What To Expect on Amtrak Auto Train

[@computerguyfl]

Tim's take is so much more real than those old train buffs. You're absolutely right about security - I am sure cartels have known about the lack of security for years.

[@admtim]

@@computerguyfl hmmmm

[@philrogers8160]

Been on a few trips. The worst was a northern trip that arrived in Sanford VERY late. The dinner times were late during the departure. We arrived in Florence at 6am. We finally got food around noon time that was a mixture of dinners still available and breakfast cereal. The lesson on this trip was to schedule your arrival for a planned event at least 24 hr earlier.

[@admtim]

I can see how a schedule mishap could snowball. A LOT of folks brought their own food and coolers.

[@fitymi5292]

Very interesting history lesson, thank you. I too am a little worried about the lack of security.

[@nougatnutty]

Yo this looks like something you see on the Travel Channel!

[@admtim]

@@nougatnutty the Admiral has great aspirations

[@lock.robster]

Georgia is the WORST! $200 ticket for 8 miles over the speed limit? NEVER driving through there again!!!!!

[@admtim]

Heard lots of stories about South Carolina as well. Hate that drive!

[@marvinthemartian6788]

It’s been years since I drove through Georgia. Always saw tons of police near the cities nabbing people

[@admtim]

@@marvinthemartian6788 they sit by the border!

[@lock.robster]

Gene Garfield later became the chairman of maglev corporation and drove that into the ground too. Heard he had his own private rail car that was attached to the end of the auto train. Bro was extra

[@admtim]

True story. Bro was the king of opulence!

[@computerguyfl]

@@admtim no man YOU are the king of opulence LMAO

[@fitymi5292]

So gangster

[@RVail623]

The reason they can't run an Auto Train between, for instance, Boston area and Florida is that all of the tunnels and underpasses were designed for single-level train cars from 150+ years ago. They could create a new Auto Train route that bypasses those height-limitations. For example: Niagara Falls, NY - Cleveland & Cincinnati, OH, going directly south over Norfolk Southern freight tracks to Chattanooga, TN - Atlanta, GA - Jacksonville, FL - Sanford, FL. Further west, they could create new "Snowbird" destination endpoints of either San Antonio, TX and/or Phoenix, AZ.

[@admtim]

@@RVail623 interesting ! we could actually invest in American infrastructure and build rails parallel to current interstate highways.

[@wendymasters367]

Would love to see what you guys could produce with a team and a budget 😊

[@admtim]

@@wendymasters367 right?

[@CJaguar265]

Great job with this video

[@admtim]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@Kevin_Rhodes]

I did the AutoTrain once, northbound. Unless you can afford a roomette, expect to be uncomfortable. 17-18hrs overnight in a coach seat sucks, and the available food for coach passengers is terrible and quite expensive.

[@admtim]

@@Kevin_Rhodes all true facts! Still recovering from those horrible coach seats

[@mlbrooks4066]

I took it many times to visit my brother in FL. None of the trips were late - one arrived so early that we had to wait for employees to get to the station before we could detrain and get our cars. Once my car was the very last to get unloaded in Virginia. Gotta say, an empty auto train station is a spooky place.

[@admtim]

@@mlbrooks4066 ours was one of the last ones off as well. We were there so late we saw the line of people waiting to get on the next train

[@tdadp]

I’ve done the trip a few times. They really need to step up their game at least like the airlines does with with app motives and tv and WiFi .. there’s no excuse at this point in the game that they can do a whole lot more to make the trip more enjoyable

[@admtim]

@@tdadp truth!

[@philnaegely]

auto train has wifi and unlike a plane you can get up and move around.

[@tdadp]

@@philnaegely sure fools me .. more like sailor than satellite.

[@BobZalenski-k4o]

And the wifi is some what questionable. But does work.

[@admtim]

@@BobZalenski-k4o it had a few hiccups, but our cell service filled in the blanks.

[@iankravitz5723]

Why is the Auto Train profitable? Probably because it's considered to be a freight train. At half a mile long, it's a freighter. The auto-racks are carrying freight, in the form of motor vehicles. Although by federal law, passenger trains have priority, that is rarely the case, in practice.

[@admtim]

@@iankravitz5723 interesting

[@MrNorth69]

The Air Braking system is even set up like a freight train

[@garylarson6386]

i wont ever take a long distance amtrak train without a sleeper

[@admtim]

@@garylarson6386 ye are very wise! It was AWFUL in coach.

[@mlbrooks4066]

It's not so bad. You get to see some of the hilarious positions other people sleep in. The snoring is a pain but for one night, the entertainment might be worth it.

[@admtim]

@ LMAO true! And some of the snoring is comical also. I should’ve recorded some of that

[@johnmuller4014]

One thing about the train from Tucson to LA: it is so cold in there you could hang meat. Bring warm clothing and a blanket, even in summer.

[@admtim]

Excellent tip! Thank you so much

[@philnaegely]

there's a break in one of the carolinas to switch out the crew. NB train it's like 1 in the morning. the conducter told me and i was like alright i'll come out with you for some air

[@admtim]

@@philnaegely it was quick - less than 10 minutes

[@kswck]

Is it cheap? No. Is it comfortable? Well, I needed a nap when I got off. is it convenient? Yes. Better than driving another 900 miles. Get the Priority Deboard for your car. Worth the money. Trust me-I have taken it 4 times. And, No. The Wif-Fi doesn't work for the most part. Don't get that Salmon in the dining car-it is dry (they are all kept in a hotbox).

[@admtim]

@@kswck we tried to get the prior priority D board but it has been sold out for weeks. I guess we went during high season when all the snowbirds were traveling

[@qapla]

Decent video. Keep in mind that, just because you didn't see the security measures, doesn't mean there weren't some in place. I'm sure the police are just as aware of the possibilities as the cartels are. And, while some people point out how, though spacious, the seats in coach are not the most comfortable to sleep in, they are a lot more comfortable than the seats in your car for sleeping - plus, the person driving doesn't get to sleep if they are driving the car. As for cost, if you are a single traveler and need your car, it doesn't seem to be much more than driving, especially if you stop for the night rather than driving 12 hours straight through - and you don't have to try to stay awake the whole trip like a person driving does.

[@admtim]

@@qapla DEFINITELY prefer to have someone else do the driving - especially through those southern states! Regarding security, the issue appears to be ZERO pre-screening who (and what) is permitted on the train. No ID check for car drop or retrieval, no ID required to check in for tickets, no scanning of any carry on bags, no metal detectors, and my dash cam showed no one is checking what’s in any of the vehicles. Sadly, some people feel they have nothing to lose. Those are the people we worry about.

[@mlbrooks4066]

I found it was cheaper for me as a single traveler to take the auto train and my car than it was to fly and rent a car in FL for a week. That was some time ago - I'm not sure it still is.

[@admtim]

@@mlbrooks4066 this may still be the case

[@BobZalenski-k4o]

Yes this train goes up and down the east coast. The biggest problem is their train cars are terribly ould and out dated. Both my Late wife and my self used thie train many times. We noticed how much their cars need to be up dated.

[@admtim]

@@BobZalenski-k4o sorry for your loss 😞. The seats definitely could use an upgrade! Everything else seemed to work fine. The staff was excellent. Would like to see some security improvements for the safety of all of us.

[@MrNorth69]

It's Amtrak.. all of the equipment, including the locomotives need to be upgraded/replaced. That's the Federal Government for you

[@HaroldThomas-wx5et]

Nice of him to mention a "nice sit down meal" while he is showing a toilet.

[@admtim]

@@HaroldThomas-wx5et you have to admit that is the most efficient place to eat 🤣