Has anybody used it to transport a C7 GS ? To Florida or from Florida? Any problems, likes or dislikes. As much fun as it is driving the Vette it is also nice to take a brake from driving it at times.

 

Not my C-7. But, I did use Amtrack with my C-6 vert several years ago and was pleasantly surprised with the treatment they gave my car. I traveled from Sanford, Fl. to Lorton, Va. with no problems. I found it well worth the extra $ to get first on first off option. Of course I watched the loading process very closely. They do a walk around with a camera for every car but with my Vette they went very slowly up & down and around several times. Yes, I was still nervous but was very pleased when we arrived unscathed in Virginia.

Semper Fi,
Ron

 

Several of the folks in the GS Registry have used the Autotrain from Florida to get to a terminus near Carlisle, PA. If you are a member of GSR, check in there, if not a member, I highly recommend joining. Fun group and they do several events every year. Lots of activity in FL as the President lives there.

 

We have taken the Amtrak AutoTrain both ways many, many times. While I have never taken my C7, I have seen several C7s going on and off. I did speak with one of the owners and he said that as long as your car hasn't been lowered beyond stock, there are no issues. The loading and unloading crews treated his Corvette very well - in fact, the car behind his was a Bentley. I have never had an issue with any vehicle I have taken on the AutoTrain, and it's a great way to travel. For us, we live in Central NY so we have to drive down to Lorton, VA outside of Washington to get on the train, but fortunately one of our three sons lives about 40 minutes from Lorton - so we drive down, and spend a night or two with them and the grandkids. The next day we take a leisurely drive to the train and wake up in Florida. Sure beats driving I-95, which we did for many years. I swear I knew every blade of grass between New York and Florida. I do recommend paying the extra fee for Priority Offloading - otherwise its a crap shoot and you could be waiting up to an hour and a half for your car. We get the bedroom accommodation which has its own bathroom, but the roomette with just the seats that make up into two bunks is OK too. The coach seating with the airline-type seats that recline is not that great - the seats are fine, but it's noisy with all the other people getting up and moving around all night. Tough to sleep. In the compartments, you close the sliding door and you're in your own little Harry Potter train compartment, They serve the meals in your compartment now due to COVID, and the food isn't bad. In the morning you go down to the dining car and pick up whatever you want for breakfast and take it back to your compartment. All in all, it's a very good experience and sure beats driving. I wouldn't worry about your Corvette - as I said, I've seen quite a few go on and off the train with no issues. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

From the above and other reports I've heard sounds like Amtrak Auto Train knows what they are doing.
Seems some of the auto transport companies could benefit from a lesson or two from them.

 

I can remember reading a few threads about the Auto Train that were posted in the past. You may want to do a search, in perhaps the C5 and C6 sections, to see if a hit comes up on this topic.

 

Is it possible to use your car cover on trip down? I would be going solo so storing it wouldn’t be an issue.

 

No, I don't believe they would allow that. I've never seen a car with a cover - but you could always ask.

 

Thanks.

 

Looking at a YouTube video it seem that they are enclosed in a container car. Maybe not 100%, but it looks pretty good. They put a magnetic number on the drivers door. Not sure how that works if the door is plastic. Here is the YouTube link to them loading the cars.

 

It sure would be nice to have something like that leaving from the Midwest (Chicago) and arriving in either Florida or Arizona.

 

Spend the money for a sleeper!
👍