That Quantico Station sure has changed. My last year in the Marines in 1968 I used to take the train up to DC and back 2-3 times per week, then walked from the beautiful Union Station (Terminal? LOL) to Georgetown where my sister lived. The figure $3 sticks in my mind...whether that was for a one-way or RT ticket I can't remember. I don't remember the name of the RR either, but the last train back from DC was at about 11 p.m., and if you missed that you were screwed unless you had someone who could drive you back to base. Thanks Sis! That Auto Train is quite the operation re the loading and un-loading....they have it down to a science.
I rode the original Auto-Train with my family a few times but have never ridden Amtrak's version. That train used full-length dome cars for the passengers. It's a bit mind-boggling to watch over 30 auto-carrier cars go by! If Amtrak ever resumes Chicago to Florida passenger service, they should revive the Louisville to Sanford Auto-Train on the same routing.
Amtrak's Auto Train length is roughly twice as long as Australia's Indian Pacific Train. But unlike The Auto Train The IP no longer gives passenger the choice of bringing their own car with them. Having said that The Indian Pacific does run about 2500 Miles from Sydney in the east to Perth in the west and takes about 4 days to complete the trip and that's just one way alone.
ironically the P42s are quite rare to see running the Auto Train. The P40s are mainstays of that route and it’s interesting that they’ve begun to rotate more P42s to Auto Train lately. I will say though that the Sanford maintenance base does not do a good job with taking care of their engines, a few of the P40s had missing numberboards, numerous burn marks, and chipped paint when I last saw them.
Auto train has two stations it uses and other trains operate out of there, although some trains through especially freight trains; it does stop I think in the Carolinas to get a new crew. The north end of the route serving dc is in Lorton, Virginia. The south end of the route is in Sanford, Florida serving Orlando.
That Quantico Station sure has changed. My last year in the Marines in 1968 I used to take the train up to DC and back 2-3 times per week, then walked from the beautiful Union Station (Terminal? LOL) to Georgetown where my sister lived. The figure $3 sticks in my mind...whether that was for a one-way or RT ticket I can't remember. I don't remember the name of the RR either, but the last train back from DC was at about 11 p.m., and if you missed that you were screwed unless you had someone who could drive you back to base. Thanks Sis! That Auto Train is quite the operation re the loading and un-loading....they have it down to a science.
I once saw 52 go through Fredericksburg around 2:30 in the afternoon. I was glad to see that these trains were running pretty much on schedule.
I rode the original Auto-Train with my family a few times but have never ridden Amtrak's version. That train used full-length dome cars for the passengers. It's a bit mind-boggling to watch over 30 auto-carrier cars go by! If Amtrak ever resumes Chicago to Florida passenger service, they should revive the Louisville to Sanford Auto-Train on the same routing.
I saw that Louisville train in 1975 at Bowling Green, Ky.
Great shots, Tim ….takes patience to do credit to such a massive train. P40 or P42 that’s a good hard days work for a couple of Gennies.
Amtrak's money maker train. I know many people who have ridden this train and loved it. Thanks Tim💚👌😀
The Acela and Northeast Regional trains are also money maker trains
Nice video Mr. Tim
50-car consists! Wow! Nice video, Tim.
Nice catches Tim. I see you made it to the Mine Road crossing. Nice spot except for all the road traffic.
I thought it would be a quieter place. What do I know?
Awesome!
The world's longest passenger train
Amtrak's Auto Train length is roughly twice as long as Australia's Indian Pacific Train. But unlike The Auto Train The IP no longer gives passenger the choice of bringing their own car with them. Having said that The Indian Pacific does run about 2500 Miles from Sydney in the east to Perth in the west and takes about 4 days to complete the trip and that's just one way alone.
And the Ghan! On my fantasy bucket-list.
ironically the P42s are quite rare to see running the Auto Train. The P40s are mainstays of that route and it’s interesting that they’ve begun to rotate more P42s to Auto Train lately. I will say though that the Sanford maintenance base does not do a good job with taking care of their engines, a few of the P40s had missing numberboards, numerous burn marks, and chipped paint when I last saw them.
They need a fresh repaint
Nice captures.
I'm surprised the Autotrain with super liners has no Observation Lounge like the Chief and Zephyr.
Kind of hard with auto carriers in the back
What days did you take these videos?
May 16/17
Can someone tell me which platform it stops at
Auto train has two stations it uses and other trains operate out of there, although some trains through especially freight trains; it does stop I think in the Carolinas to get a new crew.
The north end of the route serving dc is in Lorton, Virginia. The south end of the route is in Sanford, Florida serving Orlando.
amtrk more auto trains