Auto-train

[element6]

Got to thinking this might be a good option for a trip to see my dad in Daytona in October. Ride from western NY via BRP and Atlanta (where my sister lives), spend a few days with him and at the beach, then catch the train toward home.
The logistics and timing seem OK, saves me a bit of vacation time.
Haven't found many comments here about experiences on the train. Anyone done it recently? Thoughts? Comments?
Thanks,
Dave

[kantuckid]

Ought to be plenty of space as all the NYC'ers will be headed the other way by then unless leaf watching, but how does it save time? Is your bike slower than the train or just the sleep-in factor? I don't see the time savings on that short of a trip ?

[element6]

It's an overnight trip of ~900 miles, Riding it I'd take 2 or maybe 3 days, sticking to state highways and byways.
If I took my time, I'd hit 2 nights of motels or camping, have food expense for the three days, and ~$80 in gas.

Looks like two days saved and roughly break-even on the cost, depending on my choice of accommodations.

Originally Posted by kantuckid

Ought to be plenty of space as all the NYC'ers will be headed the other way by then unless leaf watching, but how does it save time? Is your bike slower than the train or just the sleep-in factor? I don't see the time savings on that short of a trip ?

[acejones]

Wouldn't have to deal with weather.

[rockinrog]

I wish they had one of these running east-west.

[elmo_4_vt]

Originally Posted by rockinrog

I wish they had one of these running east-west.

Right? That'd be a great way to get to Colorado with Cycles...

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[kantuckid]

Originally Posted by acejones

Wouldn't have to deal with weather.

Other than maybe/probably some rain the riding through the Carolina's in October is a glorious time of year was my thinking! I do agree that it's too bad trains are not there for us as in other directions. Rode some great ones in the UK recently! I wonder if the Canadian train lets you pack a large motorcycle as they used to allow canoes & drop you off in the boonies?

[acejones]

October is usually the best month of the year in the coastal south, unless a late tropical depression forms.

[Johno33772]

Did the Train ride July 4 th weekend from Orlando(Sanford) to Lorton VA....it sucked!!! The Dinettes are expensive & made for Midgets. We got a Dinette so we could sleep.....try & sleep when the freaking Engineers blows the horn all night long & the ride is bumpy....yeah I am whining but did expect more for what we paid.
If you have limited time, the train will work & gets you there pretty fast.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by Johno33772

Did the Train ride July 4 th weekend

try & sleep when the freaking Engineers blows the horn all night long & the ride is bumpy....

ear plugs?

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by rockinrog

I wish they had one of these running east-west.

Me, too.

The problem with East-West, for me is getting to Denver.

The old Super Chief route runs from Chicago to Kansas City to Albuquerque, then west to Los Angeles.

The old California Zephyr route runs Chicago to Omaha to Denver to Salt Lake, then Reno and San Francisco.

The Empire Builder is too far North.

I guess, for people in the Midwest, putting on at Chicago and running the Zephyr to Denver would be cool. Too far North for me, though

If they had Auto Trains on the Chief, I'd want to get on at Kansas City, and off at Trinidad CO or Lamy NM. That would be worth the trip up to Kansas City to catch the train...

Seems like a good opportunity to add the Auto Train cars to the Zephyr or Chief and see what happens....

[Bikeopath]

My experience on the auto train was the opposite. Got the private room with private bath. Slept like a baby down and up. Dining car food was pretty good, and a lot of Bike Weekers on board, making it a bit of a party train.

All in all I would definitely do it again. But, as we just witnessed, YMMV.

[TRUBRIT]

Been on it a few times, South to North and the other way. Car and Bike. You said October....two things, Snow birds heading south and Biktoberfest. Trains get pretty full that time of year. Check your dates and go on the website. You will know the busy time by the prices.

[element6]

Good call on Biketoberfest, Trubrit.
I'm taking the train north only, and the snowbirds should all be headed the other way. But BIketoberfest ends the day before I was planning to head north. May need to re-think my itinerary. Hmmmm.....

Originally Posted by TRUBRIT

Been on it a few times, South to North and the other way. Car and Bike. You said October....two things, Snow birds heading south and Biktoberfest. Trains get pretty full that time of year. Check your dates and go on the website. You will know the busy time by the prices.

[Outwardbound]

Speaking of East/West routes...
Is there a means of shipping (via rail freight) the bike out to Denver; then you simply meet the bike out there ?

I guess it could be done via road freight as well. Anybody done it ? Might be fun to ship the bike out to the West coast then ride Rt66 back. As you can tell I'm not one who enjoys multi-day transit runs to get to the good riding.