Passenger Trains > Amtrak's 'Auto Train' at Crossroads

Seen here headed south on the RF&P on 4-21-17, Amtrak P053-21 has near the maximum allowed cars, with 49 and a P40DC-P42DC pair for power. This location is the CFP 54.0, just north of the new Crossroads VRE station in Fredericksburg, VA.

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Now that's an impressive sight! Thanks!

#2 and #3 are timetable/calendar material! Nice work. BSB

Very nice. I hope you send these to Amtrak.

u "nailed it." very nice pics......

66

Only pic I hav ever seen that shows just what a big train it really is.

I agree. Calendar material for sure.
Nice job, Railfan94!

what is the maximum speed allowed for this train?

It's allowed the same speed as all other Amtrak's (70-80mph here in VA), just depends on where you are.

are those freight cars/auto racks rated for passenger speeds?

66

That must be one busy diner or diners!

How many train sets does the Auto Train use?

Jerry Martin
Los Angeles, CA
Central Coast Railroad Festival

Railfan94 Wrote:
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> It's allowed the same speed as all other Amtrak's
> (70-80mph here in VA), just depends on where you
> are.


Auto Train is limited to 70 mph all over, not just on the RF&P. All other Amtrak trains are 79 mph south of Richmond..

Impressive pictures!!!

There is an auto-train market from Illinois to Colorado from Indiana to Florida from pacific NW to California

This picture is worth a thousand words and show the value of what an Autotrain can do in other places across the country

Posted from iPhone

I went down to the Crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
I went down to the Crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.

Nice pix too!

TJY

amtrakbill Wrote:
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> There is an auto-train market from Illinois to
> Colorado from Indiana to Florida from pacific NW
> to California

There is a failed one between Indiana (Louisville, KY) and Florida.
I am not sure the other routes are sustainable.

The Eugene Garfield pre-Amtrak was allowed 79 MPH - not sure why the reduction to 70 after Amtrak took the operation over.
Andy

justalurker66 Wrote:
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> amtrakbill Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There is an auto-train market from Illinois to
> > Colorado from Indiana to Florida from pacific
> NW
> > to California
>
> There is a failed one between Indiana (Louisville,
> KY) and Florida.
> I am not sure the other routes are sustainable.

There's a general direct Midwest to Florida train market out there, but Amtrak has yet to fill it. I don't think it should be an Auto Train until it builds momentum as a regular passenger train.

Most people who ride auto train have never used the star or meteor

It's a totally different clientele and can function without other regular service on the route

Studies done by amtrak back in the late 80's showed that an AutoTrain from Galesburg IL to Denver can be as successful as the current auto train

Posted from iPhone

That should have been the Auto Train shot for this years calendar!