Sea Six, thank you. You have provided some outstanding information & photos about the auto train.
Yes, it appears the coach menu is now more ala carte, and not as fancy.there have been some updates the past few years-the lounge for sleeper cabins was cut out, and no 1st class (steak) and coach menus. It's all coach now--and it's also not free any more. No free wine. Still a good way to get from DC area to Florida. Many fun Mickey spring break trips for us!
I think in the situation that you describe, the only real options are driving (maybe two vehicles) or taking the autotrain. Anything else becomes too expensive.Absolutely, especially when you're going to Florida for several weeks. You save the cost of renting a car, plus you can load up your own car with all the stuff you want with you on vacation that you could never take to an airport! Pack your car to the gills! We don't travel light - we want all our stuff with us! If you're only going for a week, it won't be worth it.
There is still some of this, but many of the seasonal visitors just pack their car on a truck transport, fully loaded up with suitcases, and fly down to meet it. I haven't noticed many of these transport trucks this year. These are the same open carriers you see hauling new cars to the dealerships, but you can tell they are owned cars by the variety on the truck (age and make) and the licenses.Back in the early 50s (I lived in Philadelphia at the time) there used to be ads in the classifieds from people who Wintered in Florida looking for someone to drive their cars to Florida so they could take the train. I did it a number of times both going to and returning from Florida. Car owners paid for the gas and gave me some cash to cover food, etc. It worked for both of us. They got their car to Florida and I got there for free. I'm wondering if this is still done...
George
Curious sidebar: Was your stay right downtown with the BlueGreen TS?We drove down to Savannah from Baltimore the day after Christmas and it took 12 hours. I was thinking anything including a long train ride would be better. LOL
I did this a couple of times way back when, for a BMW dealership owner who wanted his convertible and 4WD. He flew and my then boyfriend and I drive from Northern VA area to West Palm....then fly back in a personal jet...ahh those were the days of the early 1980s.Back in the early 50s (I lived in Philadelphia at the time) there used to be ads in the classifieds from people who Wintered in Florida looking for someone to drive their cars to Florida so they could take the train. I did it a number of times both going to and returning from Florida. Car owners paid for the gas and gave me some cash to cover food, etc. It worked for both of us. They got their car to Florida and I got there for free. I'm wondering if this is still done...
George
Back in the early 50s (I lived in Philadelphia at the time) there used to be ads in the classifieds from people who Wintered in Florida looking for someone to drive their cars to Florida so they could take the train. I did it a number of times both going to and returning from Florida. Car owners paid for the gas and gave me some cash to cover food, etc. It worked for both of us. They got their car to Florida and I got there for free. I'm wondering if this is still done...
George
Ain't usually worth it for a week. 2 weeks minimum is a break even, 3 weeks becomes a winner.We took the auto train one way down for a week’s trip and typically drove back. Cuts the driving in 1/2 and cost 1/2 the price.