Consist of Amtraks auto train

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I was wondering about what the consist of Amtraks auto train is that travels between DC and Orlando. I have heard that this is the longest train amtrak runs(train length not distance travled) so I want to know what cars are used(bagage, superliner, auto rack), what order they are in(sleper, dinner, lounge then coach), and how many of each car.

Thanks very much in advanced for any help given

Joe

2

Couldn’t find anything recent, but this was the consist of the Auto-Train in the accident at Cresent City, FL in 2002.

Transition Sleeper
Sleeper
Sleeper
Sleeper
Sleeper
Lounge (Auto-Train uses modified dining cars as lounges rather than SightSeer Lounges)
Diner
Sleeper
Sleeper
Sleeper
Coach
Coach
Coach
Coach
Lounge
Diner
24 Auto Rack Cars.

All passenger cars are SuperLiners. There is no baggage car as passengers are to lock their luggage in their vehicles.

Subsequent to this accident, Amtrak acquired 80 new AutoRack cars and retired the old rack cars. With that, and depending on maintanence schedules, there could be up to 40 racks on a train at peak periods. No doubt there can be variances in the number of both sleepers and coaches on the train.

3

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Thanks for the help, I am hopeing to model this but probably not the whole length so I was wondering when you say they got 80 new auto racks and retired the old rack cars do you mean that these are what they got rid of->->-> http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-26222 or are these the new onse they got or are they neither one???[?]

Also it sure would ruin your day if your in the first sleeper and have to walk 1/4 of a mile to get to the dinner (87ft per car x 15 superliners)

Thanks for all the help

4

…Have been in the Sanford, Fl headquarters many times as they made up that day’s Auto Train. Interesting to watch. Actually some years ago, before they started to use the SuperLiners I asked one of the attendents if I could take a look inside the empty train {before they started to board the train}, and to my surprise she took me on and let me look around.

To my great surprise it was almost as cold as a meat cooler…Very nice.

I don’t think there is any Amtrak train as long as the Auto Train consists. Very long for a passenger train with the auto carriers tacked on the rear.

Understand they are about to build a new transportation center very close to the present station and it will include Amtrak, Commuters and the Auto Train facilities. Believe it is to be built just to the north side of Fl. rt. 46 which is within a half mile of the present Auto Train facilities.

5

Joe

The roster information I refer to lists only the 80 new cars. Don’t know for sure, but they were probably scrapped. No doubt in my mind that the numbers said buy new cars rather than to rebuild or otherwise try to extend the life of the old cars.

6

…From what I have understood, the "old’ auto racks were getting in pretty bad and ragged shape. Many miles on them and wear and tear.

7

I live just a couple of miles from Lorton, Virginia and it’s cool to watch them build the southbound train in the early afternoon. The last Auto Train I shot was in Weldon, NC back in April and it had 45 cars (21 racks) and stretched 4,021 feet according to the defect detector there.

8

With car counts in the high thirties into the forties and lots of tonnage with all the automobiles in the auto racks, how much motive power is normally assigned to this train? I am guessing at a minimum three units and four or even five would not shock me.

9

From what I can tell from all the video’s on Google vid and youtube its only 2 engines(P42DC)

10

…Yes, anytime I’ve been there it’s been powered with 2 GE’s.

11

Only once have I ever seen three, but yes as was mentioned, two is the norm.

12

Wow, only two units for such a big train. My guess is the reason for this is that the route Auto Train takes to Florida is basically flat most of the way while the California trains, while much shorter and lighter, take a route that takes them over mountains and thus the need for more horsepower per ton. Make sense?

13

…Those Genesis units carry 4,000 and 4,200 Hp if I remember correctly and if the route is relatively flat, guess that 8,000 plus produces enough power to do the job. I’ve seen them start out in Florida and they seemed to get the consist rolling without much trouble.

14

Do they(gensis units) have seperate HEP generator or is it off the main generator and then converted to the HEP voltage because wouldnt that take power out of the 8400 HP especialy if the train is 16 cars long because that would require alot of HEP

15

…I certainly am no expert to answer your HEP question but from what I’ve seen in drawings and writeups, I believe the HEP is supplied by it’s own gen / alt set, but powered by the main prime mover.

16

So your trying to say that there is 2 alternators on the same prime mover

17

…Yes, that’s what I’m saying.