If you ever did it, how was it?

ttt because there are people on this forum who have used it.

We have used it twice.
I enjoyed it.
We had the turn down bunks.
The evening meal with unlimited wine was decent. and they had Love Actually as a movie. Bkreakfast was continental.
Sleeping was a new experience the first time we used it, but the second time was fine.

We decided to do it one-way, from Florida to Virginia. We will drive back after we visit DC, Philly and New York.

Thanks for the info.

I have been on an overnight Amtrak train once before and had a sleeping compartment so that part of the trip I'm not concerned about. I actually enjoyed it even though the train was late both ways, I did not have an issue with that. It's the car deal that I have questions about. Did you have any issues with the car, how does it work, how long you have to wait to get it back once you're at the final destination, etc?

TDudette did a trip report on this last winter, at least I think it was TDudette.

AA, we had no issues with the car at all.
In fact is pretty amazing to watch them come off.
I think it took about a half hour.
It all depends when your car was loaded.

We did the the VA to Fl direction. The Fla station is not nearly as nice as the VA station BTW.

They also had a nice cocktail hour with light snacks.

Would not do it from Florida to Virginia. You can choose your own pace and weather for the drive north.
Might do it southbound if I didn't want to drive in bad weather.
Many snowbirds have their cars loaded on car carriers and fly to Florida the next day.
I have traveled between Florida and DC on the Silver Meteor several times but never wanted to move a car on the Auto Train.

We have signed up for Stanford-Lofton Amtrak deal. The wife is happy, (it's my b-day in DC), and we will have some fun for 2 weeks.

Washington DC for 2 nights, Philly for 2 nights and the NYC for 4 or 5 nights (her choice, as it's where she's from and have not been back in 30+ years). South Carolina for 2 nights on the way back.

Just got down here on the Auto Train on Friday. It's (I believe) our fourth time. And we love it.

We didn't book a sleeper. Seats are spatially-equivalent to
1st-class airline seats. FWIW, this year's the first time we talked to folks who booked a sleeper-room that are repeats. Most people say "never again." Issues seem to be value and claustrophobia.

Advantages over air travel: 1) easy to change departure plans. 2) take all the crap you want with you. 3) no car rental. 4) no TSA. And there are other reasons....

Got some pictures in an album on webshots; UID bookhall. That trip, incidentallt, was the only one where the trains were running late. (CSX, who owns the track, has priority.)

I just want to thank everybody for their input. We did book it one-way from Sanford to Lofton. SO is very excited as am I. It will be great BD for me, a great "return" trip for her, and just a nice vacation.