Florida-bound passengers: your train journey is about to get tricked out.
Starting in January, 2020, Amtrak’s Auto Train, which takes passengers and vehicles nonstop from Washington, D.C. to Orlando without the stress of tackling the driving nightmare that is I-95, is adding some noticeable upgrades to the journey.
Those who book sleeping car accommodations will receive complimentary dinner and wine service in a brand new café car that will serve contemporary cuisine, while coach passengers will be able to have complimentary continental breakfast before arrival. The café car will also stock more meals, snacks and beverages for sale, and food trucks at the Amtrak stations in Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Virginia will offer things to grab before even getting onboard. The Auto Train will also add more sleeping car cabins in four categories (Roomette, Bedroom, Family Bedroom and Accessible Bedroom), and guests will enjoy upgraded towels, bed linens and other pleasantries.
The Auto Train is a unique rail experience and is the longest passenger train in the world, with two locomotives and forty-plus passenger rail cars and vehicle carriers. Vehicles can conveniently serve as suitcases, which is especially helpful for Virginia “Snowbirds” who winter in sunny Florida and are packing for an extended stay.
Not only will the trip be more pleasant, it also remains an eco-conscious option, saving an estimated 8.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions yearly with the 117,034 vehicles that are transported on the train. And it’s not just cars that can go along for the ride; the Auto Train also accepts vans, motorcycles, SUVs, small boats and jet-skis.
“These upgrades represent an investment in improving the travel experience on this one-of-a-kind train,” says Amtrak president and CEO Richard Anderson. “Our continued success depends on increasing customer satisfaction by upgrading sleeping accommodations, keeping coach as an affordable option and providing more choice in food options in the station and onboard.”
