FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Checking out the Auto Train

Sep 18, 2023 | 6:25 pm

#14

an_asker

Join Date: Sep 2016

Location: Central Florida

Programs: UA, IHG

Posts: 466

While driving through downtown Orlando, we saw this Amtrak pass us by, going towards Tampa

When we arrived at the Sanford station, we were greeted by this sight. Our train - a small piece of it, to be precise - was off to our right.

I vaguely remembered that the station is not a 24/7 station (needless to say); a few months ago, we had stopped by it right after 5 pm and everything was closed, the train having already departed

As I stayed undecisive, Amtrak staff were beckoning us to come forward

So, we followed instructions and moseyed forward

One, and only one, member of a group was permitted to come in to check-in. I have no idea how strictly they enforce this, but as son had purchased the tickets under his name, I let him go and check both of us in, which took hardly a couple of minutes. By this time, we had already been relieved of our car and given a receipt for it. A member of Amtrak staff went all around the car taking a nice video for CYA purposes.

The rear view of one of the pieces of the train that were parked. If I recall correctly, there were two of these, one on either side of the platform structure (I say this because in most countries, they would be counted as two platforms). Each coach was identified by a number and we were instructed which coach was ours (based on the check-in information). As it turned out, this was our very coach. The three coaches here would be attached to the rear of the ones on the platform to the right.

The engine used for shunting the coaches around

The freight coaches which carried all of the vehicles would be attached to the back of our coach.

One more view of the Amtrak station front. I was walking around - where permitted - taking photos and videos (I was not permitted to go too close to the car loading area)

Another view of the coaches with some Florida scenery thrown in

One of the auto coaches - from afar (I could have gone a bit closer than this, but not too much)

The waiting hall

Another view of the waiting hall

Our two huge locomotives

I didn't face any opposition when I came to the front of the locomotives for this nice shot with the clear blue Sunshine State skies

More trainfanning...

... brothers in arms :-)

Menu on tap for folks who have paid for the privilege

Meanwhile, the cars were still in the process of being loaded

While I was still walking around, boarding was announced. Unlike Europe (and definitely unlike India), this is a very closely monitored process. I had asked son to message me when it was time for me to get back in (i.e., when they made the final boarding call)....

... and when I got his message, I took one final photo of the auto coaches which had been almost completely loaded by now and went in - he was the only passenger left in the waiting area and was relieved to see me walk in.

In a few minutes, we were inside (aka imprisoned, because we had been informed that once inside, we weren't going to come out until we reached Lorton), but not before we had taken a few selfies outside. For the next few minutes, this was the view from the back of our coach.

A view of the upper deck of our coach

Shortly, I saw the auto coaches being pushed towards us and knew that my beautiful rear view was going away in a couple more minutes

Once the entire train was assembled, the road that crosses the station was impassable. I noticed a couple of cars that - unaware or not - waited for a few minutes each, then made a U-turn and went someplace else

Road blocked by train

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