure. I did not want to get stuck in an aisle seat, or near the engine. or in the bottom level. The only way to insure a seat that I preferred was to arrive early. The gates where you drive up to enter the auto check-in open at 12:30. I believe pre-boarding of anyone over 65, handicapped, etc. began at @ 3:00. The rest of us were allowed to board by no later than 3:30 if I remember correctly (sorry, I wasn't looking at the clock every minute). So the need to arrive so early meant that another 2-2.5 hours of time was added to my journey to sit around in the waiting area. Yuck!
2). The only animals allowed on board are true service animals. I opted to not travel with my dog, but he is my buddy and I almost cancelled my ticket because I was having anxiety becasue of leaving him behind on this trip. I usually drive, and am the lone driver to the far Southwestern Gulf Coast of FL, so that is a very long trip for one driver! Despite that, I would rather take an extra day driving to FL and staying in a hotel since I can take my dog with me.
b243923
Service Attendant
Good report, thanks for posting
I feel you about the dog. Hard to leave them.
Has the Auto Train changed its protocol for sleeper passengers choosing to eat in their rooms? I have a friend who is currently on the SB AT. She was told by her SCA that since she did not request that her meal be delivered to her room when she checked in, she would have to eat in the dining car. She is elderly and medically compromised and wants to avoid close contact with strangers. She was not asked at checkin nor was she informed of this new rule. She generally travels on the AT twice a year and has never experienced this "rule."
I don't know what the protocol is, but it sounds to me like she's being victimized by a lazy SCA. Even if she was supposed to request it at checkin, there's nothing to prevent the SCA from accommodating her.
I get so angry when I read a report like the one referenced here. Just a simple oversight with a simple fix as joelkfla recounted. I have traveled Amtrak for its 50+ years and the passenger railroads for another +15 before Amtrak. To treat a passenger inappropriately--especially one who may have reasonable special needs--is almost unforgiveable. I know that many Amtrak service employees have treated their employment as a special privilege, but this "it's my railroad, I'll do as I please" attitude seems to have become more prevalent and significant is the last three or so years. Is there an answer?? Based on recent reporting in this discussion group of adversarial incidents makes me personally for the first time since 1966 not care about taking another train ride.
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I thought I did hear on this particular route the last time I took it that one is supposed to specifically request to not eat in the dining car as a special accommodation - which is kind of ironic because not too long ago they weren’t allowing anyone to eat in the dining room. One would think though it’s not a big deal to accommodate someone if they didn’t know. This is one of those incidents that should be reported to CR.
As others have said, this is a Lazy SCA who needs to be reported!
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