Amtrak Auto Train Loading and Leaving Lorton Virginia to Sanford, Florida | Railfan Rowan

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  • Опубліковано 25 кві 2015
  • Amtrak Auto Train Loads and Leaves Lorton, Virginia | Northern Virginia Railfan
    I spent a day with my grandfather railfanning the Amtrak Auto Train yard in Lorton, Virginia. The train travels up and down the I-95 corridor, passing on CSX railroad mainline track most of the journey, through places like Folkston, GA
    One day I will film part 2: The riding experience!
    === Train Information ===
    Date: 3/30/15
    Location: Lorton, Virginia
    Train Number: P053
    Engine number(s):
    - P42DC #832
    - P42DC #814
    Cars: 50 (17 sleepers, 33 autoracks)
    Direction: South
    Destination: Sanford, Florida
    © 2015 Railfan Rowan
    Tags:
    Amtrak, auto, train, car, review, reviewing, video, lorton, Virginia, VA, Sanford, Florida, FL, Washington, DC, load, loading, leaves, leaving, crew, change, swap,
    railroad, trains, longest, passenger, railfan, rowan, derailment,
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 813

  • @supakat1835
    @supakat1835 4 роки тому +35

    Amtrak needs to have this service near every major city.

  • @Viper-CT
    @Viper-CT 2 роки тому +6

    13:19 Lol Random Car alarm goes off, lmao! XD

  • @supercuda1950
    @supercuda1950 2 роки тому +10

    The cars are loaded and unloaded by a contractor. I got to talk to him at supper on the Auto Train. Great person who takes pride in the job he does. The crew dives your car like it was their own personal car.
    this is the only Auto Train in the US (due to clearance issues on other lines) and in operation is the longest passenger train in the world. You can bring your personal beverage and snacks, overindulge, and don't have to worry about driving home. Very relaxing and you see a part of the country you normally don't see.

  • @tonymazz9912
    @tonymazz9912 2 роки тому +18

    Thank you for this and the hard work capturing all the different views. I'm going in September for the first time. The power of the engine is amazing to pull all that weight....Great video!

  • @christopherrasmussen8718
    @christopherrasmussen8718 4 роки тому +2

    My mom took the Auto Train multiple times to visit Florida. The last time she took it they banged up her car and it as drama getting it fixed. I drove her the last few years. I like to try it one day. Hope it hangs in. It’s not cheap.

  • @carlwegert691
    @carlwegert691 3 роки тому +5

    Does anyone remember Amtrak's old saying in their commercials in the 80's "All Aboard Amtrak!" or is it just me.

  • @icecold1950
    @icecold1950 2 роки тому +2

    Rowan this is a great video. I'm just seeing it for the first time Oct 11, 2021. This video is from Apr 26, 2015 and it's about at 2,500,000 views now. I can't believe with all the videos I've watched of yours this is the first time I've seen this one. Better late than never I guess. To God Be The Glory.

  • @amtrakfilms139
    @amtrakfilms139 4 роки тому +3

    i would love to take this train some day. thanks for posting!

  • @Thomas1980
    @Thomas1980 3 роки тому +1

    Great Video!
    Thumbs Up!

  • @WisconsinCentralProductions
    @WisconsinCentralProductions 3 роки тому

    first railfan rowan video i watched. i remember the intro from my early days of watching yt before i had an account

  • @alkorhythmus7886
    @alkorhythmus7886 4 роки тому +1

    A #511 exhaust cloud especially for Greta ! :D

  • @charlesg328
    @charlesg328 2 роки тому

    Came back on the train in September,from Florida.. well worth the money,,pleasant trip,,remember to bring your pillow and blank if you go Coach,,a/c cold at night

  • @LuaTech
    @LuaTech 2 роки тому

    Now UA-cam is using where I live to reccomend videos, I always pass by this bridge whenever I go anywhere.

  • @petelajoie913
    @petelajoie913 3 роки тому +1

    I seen these before in Quebec, Canada at our General Motors manufacturing plant before it shutdown and got torn down in the early 2002 with the Fireflys and Camaros autos

  • @marymcguffin9370
    @marymcguffin9370 3 роки тому +1

    It's 2020 August just found your channel i really enjoy this video. I never knew this ever even existed . very cool ⭐

  • @jackkreacherr9339
    @jackkreacherr9339 4 роки тому

    Thanks for explaining everything, made it way more interesting.

  • @SarahsAtticOfTreasures
    @SarahsAtticOfTreasures 2 роки тому +1

    This is amazing. I have wanted to see the Auto Train since I moved to Florida 15 years ago. Danny keeps promising. LOL

  • @rashp862
    @rashp862 2 роки тому +1

    Really awesome video!!! That video was interesting!

  • @alejandromotaguevara5655
    @alejandromotaguevara5655 4 роки тому

    ME GUSTO MUCHO EL VIDEO AMTRAK AUTO TRAIN LOADING AND LEAVING

  • @swschrader1981
    @swschrader1981 3 роки тому

    I use to work on them train cars there really awsome. in 03 I got hurt really bad and fell out of one 20 feet to the ground on one of them just like that from the second level.. and use to clean them to.

  • @Thomas1980
    @Thomas1980 4 роки тому +1

    Nice Auto Train Loading

  • @ScottTaipaleRail
    @ScottTaipaleRail 4 роки тому

    Great documentary. Like others I found the panicking car amusing.

  • @shambi25
    @shambi25 2 роки тому

    Great video! Thank you!

  • @gkprivate433
    @gkprivate433 2 роки тому

    So you have to give them your car keys and they drive the car. That was not required on every Ferry I have been on. I don't valet park and I would not give these guys my car key. I imagine they leave the key in the car after they park the car, to make it easier for the off loaders on the other end of the trip. Nice idea AMTrak. maybe some other time

  • @TruckEnthusiastYT
    @TruckEnthusiastYT 4 роки тому +1

    I’m two days late to this videos 5 year anniversary

  • @SailorMoonRailfan
    @SailorMoonRailfan 4 роки тому

    You know, I was planning to bring the USA to Auto Train Travel by connecting this one.

  • @scottdammann3603
    @scottdammann3603 3 роки тому

    I love those trans great videos

  • @hirostv
    @hirostv 4 роки тому

    Hello, also came to play. It's a good video.

  • @AJDeere
    @AJDeere 4 роки тому +1

    13:22 is the right timestamp for the car alarm

  • @takeadrive
    @takeadrive 4 роки тому

    Great video. Greetings from Ireland ! :)

  • @januarzaleigh5553
    @januarzaleigh5553 2 роки тому

    Bravo from westborneo indonesie✌️

  • @tractorsmachinesro1405
    @tractorsmachinesro1405 3 роки тому

    Absolute greaaaaaaaaaaat work

  • @Olizimm
    @Olizimm 3 роки тому

    incredible

  • @hush6149
    @hush6149 4 роки тому

    That car be like *”HELP! I’m being stolen!”*

  • @cameronknapp7315
    @cameronknapp7315 4 роки тому

    Bet you first thought the auto train 🚆 sign meant the train 🚆 was automatically driven when you first saw it.

  • @matveisoykin4182
    @matveisoykin4182 3 роки тому +1

    Comments:
    90% alarm
    5% Amtrak
    3% praising Railfan Rowan
    2% other

  • @austin_s
    @austin_s 3 роки тому +2

    13:21 Somebody's car battery was dead when they arrived.

  • @truckingwithpacdawg2202
    @truckingwithpacdawg2202 4 роки тому +5

    I pass by this in my truck and always wanted to see them loaded. Here I am in 2020 finally getting to this vid. Good looks.

  • @ConwayTruckload
    @ConwayTruckload 8 років тому +310

    The alarm was funny. Bet the battery was dead at the end of the trip lol

    • @snakecold6755
      @snakecold6755 7 років тому +2

      shut uppppppp

    • @tichdaddy1
      @tichdaddy1 6 років тому +6

      Thinking the same thing!

    • @42luke93
      @42luke93 5 років тому +16

      ConwayTruckload
      I think car alarms turn off after a few minutes.

    • @NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast
      @NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast 5 років тому +1

      42luke roblox nah. I was at a restaurant near Reagan National airport (ironically about 20 miles north of were this was taken) and I saw a car alarm going off in the parking lot of the airport. We were there for an hour or more and when we left the thing was still going off!

    • @gelaciogarciabarcenas6386
      @gelaciogarciabarcenas6386 5 років тому

      Esta chido ese trabajo

  • @GLee-oe3op
    @GLee-oe3op 6 років тому +54

    It’s impressive how a train of that caliber is pulled by only 2 P42s

  • @karlplasser1314
    @karlplasser1314 4 роки тому +33

    That train looks really impressive. I frequently use the Vienna to Hamburg Nightjet line, so I'm experienced in European Auto Trains and it's really interesting to compare them to the American trains.

  • @wyattreynolds5401
    @wyattreynolds5401 5 років тому +22

    Had always wondered how these types of rail cars were loaded and unloaded. Thanks for the great video!

  • @James-Railyard
    @James-Railyard 5 років тому +74

    I was today years old when I learned how they filled the Car Carriers for trains. I legit never knew this.

  • @noahrosen6205
    @noahrosen6205 6 років тому +59

    never knew that amtrak did this!

  • @countryrailfanproductions2784
    @countryrailfanproductions2784 8 років тому +511

    who else noticed the car alarm going off in the that Auto Rack from 13:36 to 13:40

    • @Transitfan93
      @Transitfan93 8 років тому +45

      +CountryRailfanProductions I wonder how long that alarm went off for, I cant imagine it going off the whole trip

    • @dannygrant3841
      @dannygrant3841 8 років тому +13

      +CountryRailfanProductions i noticed it myself

    • @chessiesystemrailfanman3741
      @chessiesystemrailfanman3741 8 років тому +9

      +CountryRailfanProductions I thought the same thing, lol!!!

    • @rrcrossing5690
      @rrcrossing5690 8 років тому +6

      +CountryRailfanProductions I was about to make that comment too!

    • @michaelwyrostek2666
      @michaelwyrostek2666 8 років тому +5

      +CountryRailfanProductions I did :D

  • @HokieAustin
    @HokieAustin 8 років тому

    Used to take the Auto Train on vacations to Florida as a kid with my family - some of my best memories!

  • @1973ajm
    @1973ajm 8 років тому

    Brings back memories from 1985. I was 12 then and had the privilege of riding auto train. It really is neat how they load up the cars.

  • @cindymarcelle5744
    @cindymarcelle5744 4 роки тому +11

    thank you so much for this video. i'm taking the autotrain this weekend and had been feeling jittery about the process, but this video walked me through everything and i'm feeling quite good about the trip now

  • @aboyejimma5206
    @aboyejimma5206 4 роки тому

    I took the trip to Disney with my family on auto train with our car. We had a sleeping car both ways( going and coming home) to Virginia,what a pleasure. Great staff beautiful experience for the kids great get away from me & my wife. Love Amtrak!!

  • @CoD5Worldaw
    @CoD5Worldaw 4 роки тому +2

    Watching this in 2019. I wasn't familiar with how they did this or the fact this was a thing! So awesome and convenient. Thank you for sharing! Plus the car alarm lmao.

  • @bairives63
    @bairives63 7 років тому +49

    the car alarm at 13:37, hilarious...

    • @42luke93
      @42luke93 5 років тому +2

      Bailey Rives
      The only video clip of a perfect car alarm dopler sound effect (minus the threain noise)

  • @NeoDerGrose
    @NeoDerGrose 7 років тому +1

    Over here in Europe we are allowed to drive on the train ourselfs. At least in Germany and Austria and the shuttle trains in Switzerland and between England and France. For lang distance trains in France it was the same as in the US, but I think there are none left.

  • @nukemanmd
    @nukemanmd 6 років тому +12

    My folks tried this a few times but found it kind of a hassle. Not only do you have to factor in the drive to Lorton, but the drive from Sanford to your Florida destination. I'm pretty sure that most snowbirds don't end their trip in Sanford.
    A more convenient method of avoiding the drive to Florida while being able to have your car there for the winter is to hire an auto transportation carrier. They pick up your car at your home and drop it off at your Florida winter home. Then, you can hop on a flight to Fla at your convenience.
    While the latter doesn't offer much of a cost saving, flying sure beats sitting on a train for 17 plus hours, not including the time it takes to drive to/from Lorton and Sanford, plus loading and unloading times.

  • @whammy3323
    @whammy3323 7 років тому +173

    Wish this was available all over the country and not just the east coast

    • @TheLewistownTrainspotter8102
      @TheLewistownTrainspotter8102 6 років тому +22

      There did used to be another Auto Train service from Sanford to Louisville, but it was done in by poor track conditions and a pair of derailments.

    • @GLee-oe3op
      @GLee-oe3op 6 років тому +12

      It would have a hard time going over mountains

    • @tichdaddy1
      @tichdaddy1 6 років тому +6

      I vaguely remember that Karen. I grew up near Sanford FL and just barely remember taking the 'auto train" from there with my folks..

    • @akashchaudhary4282
      @akashchaudhary4282 6 років тому +3

      whammy3323 hello puppy

    • @williamlewis5114
      @williamlewis5114 5 років тому +7

      With the nation at 20 trillion dollars in debt, we couldn't afford the federal subsidies for a national Auto Train. By the way, last count, your portion of that debt is over $35,000 per family member. Please pay up so we can be a debt free nation again.

  • @mdteletom1288
    @mdteletom1288 5 років тому +6

    Thanks for posting this. One thing we enjoyed when we rode this in 2009 was watching the 2 main locomotives being hooked up to the front of the train. We only took it one way to Florida and drove back. It was a great experience I'll never forget.

  • @NaYawkr
    @NaYawkr 5 років тому +2

    People from Boston and New York heading to Florida know the Worst of the trip is behind them by the time they get far enough south to reach Lorton, Virginia. No reason not to just keep on Driving, the foods better and so are the motel choices.

  • @staffoffice
    @staffoffice 8 років тому

    Pro tip when taking the auto train, if you don't get the sleeper cabin make sure you bring a pillow and blanket you will need it,also try avoiding Jan-Feb time frame as this is the "snow bird" season. The train will be absolutely packed and smell of cheap perfume, hacking and coughing...I'm not kidding!

  • @DrDre-ps4sd
    @DrDre-ps4sd 4 роки тому +1

    So many auto racks. 2 P0DC, 17 sleeper, 33 autoracks

  • @mikethemicguy
    @mikethemicguy 7 років тому +44

    The car alarm at 13:36, lol. I like the music from Unstoppable

    • @jabobthegod
      @jabobthegod 4 роки тому

      Mike The Mic Guy I can’t hear anyth8ng

  • @guintube
    @guintube 7 років тому +1

    Nice video. My uncle who lives in Woodbridge has used this many times...nice to see how it is done...thanks

  • @clarence43232
    @clarence43232 6 років тому +2

    If this type of travel is still out there, I sure would be interested.

  • @NTAD
    @NTAD 5 років тому +3

    Planning on utilizing this for an upcoming trip south and this was very informative. I lived in Hoodbridge for a number of years and even after moving out of there I would often pass the Lorton yard on my way in to work.

  • @joed9491
    @joed9491 6 років тому +4

    Never could figure out why you have to go to Virginia to catch the Auto Train if you're coming from the north and it stops at Sanford, Fl. Seems to me that had they extended it from NY or NJ all the way to Miami, they would've done some big business, especially from all the snowbirds and elderly, many who rely on transport services.

  • @themikeymikechannel2947
    @themikeymikechannel2947 4 роки тому +1

    13:20 - Please do not set my car alarm , *OK SIR* , OMG YOU DIDN'T EVEN LISTEN TO ME!!😢😭
    I asked nicely too.!!😠🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @ybtutube
    @ybtutube 5 років тому +2

    Thanks for putting this vid together and posting it. Planning to take the Auto Train from FL to VA in a few weeks. The vid gave me lots of details I was looking for including (and most importantly to moi) that I can keep my roof rack cargo on top of my Subaru Outback for my drive down to FL. See minute 4:44. So thanks much.

  • @sargentrowell81
    @sargentrowell81 4 роки тому +2

    Holy crap thank you for uploading this and confirming that they take Tahoe's. I was worried they wouldn't take it if they needed to fold in the mirrors.

  • @AS768
    @AS768 9 років тому +12

    Very well documented! Thanks for sharing! I loved how someone's car panic alarm was sounding off inside one of the autoracks! I wonder how long that went in for. I bet with the jarring and shaking of the train that kind of thing happens a lot.

    • @robinstewart6510
      @robinstewart6510 2 роки тому +4

      Since the alarm was likely motion sensing (like mine) and the train is always in motion, the alarm never really turns off (constantly resets and triggered again). However, I've heard the parking crews have small jump starters (compact battery packs) to use at the destinations. They can probably pull a dead car off as well if necessary.

  • @Inimbrium
    @Inimbrium 7 років тому +139

    @13:35 Help! I'm being stolen! :)

  • @tjcassidy2694
    @tjcassidy2694 7 років тому +6

    I rode this during Memorial Day weekend 2009. Coming back to Lorton on the actual memorial Day there was no freight traffic so we were 40 minutes early, so we had to wait for the Lorton crew to show up for work.

    • @williamlewis5114
      @williamlewis5114 5 років тому +1

      So what did you gain? You could have driven it in a lot less time and at a fraction of the cost to you and the tax payers. I don't get it.

    • @Kaust814
      @Kaust814 5 років тому +2

      @@williamlewis5114 How could he have driven it in less time? 95 would be a nightmare and train does not cost that much. Also typing this from the auto train on my 12th trip :)

    • @arrowlogproductions2509
      @arrowlogproductions2509 4 роки тому +1

      william Lewis driving this route sucks. Have you ever done it?

  • @andrewwardle7634
    @andrewwardle7634 5 років тому +7

    Thanks for this, I found it very informative and fun. I have been hanging out on the La Grange site and see the car carriages often but wondered how they do it from the Ford Factory in louiseville. Now i know! Oh and it is December 28 2018 at the time of typing.

  • @celestinofaginas1281
    @celestinofaginas1281 6 років тому +1

    Very interesting to watch the employees load all the vehicles onto the autoracks before heading south

  • @Videostosnoreto
    @Videostosnoreto 9 років тому +23

    Nice catch! I've never actually seen what it looks like when they load em. Excellent job! :D

  • @virginiabeachboy100
    @virginiabeachboy100 6 років тому

    My family did the Autotrain in 2014. Loved service and arrived in Sanford rested.

  • @hatshepsut1089
    @hatshepsut1089 5 років тому

    Thank you. I will be taking the auto train in Sept. 2018. Your video took the some of the mystery out of the process.

  • @goodeye03
    @goodeye03 7 років тому +12

    Great video! I've seen it a couple of times in Richmond VA as it passed through the station way back in the 90's when I worked for Amtrak on board.. That was bigger than any I ever saw....

  • @TheLewistownTrainspotter8102
    @TheLewistownTrainspotter8102 4 роки тому +1

    This process is the same in Sanford, but in Sanford, they have to split the passenger cars in half because the platform is not long enough.

  • @michaeleaton9106
    @michaeleaton9106 8 років тому +101

    13:36, looks like somebody's car doesn't like the train ride, lol

    • @CSXNSTrainVideos
      @CSXNSTrainVideos 4 роки тому

      13:23

    • @Quintesson05
      @Quintesson05 4 роки тому

      Sounded like 13:21 - 13:24 to me. My family's Buick used to do that on flatbed wreckers.

  • @Globerson
    @Globerson 6 років тому +1

    33 racks for 17 passenger cabins. Wow. Also like the car alarm going off

  • @fload46d
    @fload46d 8 років тому

    As I was watching a train buzz through Fort Wayne, Indiana with automobile cars, I wondered how they loaded them. Thank you for the video.

  • @Mark-Milw42
    @Mark-Milw42 9 років тому +1

    Well done!
    You enjoy what you're doing and it shows.
    Keep up the good work.

  • @denelson83
    @denelson83 8 років тому +39

    This is basically how cars go through the Channel Tunnel between France and England.

    • @fritz46
      @fritz46 6 років тому +24

      There are many differences. One is that no shunting is involved and that the process is much faster because of this. Another difference is that the car owners drive the cars onto the train themselves and stay with their cars during the trip. The main technical difference is that the cars enter and leave the train from/to the side, so that the locomotives can stay on the train at both ends.

    • @runarandersen878
      @runarandersen878 6 років тому +8

      fg46 : And I guess this train travel a bit longer than the channel train.

    • @elcabezon5487
      @elcabezon5487 4 роки тому

      I like to see the ferry that cross the channel and transports fully loaded semi's

    • @TheLewistownTrainspotter8102
      @TheLewistownTrainspotter8102 4 роки тому

      @@fritz46 Also, Le Shuttle's trains are designed so that they always travel in a loop.

    • @wwgg8006
      @wwgg8006 4 роки тому

      Nah , much faster in Europe, RoRo .roll on roll off.

  • @JungleYT
    @JungleYT 5 років тому +1

    I swear, I didn't even know Auto Train was still in service... Last time I recall it was in the 1970s... I just assumed it went out of business until I recently saw someone on social media using it! WHY hasn't it gone more *nation wide?* Those are some *powerful* ass Diesels - 12:44

  • @realtalk4689
    @realtalk4689 8 років тому +39

    That's the video i've been waiting to see, well done and very enjoyable.

  • @davidswitzer9329
    @davidswitzer9329 5 років тому +9

    This is so cool. I enjoyed every second of it. I would love to see the auto train someday!

  • @hooterwah00
    @hooterwah00 5 років тому +1

    cool video i always wanted to take this ride

  • @angelah.9832
    @angelah.9832 7 років тому +2

    I am I love trains, I miss being able to watch them where I lived.

  • @Southeastrailfan123
    @Southeastrailfan123 4 роки тому +3

    I see this train a lot in Folkston, one of my goals one day is to get to either Sanford or Lorton to watch the loading. This is probably the best overall video I have seen on how the train is loaded. Likely still about the same today. Did you ever get to part 2 to take your ride?

  • @TrainsofNortheastWisconsin
    @TrainsofNortheastWisconsin 7 років тому +421

    Someone's car is scared of the ride

  • @railjunction
    @railjunction 5 років тому

    Just ran across this video. Good shooting! Nicely done! Steve

  • @MontysTrains
    @MontysTrains 6 років тому +2

    Very well-produced video m8! Love that B32 pretending it's an Alco with all that smoke, and I genuinely lol'd at the car alarm towards the end.

  • @AbuAmman
    @AbuAmman 7 років тому +5

    Thanks to upload very interesting film, and I'll wait a part 2 very enthuastic.

  • @FastFerrari82
    @FastFerrari82 4 роки тому

    Reminds me of when I used to unload cars.

  • @tombrewsaugh1399
    @tombrewsaugh1399 5 років тому

    My wife and I have taken this train 3 times. I now want to take a longer train journey even though we can not take our car along.

  • @DJTHORR..
    @DJTHORR.. 5 років тому +3

    Nice video thank you..i also loved the car alarm screaming in the rear AutoRack lol nice catch!! :)

  • @itsjustacrowd7557
    @itsjustacrowd7557 6 років тому

    I unload auto railcars at a Union Pacific's automobile distribution center. Fun job and can't wait to start conducting

  • @caelanreeves9760
    @caelanreeves9760 9 років тому +5

    I like how you use the unstoppable theme, very clever!

  • @Woodcut60
    @Woodcut60 9 років тому +7

    Great video, excellent job! Very interesting to see the whole loading operation in Lorton. I think I read somewhere that this is the longest passenger train in the world, not just in America.

    • @hoofie2002
      @hoofie2002 3 роки тому +3

      Probably the Indian Pacific which runs from Sydney to Perth and takes 65 hours is half a mile in length but more passengers less cars.

  • @erikgag
    @erikgag 4 роки тому

    Here in Germany they use open cars wich are also used for transport Form factory to shipoing and you drive your car yourself onto the cars the power line over the cars is cutted so nobody gets shocked and you get down over stairs from the upper deck than the cars will be secured while you board the train

  • @olgamaria6090
    @olgamaria6090 4 роки тому

    Estou assistindo hoje em 2019 , Brasil. Obrigada