Having the Fios 400 mb internet service installed on Friday, make the Zoom sessions actually zoom for a change....playing videos will be much easier....First Alt Power (mostly solar PV) class kicks off next Monday....
Auto Train Meals
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Cho Cho Charlie
Engineer
My apologies, somehow I put this in the wrong thread......as far as I know, they don't have even have wi-fi on the AT! Of course, I don't remember where I intended to put this.....
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Anyone take a 2019 Buick Enclave on the AutoTrain? Spec. says it's 78.8 "without" mirrors. 
I tried to measure, and with mirrors fully extended I get 91". With both mirrors retracted I get 81"
I read the vehicle allowance to be 84". That's cutting it close --- Can I assume the drivers have handled just about every vehicle, and that they know to retract the mirrors ?? Should I panic ??
I tried to measure, and with mirrors fully extended I get 91". With both mirrors retracted I get 81"
I read the vehicle allowance to be 84". That's cutting it close --- Can I assume the drivers have handled just about every vehicle, and that they know to retract the mirrors ?? Should I panic ??
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Why not retract them yourself when you park at the loading area?Anyone take a 2019 Buick Enclave on the AutoTrain? Spec. says it's 78.8 "without" mirrors.
I tried to measure, and with mirrors fully extended I get 91". With both mirrors retracted I get 81"
I read the vehicle allowance to be 84". That's cutting it close --- Can I assume the drivers have handled just about every vehicle, and that they know to retract the mirrors ?? Should I panic ??
If I remember, they load and unload driving forward, the mirrors being folded would be much less of a problem than if there was backing involved.
RichieRich
Lead Service Attendant
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Doubt the Buick is wider then my Yukon XL that has never had a problem in 10 years. Well...do retract the mirrors yourself as if you don't, they tend to just grab and fold by hand which causes havoc on the mechanism. They're made to take it, but you'd have to auto-fold once-or-twice. The guys do have to be able to walk past the loaded vehicles, as seen in the video above.
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I have a 2019 Toyota Sienna raised WC Van. I had similar concerns but it was loaded on. It's a contracted company that seems to know what their doing. When I booked they told me there would be no problems.Anyone take a 2019 Buick Enclave on the AutoTrain? Spec. says it's 78.8 "without" mirrors.
I tried to measure, and with mirrors fully extended I get 91". With both mirrors retracted I get 81"
I read the vehicle allowance to be 84". That's cutting it close --- Can I assume the drivers have handled just about every vehicle, and that they know to retract the mirrors ?? Should I panic ??
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I had a Buick Enclave and I took it to FL and back several times using the AutoTrain. Never had any issues relative to the size of the vehicle.
For those lacking either the capability or inclination to measure the widths of their vehicles with mirrors in various configurations, this website may of help: Car dimensions of all makes with size comparison tools I think most owner's manuals also have those dimensions. The one for my 2019 Ford Ranger gives three width dimensions: without mirrors; mirrors folded; mirrors extended. If my vehicle was on the large side, not listed in the above link, had non-folding mirrors and the only width dimension found said or illustrated nothing about mirrors (i.e. just stated "Width = 82.2"" I'd be hesitant to conclude it's OK for the AT.
If no definitive published data can be found, my only peace of mind would come from a good measurement. And depending on the vehicle, that good measurement may be difficult to make - especially if with the mirrors folded, other parts of the vehicle appear wider.
If no definitive published data can be found, my only peace of mind would come from a good measurement. And depending on the vehicle, that good measurement may be difficult to make - especially if with the mirrors folded, other parts of the vehicle appear wider.
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RichieRich
Lead Service Attendant
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Did I miss them? Didn't see the most popular large SUVs: Yukon, Denali, Suburban.
Try this: pull in to a garage, stop right at the door frame....measure mirror edge to doorframe on each side...subtract from doorframe width. Height: same doorframe, open the sunroof, reach up with a yardstick, measure from top of frame to sunroof, subtract from height of doorframe.
Try this: pull in to a garage, stop right at the door frame....measure mirror edge to doorframe on each side...subtract from doorframe width. Height: same doorframe, open the sunroof, reach up with a yardstick, measure from top of frame to sunroof, subtract from height of doorframe.
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Dakota 400
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RichieRich
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LOL. I don't have a garage, so I laid an 8' 2x4 across the roof, then measured from the driveway up to the end of the 2x4. Wanna get really anal = measure both sides and get an average between them if you don't think the 2x4 is level. That's math...they don't teach practical math anymore. Width = hold the 2x4 vertically on the edge of the mirror...put a brick on the ground next to it (both sides)...measure the distance between bricks! This should give you a height & width you can live with.
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Thank You !
When's the last time you did that ??
Hahaha - Buick not listed in the drop down for makes (so much for "all makes" )
I like the doorway technique, only you have to be sure you are perfectly perpendicular within the frame, and my garage door is 18 feet wide, so there's room for some play in the measurement tape. But I may try this to compare to my measurements from yesterday...
...& thanks for yet another idea.
I tried running a tape through the front, with the windows down and mirrors in each position.
If correct, I'm at 81" with mirrors folded in, and 91" with them extended.
I also tried to drop a straight (plumb) line from the mirrors edges, and marked the garage floor on both sides, and also got the 91" extended.
Thanks to everyone for the assistance.
It's puzzling why the Buick site only has one external width measurement listed , and it's 78.8" "without mirrors".
Who the heck has a car without mirrors ??
Careless drivers?Who the heck has a car without mirrors ??
RichieRich
Lead Service Attendant
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Whoever made that quote: "Always look forward and never look back" ! LOLWho the heck has a car without mirrors ??
Dakota 400
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I had some size concerns regarding my 2020 Envision (which is the "Mama Bear" in the Bear Family; the Enclave is the "Papa Bear".) There were no Auto Train able size issues as it turned out and I don't think the Enclave is much wider, if any, than the Envision.
The issue arise because even within a model, different series often have different mirrors, and they may or may not fold or retract the same way depending on which type. Always play it safe, and check your vehicle. The greatest likelihood is you will be fine, but it doesn't hurt to know for sure. Of course, lots of folks have oversized mirrors these days, for boat or trailer towing.
Won’t be too long before all cars have mirrors replaced by small cameras...Who the heck has a car without mirrors ??
My Next AutoTrain curiosity:
What is a typical shift for the crew?
Do some stay on duty for an entire 24 hr. run, and alternate days off in Lorton & Sanford?
Do most live midway, and swap out at that point??
I'd really like to know how they staff it 24/7/365.
THANKS!
What is a typical shift for the crew?
Do some stay on duty for an entire 24 hr. run, and alternate days off in Lorton & Sanford?
Do most live midway, and swap out at that point??
I'd really like to know how they staff it 24/7/365.
THANKS!
Cho Cho Charlie
Engineer
I assume it is like any LD train. For example, the SCA is technically on-duty for the entire run. In actuality, some are easily available late at night if needed, and some go into deep hibernation.
Dakota 400
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My experience was the SCA was on the train the entire trip, but informed us that she would retire for the night at 11:00 P. M. Whether someone would cover for her, I don't know. I had not need to request any service during the night. The personnel in the dining car also remained for the entire trip.
