| Author | Message | ||
     Xbenign |
Anyone ever use Amtrak’s Auto Train for they’re bike (or car)? What was your experience? Pros & cons? I have to attend a conference in Orlando in May and I’m thinking about taking the Auto Train down with my bike and riding back to New Jersey. My only concern so far is Amtrak’s minimum ground clearance requirement of 5 inches. I have a City Cross and the spec page on the Buell Web site says I have 4.35 inches. What does everyone think? | ||
| Ceejay |
I don't live in that corridor, but I think it is damn cool that they offer something like that. Good luck, hope you get to ride back. Is ground clearance a number representing when ridden or is it stationary with no weight. If its occurs laden then you could probably adjust your preload and not have a problem at all-just remember the settings you had before you got on the train... | ||
| Rich |
One of my neighbors has done it a couple times, going the opposite way. He told me it was very cool. We live 7-8 miles from where it ends, in FL. He rides a Heritage Softail, if it has 5 inches, that's all it has. | ||
| Court |
I've never done it but have spoken to folks who have and they all thoguht highly of it. I, for one, would like to see you do it and write a "How to Auto-Train you Buell" article for FUELL. If you are interested, drop me a note Court | ||
| Rasmonis |
I used it when I went to Daytona last year. $400 round trip. I'd upgrade to a sleeping car, sleeping on the regular seats is murder. Everything else was great - bring a Gameboy DS or PSP. | ||
| Rasmonis |
Court, I'll write that article for you. -Ramon | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I did the auto train a few years back. Several hints; Request a car with no children, Request first seating for the Dinner, Upgrade to a sleeper car (as Ras said, the regular seats are murder), And your Buell should fit. I took my lowered springer softail and they put some wood blocks in the tire slots of the carrier to keep the bike sitting right. The carriers they use are pretty neat. They hold 2 bikes. They looked to be made of aluminum and had 2 tire slots recesses into the surface that ran the length of the carrier. You load your bike on the carrier. They assist you with strapping it down and that's it. You can store as much stuff on your bike as you choose, but remember it's not secure unless you have lockable luggage. I'd do it again. Court, Can I write the story if it didn't ride a Buell on that trip?? | ||
| Rasmonis |
Here's a pick of my bike on the pallet:  | ||
| Xbenign |
Hi All, Thanks for the great responses. This has made the Auto Train go from a "maybe" to a "must try" for this trip.  Court said: I, for one, would like to see you do it and write a "How to Auto-Train you Buell" article for FUELL. Court, as for the article, I'd take Rasmonis or Paint_shaker up on their offer first so it could appear in Fuell as soon as possible. I won't be back until June. I can imagine Rasmonis's pallet picture on the pages all ready. I'd be happy to write a follow up story about my experiences, perhaps in the form of a My Longest Ride story since my return trip will take me through Tennessee. | ||
| Diablobrian |
That is too cool  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Does the autotrain go east-west too? | ||
| Rasmonis |
There is only one auto train, that runs daily from Lorton VA to Sanford Florida, non-stop. It is the longest passenger train in the entire country. | ||
| Xbenign |
Does anyone know why Amtrak has just the one Auto Train on the east coast? An east-west train seems like a natural, if not year round then at least during Sturgis. Also, for those that have used it, it looks like Amtrak provides all the tie down hardware to secure the bike. Is this correct? | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I was told the reason it only runs where it does is because of bridge/ tunnel height. You are correct, Amtrak provides all the straps. The year I went, the ticket agent recommended the "no kid" coach and we booked 2nd seating for dinner. There is DEFINATELY a difference between the kid/ no kid coaches. Also, our train was delayed by several hours before we left so dinner was behind schedule as well. We weren't served dinner until well after our scheduled time. The train stops to refuel in S.C around midnight, but no one is allowed to get on or off. Also, if the train is ontime, you should be offloaded by 8 or 9 in the am. I may be taking a trip on it this year. Good luck with yours!! P.S They do have a lounge coach that serves alcohol as well!!!! | ||
| Rasmonis |
Yes, they provide all the ties, you provide the bike and you must remove anything not directly attached/connected to the bike. I had to remove my trunk bag for example. An east-west auto train would be great, but they don't stop. The amount of time and effort it takes to unload cars would be too costly and inefficient. (I didn't even think about the tunnels. The cars are tall - two floors). (Message edited by Rasmonis on January 14, 2007) |
