Auto Train
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 37
From: Laurel Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I priced this about 6 months ago and it seems to me the price for a round trip, sleeper compartment for 1 person was around 1200 bucks. Hmmm
eddie
eddie
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Located in Tampa Florida. Can you advise on when the best top down weather would be - not too cool and not to warm. I was thinking of working my way up to Ottawa around a mid to late June time frame. I've got an 06 LeMans blue 3Lt convertible with Z51 performance option. Also would be grateful if you could provide any Corvette Club contacts in and around Ottawa and Toronto. My thinking is to time the visit so that I could attend any special events and make some new corvette friends
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Auto Train
To those of you with comments on how long it takes to to get to the destination using Auto Train - well your really missing the point. You don't take this transportation mode in order to race up to your destination. You take it to because its a relaxing way to minimize the amount of stress you would have on the trip. As mentioned by others, its also a great way to meet new people and to make friends along the way while your sipping your wine and watching the country side.
To me that is worth a substantial monetary premium. But then again to each his own.
To me that is worth a substantial monetary premium. But then again to each his own.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: Tampa FL
Oops, missed that. They put the full Amtrak system on the Auto Train page so that is what I tried to schedule. You are correct that the Auto Train is a single non-stop route from DC to Orlando and back. I wonder why the federal government funding Amtrak would have such limited service. 
So the route I quoted was the best Amtrak could do for simple passenger service. No wonder no one takes the train. Even Chicago to New York City is more than 20 hours for a trip that doesn't take more than 12 hours by car.
And as far as avoiding the TSA - http://blog.tsa.gov/2011/02/screenin...-savannah.html But the highways aren't immune either - http://www.theatlantic.com/national/...by-tsa/247243/
So the route I quoted was the best Amtrak could do for simple passenger service. No wonder no one takes the train. Even Chicago to New York City is more than 20 hours for a trip that doesn't take more than 12 hours by car.
And as far as avoiding the TSA - http://blog.tsa.gov/2011/02/screenin...-savannah.html But the highways aren't immune either - http://www.theatlantic.com/national/...by-tsa/247243/
Do the math based on the ticket prices quoted a few posts above.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
Located in Tampa Florida. Can you advise on when the best top down weather would be - not too cool and not to warm. I was thinking of working my way up to Ottawa around a mid to late June time frame. I've got an 06 LeMans blue 3Lt convertible with Z51 performance option. Also would be grateful if you could provide any Corvette Club contacts in and around Ottawa and Toronto. My thinking is to time the visit so that I could attend any special events and make some new corvette friends
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Chester County
Been there and done that, but not in the Vette. Took the Grand Cherokee SRT8 down last year and had to get two sleeper cars. One for the family and the other for the mom-in-law. Relaxing ride in each direction, but not cheap. Don't recall the price just remember a bit of sticker shock. We actually watched them load the cars in Va. No issues and would do it in the Vette with no worries.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Possibly because the federal government realized that an auto train traveling between two of the top 10 tourist destinations in the United States might be somewhat profitable, as it is judging by the ridership.
Do the math based on the ticket prices quoted a few posts above.
Do the math based on the ticket prices quoted a few posts above.
The ticket price is not actually that much higher than passenger service considering you are also taking a 2 ton car. Yet Amtrak is bankrupt. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...nces/?page=all Know why? Look at the tax structure for railroads and how passenger and freight service are handled by the IRS. Rail service in Europe and Asia does very well but not in the US simply because of government policy.
Last edited by FortMorganAl; Jan 21, 2012 at 10:39 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 21
From: Arlington VA
Yep, it was this past Christmas Day. We got there not too long before they started boarding. My GS is SSB with factory chrome wheels. Was one of the last loaded in Lorton and one of the first unloaded in Sanford.
The only time they ask for the waiver is when you have a vehicle they believe is lower than 4", which of course is any Vette. This is due to possible under carriage damage.
Wendell
The only time they ask for the waiver is when you have a vehicle they believe is lower than 4", which of course is any Vette. This is due to possible under carriage damage.
Wendell
2) I took my Vette on the exact same trip Christmas day '2011. Victory Red '07 Coupe. No waiver was asked or signed.
3) Mine was also one of the last to go on.. and was one of the first to come off when we arrived in Sanford.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Valley Region, NY The "sonoma/napa" of the Northeast~~~~~ Are we there yet?
St. Jude Donor '08
any more info on this as it relates to our cars?
How long to load and unload? How do they do it... do you drive it on, they drive it on? Do you disarm your alarm system??
What about ground clearance in a c6?
Thinking of doing this in late Sept. and would appreciate any info/additional inside tips
Thanks
How long to load and unload? How do they do it... do you drive it on, they drive it on? Do you disarm your alarm system??
What about ground clearance in a c6?
Thinking of doing this in late Sept. and would appreciate any info/additional inside tips
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
