Passenger Trains > Another Late Auto Train, #53 on Jan.30

We must have scored the Trifecta on AT #53 on January 30, 2026.  First, we left Lorton, VA almost 1:15 late, then stopped ~1 hr. later due to "mechanical problems," then stopped again at Rocky Mount for an unknown/unclear reason, but were underway again in 30 minutes.  

Some explanation for the above:  #53 had to wait for at least 6 trains to pass before we left Lorton.  Also, we had two Siemens locomotives + a silver GE yard engine (all pulling) and 52 cars in tow.  Maybe one of the Siemens Chargers had mechanical issues?  I don't know what we hit, but the explanation ("We hit a switch wrong") didn't make sense.

Although the car we traveled in was clean, as were the windows, the track was rougher than last year and extended farther north.  E.g., in the past the rough track began ~ Florence, SC and continue through GA.  This year, it began at Quantico, VA -> GA.  The Florida trackage was fine, but we weren't trying to sleep at that point of the trip.

We arrived in Sanford, FL 2 1/2 hrs. late, but as we weren't pressed for time, it was tolerable.  Btw, our car attendant, Big Chris, was wonderful and willing to bring us dinner in our room.   Not a bad trip, but there are few other options if you wish to bring a car loaded with your stuff to FL.

Thoght you'd like to know.

pbrasky Wrote:
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> First, we left Lorton, VA almost 1:15 late, then stopped ~1 hr. later due to "mechanical problems"

Amtrak does not have mechanical problems. They have "mechanical assessments".

Just kidding. Thanks for the report. Glad you had a good trip.

 

Yes, glad you had a good trip / crew.

When Auto-Train leaves Lorton in its usual slot (3.20-3.40 pm) it gets ahead of some predictable congestion.  VRE, at least one sb intermodal, misc freight, etc.  So when it leaves later than 3.40-4 pm or so, all kind of things can happen. None of them good.

Some of that is due to the process of pulling forward with the passenger cars up to the main, and waiting for the cuts of auto carriers to be added. Then the slow pull up the grade and out onto the main line.  If the A-T is behind a VRE every stops local, the A-T may proceed at 10-15 mph to avoid having to stop. The dispatchers will run train 95 and 125 (IIRC) around A-T, but they are often reluctant to cross over the A-T if they don't have to. Train 80 is sometimes in the picture, etc. 

In my experience, the dispatchers do a good job of working a sometimes congested commuter heavy work space. But there are 79 mph trains (VRE and other Amtrak) as well as slower freights and the A-T