Leaving car (automobile) behind at Osceola (OSC) station for five weeks

[mhopkinsindy]

I would not leave my car at a train station for 5 weeks. The station and town is irrelevant, that too long. You’re asking for trouble. The simple weather will leave a ring around your car indicating that it’s been there for sometime.

I do not recommend this at all.

Not sure why you are saying this. With permission, we have been allowed to leave our car parked in an Amtrak parking lot for months at a time between trips. We have a trickle charger whose panel we put on the dashboard and we clamp it to the engine through a small wire we run to the engine. You can buy these sets online. When we go back to the car, it always starts.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Not sure why you are saying this. With permission, we have been allowed to leave our car parked in an Amtrak parking lot for months at a time between trips. We have a trickle charger whose panel we put on the dashboard and we clamp it to the engine through a small wire we run to the engine. You can buy these sets online. When we go back to the car, it always starts.

I am glad you have success. You have a good plan for the battery. Still would not leave my car at a station for 5 weeks or a few months, even with permission. This is based on my experience, and yes I am lucky to have multi trains station within a 2 hours of my house. The closest is 45 minutes away. But I am leaving my car in the garage when I am traveling. No public transit, ride sharing in my community. I can Uber in, but not out of. Too easy for something to happen. Unattended vehicles are easy to spot. Easy victim of crime, vandalism, hit and run. Not worth the stress. Arranging transportation is a pain, but the lack of wondering about my car is worth it to me.

 

[gregg_vw]

I am glad you have success. You have a good plan for the battery. Still would not leave my car at a station for 5 weeks or a few months, even with permission. This is based on my experience, and yes I am lucky to have multi trains station within a 2 hours of my house. The closest is 45 minutes away. But I am leaving my car in the garage when I am traveling. No public transit, ride sharing in my community. I can Uber in, but not out of. Too easy for something to happen. Unattended vehicles are easy to spot. Easy victim of crime, vandalism, hit and run. Not worth the stress. Arranging transportation is a pain, but the lack of wondering about my car is worth it to me.

Being a urban person, there are many lots here where people park outside all the time. Some are monitored, some not. Some gated, many not. I have rarely seen vandalism on cars that obviously haven't been moved in a long time. The risk often depends on where in the city you park. Investigate the level of crime reported where you leave your car. And if you do find a lot where you are permitted to park long term and don't have access to electricity for a trickle charger, you can install a simple device on your battery terminal that turns the cable connection on or off with a twist.

 

[UserNameRequired]

A trip or two ago, at OSC, I think while carting multiple heavy suit cases while walking away from the auto I hit the unlock button on the remote in my pocket. Upon our return a week later we found it unlocked and absolutely nothing disturbed inside.

 

[SantaFe69]

A trip or two ago, at OSC, I think while carting multiple heavy suit cases while walking away from the auto I hit the unlock button on the remote in my pocket. Upon our return a week later we found it unlocked and absolutely nothing disturbed inside.

My friend and I will be meeting in OSC to board the Zephyr in late June. We'll leave our cars in the lot & return 6 days later. Do you suggest letting anyone other than the caretaker know?

My friend and I will be meeting in OSC to board the Zephyr in late June. We'll leave our cars in the lot & return 6 days later. Do you suggest letting anyone other than the caretaker know?

Also, any suggestions on where to grab dinner in OSC? Thanks so much for any input!

 

[basketmaker]

I usually alert the local PD to ask them if possible to do "extra patrol" around the station and parking lot. I would leave my name, cell number and description of my vehicle including tag number. I have done that at Fulton, Ky and Fort Morgan, CO and they have always been happy to oblige. Left my truck in Fulton, KY for 9 days without issue. Fulton PD even offered to leave my car at the police station and an officer would drive me to the Amtrak station which is a couple of miles from the city. But with what I was carrying I opted to park at the station.

 

[UserNameRequired]

My friend and I will be meeting in OSC to board the Zephyr in late June. We'll leave our cars in the lot & return 6 days later. Do you suggest letting anyone other than the caretaker know?


Also, any suggestions on where to grab dinner in OSC? Thanks so much for any input!

There is the suggestion from @basketmaker above to let the police know, but I have not done that personally when we park there. Of course I can’t guarantee you will not have problems, I am only saying I don't see any extra crime risk there that normally exists in a small rural town, which is low risk in my opinion.

In walking distance there is a Casey’s convenience store that should have good pizza. I don’t gamble but there is a casino driving distance across the interstate that has buffet that I have eaten at. The food was ok but all the quantity you care to eat.

 

[SantaFe69]

I usually alert the local PD to ask them if possible to do "extra patrol" around the station and parking lot. I would leave my name, cell number and description of my vehicle including tag number. I have done that at Fulton, Ky and Fort Morgan, CO and they have always been happy to oblige. Left my truck in Fulton, KY for 9 days without issue. Fulton PD even offered to leave my car at the police station and an officer would drive me to the Amtrak station which is a couple of miles from the city. But with what I was carrying I opted to park at the station.

Thanks allot! Nice offer by Fulton PD. Makes me want to find a reason to go there

There is the suggestion from @basketmaker above to let the police know, but I have not done that personally when we park there. Of course I can’t guarantee you will not have problems, I am only saying I don't see any extra crime risk there that normally exists in a small rural town, which is low risk in my opinion.

In walking distance there is a Casey’s convenience store that should have good pizza. I don’t gamble but there is a casino driving distance across the interstate that has buffet that I have eaten at. The food was ok but all the quantity you care to eat.

Thank you for the helpful information!!