Special offer

People No Longer Ride The Rails In Boxcars, Especially To Florida

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Executives

Ocean Beach


The trip starts every day at 4:00 PM when the Auto Train departs from the Lorton Auto Train Terminal on a non-stop trip to Florida. A location outside Washington was necessary since the auto carriers will not fit in the Washington, DC railway tunnels. The service has been operating at this location since 1971.

From the time you turn your car over to the attendant, enter the terminal, board the train to your assigned seat and the deisel locomotive pulls away from the station the sense of anticipation escalates.

You know your car, van, motorcycle, SUV, small boat, jet ski or other recreational vehicles are tucked safely away in the auto carriers that are part of the train assembly.

Meanwhile, you can sit back in your coach seat, bedroom or roomette, relax, read, enjoy the scenery, visit with friends or other passengers in the Lounge Car, watch a movie or "just plain do nothing". Special accommodations can be made for families with small children or passengers with special needs.

Meals are included in the price of all Auto Train tickets. A freshly prepared dinner is served including regional wines, vegetarian dishes or special meals for the kids.

In the morning a complimentary continental breakfast is served. In 17 and one half hours you will arrive in Sanford, Florida near Orlando - you and your car , like you, will be refreshed and ready to tour sunny Florida.

Auto Train Photo


I made this video as the Auto Train was passing through Woodbridge VA


  • If you are planning a tour of Florida CONTACT AMTRAK
  • If you are planning to buy or sell a home when you return see below
Prince William County subdivisions that could be of interest include Saratoga Hunt, Winding Creek Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, Brittany, Montclair, Ashland, Port Potomac, Potomac Club, Rollingwood Village, Lake Terrapin, Lake Side and Meadowbrook Woods

The Prince William County transportation system is not as far ranging as the Amtrak Auto Train to Florida, but it works well for us at the local level.



My Team has 35 years experience in Woodbridge, Dumfries, Manassas, Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket Prince William County

”Experience Isn’t Expensive – It’s PRICELESS”
If you plan to buy or sell a Lake Ridge or other Woodbridge or Prince William County home or property contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

Karen Kruschka Business Card


Prince William County

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The map used in this post was copied from the Amtrak website

Comments(20)

Chris Canfield
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Tucson, AZ
Homes for Sale in Oro Valley and Tucson, Arizona

Hi Karen - Very nicely done!  My parents used the Auto Train a number of times before they finally moved to Florida in the late 80s.  They loved it.

May 21, 2011 01:43 PM
Mark Mansfield
RE/MAX Ocean Properties - Morehead City, NC
Broker - NC Beaches , Water & Golf Course Homes

Wow first time I ever heard of it, but I guess I am out living in NC.

May 21, 2011 02:34 PM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Karen,

My Dad and Mom used to drive to Lorton from NJ to take the AutoTrain. They loved it.

Rich

May 21, 2011 03:20 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Karen, I like this post and have suggested it.....THe auto train is a great way to travel and have your car with you.  We keep saying that we are going to take the AMTRAK to DC..perhaps this year we will do it....relax and enjoy the scenery...no driving...sounds wonderful!

May 21, 2011 07:22 PM
Dick and Dixie Sells
Sells Real Estate, LLC - Trinity, FL
Realtors, Tampa Bay Florida Homes For Sale

One of my aunts used to take the train to Florida in the 60's  and 70's. I have never had a train trip and I do think it should be on my bucket list. Know a few folks that still come down that way!

May 22, 2011 12:48 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Karen taking a train sounds like a lot of fun. I have never been in a train overnight!

May 22, 2011 12:52 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I've taken the auto train to Florida on more than one occassion.  I remember when you posted this a few years ago it brought back great memories of our family trips. 

May 22, 2011 02:05 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Karen-I don't mind long drives, but this sounds like a great way to mix things up a bit for those who want to use their own car, but don't want a long drive getting from point A to point B.

May 22, 2011 07:45 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Chris  I assume that was the long range plan

May 22, 2011 02:52 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Mark  It does have to go through NC - look a little farther  :)

May 22, 2011 02:54 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Rich  I've never heard anybody complain

May 22, 2011 02:54 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Rebecca  Trains are a good way to see a lot of country without having to stop for gas

May 22, 2011 02:56 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Dick and Dixie  You will enjoy the relaxation a nd you don't have to put your tray up when entering the station  :)

May 22, 2011 02:57 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Bill  It is different, but an interesting experience

May 22, 2011 02:58 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Cindy I'm glad it "worked" for you.  This is a much revised and updated version of my earlier post

May 22, 2011 03:00 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Wayne  It has lasted a very long time so it must be the right mix

May 22, 2011 03:01 PM
Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

I love riding on trains Karen.  I have taken Amtrac a few times up and down Ca.  Loved your video too. 

May 23, 2011 02:12 PM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Oh I love trains so much!  What a cool idea for a blog post!

May 23, 2011 03:00 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Jim  We enjoy trains, too

May 23, 2011 11:24 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Melissa  I've got a special train blog on the way - my husband is doing the video as we speak

May 23, 2011 11:25 PM