Took the Auto Train to Florida for a trip to Phillies Spring Training on March 22. It was our first overnight train in about 30 years. It was a fully enjoyable experience. Arriving with our vehicle in Lorton about 12:30 PM, the ticket attendant suggested that we would be returning with a substantial number of 'snow birds' and he suggested getting to the Sanford station early to get our dining time choice. It was great advice. There were 118 vehicles on the southbound train, and 245 on the northbound trip. The boarding call was made about 2:25 and we moved to our bedroom accommodations. The W. Graham Claytor sleeper was spotless, the service attendant, whose name I unfortunately forget, was very helpful explaining the various functions in our compartment, the location of the lounge and dining cars and confirmed our dining time, and wake up call.
The reception for first class passengers began promptly at 3 PM and by 3:45 we were beginning to pull out of Lorton. Our 5 PM dinner reservation soon arrived and we both had the beef tournedos, cooked as requested. I was probably too excited to sleep well that night, looking at the window at FLorence SC as we went through a crew change mid way through the trip.
The return trip on the 27th went just as well. A reception in the lounge, the 5 PM dinner call, and the continental breakfast the next morning were all accompanied by interesting and cheerful fellow travelers. The Passenger Service Chief, Julie Byrne and her entire crew were terrific. Our accommodations were found in the A Philip Randolph Sleeper and our SCA, Daniel, was helpful, courteous and a great representative for Amtrak. The chief kept us up to date on our arrival time in Lorton, since at breakfast she announced a 9 AM arrival, 30 minutes early, but freight traffic delayed our arrival until about 9:50 AM. The only down side upon return was feeling the smack of a cold March morning after a series of 80 degree days in FL.
Looking forward to a return trip next year.
The reception for first class passengers began promptly at 3 PM and by 3:45 we were beginning to pull out of Lorton. Our 5 PM dinner reservation soon arrived and we both had the beef tournedos, cooked as requested. I was probably too excited to sleep well that night, looking at the window at FLorence SC as we went through a crew change mid way through the trip.
The return trip on the 27th went just as well. A reception in the lounge, the 5 PM dinner call, and the continental breakfast the next morning were all accompanied by interesting and cheerful fellow travelers. The Passenger Service Chief, Julie Byrne and her entire crew were terrific. Our accommodations were found in the A Philip Randolph Sleeper and our SCA, Daniel, was helpful, courteous and a great representative for Amtrak. The chief kept us up to date on our arrival time in Lorton, since at breakfast she announced a 9 AM arrival, 30 minutes early, but freight traffic delayed our arrival until about 9:50 AM. The only down side upon return was feeling the smack of a cold March morning after a series of 80 degree days in FL.
Looking forward to a return trip next year.
