This is one of my favorite railroad videos on Youtube. The Auto Train has to be the most awesome passenger train running in America today, even more so than the Acela. And I love her engineer's drawl as he calls signals--quite the Good Ol Boy, ain't he?
No, the cars belong to the passengers. You show up with your car and it's loaded into one of the carriers. You make the trip up front in a passenger car while the autos ride in the back in one of the carriers. They're unloaded on the other end and you've traveled 855 miles without using any gas in your tank.
@killerbees177 Yes it's a very fast and convenient ride. They have improved over the years, now all of your meals are cooked on the train in their entirety, and you save so much money in gas. i take the trip all the time.
Well the purpose of the Auto Train is to move both passengers and their vehicles between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. The passenger cars are always directly behind the engines because the engines supply not only the traction, but as well as HEP, or the electricity for the passenger cars. The Auto Carriers are on the rear because they do not require HEP.
It is possible that the second heritage car behind the diner was a heritage lounge car. I don't know if any of those are still around, but that would make sense if they are.
I think that is a first for the Auto Train to have at least one Sightseeing/Lounge Car. I don't think I have ever seen the Auto Train with a lounge car. Another thing is, do you think they have enough diner cars or what. 4?
The Auto Train has been running on occassion with a Sightseer since at least 2002. When AT lost 2 lounges due to the derailment (of their 5) they were forced to use Sightseer Lounges. Lounge 33035 has actually been converted for AT use and has tables upstairs. I also only count 3 diners (1 sleeper 2 coach) in the consist. It was heavy travel season based on the number of carriers and the use of three engines.
thats 38 cars all together 15 passengers coaches and 23 boxes.
56yuoi 1 year ago
Haha, Good ol' boy indeed.
ke4cpc 1 year ago
This is one of my favorite railroad videos on Youtube. The Auto Train has to be the most awesome passenger train running in America today, even more so than the Acela. And I love her engineer's drawl as he calls signals--quite the Good Ol Boy, ain't he?
JoeRailfan 2 years ago
He IS a good ole boy, I know!
1bratella 2 years ago
Nice! 5 stars and favorited.
gp40mc 2 years ago
No this is Benson Junction, FL just north of Sanford, FL
battalion51 4 years ago
So the auto train, are those passengers' cars or did Amtrak get in the car transporting business like Union Pacific
killerbees177 2 years ago
No, the cars belong to the passengers. You show up with your car and it's loaded into one of the carriers. You make the trip up front in a passenger car while the autos ride in the back in one of the carriers. They're unloaded on the other end and you've traveled 855 miles without using any gas in your tank.
battalion51 2 years ago
@killerbees177 Yes it's a very fast and convenient ride. They have improved over the years, now all of your meals are cooked on the train in their entirety, and you save so much money in gas. i take the trip all the time.
AmtrakFlorida 1 year ago
Something is wrong with that crossing bell.
THEFINALHAZARD 4 years ago
No I think the "issue" you are hearing is the fact that one side of the crossing has a different bell than the other.
battalion51 4 years ago
No, listen to the electric bell. Every three dings or so, it goes "Bing bing brlirng bing bing brlirng"
THEFINALHAZARD 4 years ago
why does the auto train have passenger cars then auto racks
akatrain 4 years ago
Well the purpose of the Auto Train is to move both passengers and their vehicles between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. The passenger cars are always directly behind the engines because the engines supply not only the traction, but as well as HEP, or the electricity for the passenger cars. The Auto Carriers are on the rear because they do not require HEP.
battalion51 4 years ago
Why does the Silver Star have two diners? If one was deadheading, it wouldn't be in the middle of the train.
garginshmunkle 4 years ago
My guess is that since there was no lounge available they used a Diner as a substitute (note only 4 Amfleets on the rear).
battalion51 4 years ago
It is possible that the second heritage car behind the diner was a heritage lounge car. I don't know if any of those are still around, but that would make sense if they are.
sasilv1129 4 years ago
All of the Heritage Lounge cars have long since been removed from active service.
battalion51 4 years ago
I think that is a first for the Auto Train to have at least one Sightseeing/Lounge Car. I don't think I have ever seen the Auto Train with a lounge car. Another thing is, do you think they have enough diner cars or what. 4?
trainsmaniac2009 4 years ago
The Auto Train has been running on occassion with a Sightseer since at least 2002. When AT lost 2 lounges due to the derailment (of their 5) they were forced to use Sightseer Lounges. Lounge 33035 has actually been converted for AT use and has tables upstairs. I also only count 3 diners (1 sleeper 2 coach) in the consist. It was heavy travel season based on the number of carriers and the use of three engines.
battalion51 4 years ago
Oh! okay. That is all I wanted to know. Thanks for the info. Nice video!
trainsmaniac2009 4 years ago
dam that Auto Train is huge!!
buffbrad 4 years ago
Keep 'em coming please!
AMTK161 4 years ago