Amtrak runs a special Auto Train service that allows its passengers to take their vehicles ? be they cars, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, boats, or jet-skis ? along with them when they travel along the east coast. This service is convenient for passengers who like to drive themselves around in Florida, as well as for passengers who need to hop around a lot but do not want to spend a lot of money on taxis or tourist vehicles.
The Auto Train travels nonstop between Lorton (Virginia) and Sanford (Florida).
Amtrak Vehicle Limitations
Of course, there are some limitations to the kind of vehicle you can bring along with you. Specifically, cars must not be more than 65" in height; vans and SUVs must be 88 inches or less in height, and all vehicles must have a ground clearance of at least 4 inches.
Practical Tips
Here are a few practical tips if you are planning to take your vehicle along with you on Amtrak's auto train:
The Auto Train departs every day at 4:00 P.M. If you are taking your van or motorcycle, then you must check in by 2:00 P.M.; anything other than vans or motorcycles requires you to check-in no later than 3 P.M. Remember, the Amtrak guys enforce these timings strictly; so take care to reach there in time.
Once you give in your vehicle, leave the key in the ignition and turn off all the alarms.
The Auto Train does not offer checked baggage service and requires passengers to leave their baggage in their vehicles. However, you are allowed to carry two small handbags.
Do not leave any items in the car that you may need for the journey ? for example: medicines, laptop. This is because you cannot access your car during the journey.
There are three dinner sessions on the Auto Train, and the one at 6:30 P.M. is the best. If you don't want to miss this session, then you must check-in by 1 P.M.
Amtrak requires you to bring photo identification when you pick up your ticket and also on the day of departure. So don't forget to carry your passport or your driving license.
Traveling on the Auto Train is an experience by itself. So, go right ahead, book your room on the Auto Train and get ready for some serious fun and frolic, along with friends or family, in sunny Florida!
Cars
Trucks
Motorcycles
Bicycles
Ships
Submarines
Aviation
Ballooning
Amtrak:
Passenger service in the United States was greatly improved during the 1930s, when lightweight, streamlined cars, air conditioning, and faster schedules were introduced. Following World War II, however, the passenger train began a long decline in popularity. By the late 1960s, after the railroads lost almost all mail and express business, the end of passenger service appeared near. Congress responded by creating the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) in 1971 to assume responsibility for intercity passenger trains throughout the United States. By most standards, Amtrak succeeded in reviving passenger train service. The number of passengers carried annually rose from 16.6 million in 1972 to 20.2 million in 1986. By 1982, Amtrak had replaced almost all of the aging passenger cars and locomotives it had inherited from several railroads with new or completely rebuilt equipment. Besides owning the rolling stock, Amtrak employs most onboard personnel and pays railroads for the use of their tracks and facilities. Deficits amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars per year are met by congressional appropriations.
In 1976 Amtrak purchased trackage between Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., from what was then the Penn Central and began to upgrade the property for speeds of at least 190 km/h (about 120 mph). By 2001 Amtrak operated some 440 locomotives and almost 2,200 passenger cars over more than 35,000 route km (22,000 route mi) across the United States. Amtrak carried over 24 million passengers in 2001. A typical overnight Amtrak train includes a baggage car, several coaches, one or more sleeping cars, a dining car, and a lounge car, or a car that combines both dining and lounge facilities. In the western United States, most Amtrak cars contain two levels of coach seats or sleeping space.
Commuter train service around such cities as Boston, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco also underwent a renaissance in the 1970s. Old cars were replaced, ridership increased, and most railroads were relieved of responsibility for operating deficits by public agencies.
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