Passenger Trains > Amtrak - No AC At Sanford Auto Train Station For 5 Weeks

Again, from the Amtrak sub-reddit:
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"Recently traveled the auto train south. Got into Sanford, and the station had no a/c. We were aware prior as I had seen a post on here.
I talked to one of the clerks, and he said it’s been 5 weeks with no a/c.
A couple days later, Amtrak sent a survey to my email. I answered it, adding that the Sanford station had no a/c and it was an issue for 5 weeks.
Today I get an email from Amtrak for a 100 dollar travel voucher/credit.
Considering we spent about 3k, not really appreciated. Amtrak needs to step up the game, a lot."

The same contractor who took forever to get the car washes going is working on the a/c. Patience is a virtue. We sincerely apologize.

I'm sure more-and-more  of we train fans are becoming very discouraged
with all these bad things happening to Amtrak passengers lately.

Sense AmManagement says nothing about it (Soviet Style railroading), this
leaves we fans here on TO to come up with our own attempts to explain --

which range from "Not Amtrak's fault"  to "They're cutting cost to get a bonus".



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/26 06:43 by ronald321.

ronald321 Wrote:
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> Sense AmManagement says nothing about it (Soviet Style railroading), this
> leaves we fans here on TO to come up with our own attempts to explain --
> which range from "Not Amtrak's fault"  to
> "They're cutting cost to get a bonus".

Perhaps the AC being out is due to freight train interference?

<edit> Or a 5-week long "mechanical assessment"?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/26 06:52 by restricted_speed.

To:  restricted_speed

To me, this is no laughing matter.

I've seen how packed with people that AutoTrain terminal gets --
and to be packed in there---in Florida heat---without AC--for hours!

If not exactly "Human Suffering" -- it's definitely "Human Misery"

More "Demand Distruction"--but, who cares, right?

restricted_speed Wrote:
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> ronald321 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Sense AmManagement says nothing about it
> (Soviet Style railroading), this
> > leaves we fans here on TO to come up with our
> own attempts to explain --
> > which range from "Not Amtrak's fault"  to
> > "They're cutting cost to get a bonus".
>
> Perhaps the AC being out is due to freight train
> interference?
>
> Or a 5-week long "mechanical assessment"?
====================

"Municipal Authorities."   But this could be true if a permit process is required for extensive work.

If the prior system was old, repair may not be feasible due to outlawing of old 
refrigerant and incompatibility with what is currently legal. 
Complete replacement of the mechanicals and plumbing of the
HVAC system would be required. 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/26 08:02 by GenePoon.

churches and other buildings have the same problems, there is sometimes theft of these units too, especially if they are at ground level.   Too bad they could not rent some busses or have some coaches for people to wait in.  Hopefully they can find some portable a/c units to wheel in. Just have them remain onboard, or board immediately



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/26 16:14 by dan.

well, of course something like what Dan mentions above with buses could be done.  Today.  If anyone at Amtrak cared a bit.

Imagine an airport in hot humid florida being without A/C for 5 weeks.  It would not happen.  To be fair, Amtak now has at least one of the station aligned and 'on brand' with the recent experience on this board about the Empire Builder/Lake Shore Limited 4 day odyssey without A/C.  

My sister took 52 north from  Sanford on Monday. I asked her about the air conditioning / heat, and she said she didn't feel uncomfortable in the station

The trip was uneventful. She slept well, met interesting people at dinner, good room attendant.  Arrived an hour early, Before the car jockeys arrived, so they got to wait a little.

Of course it could be something as simple as the metal thieves hit the A/C units and the replacement units are on order.
 

PHall Wrote:
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> Of course it could be something as simple as the
> metal thieves hit the A/C units and the
> replacement units are on order.
>  

Lots of copper theft here in Florida.

Maybe they can borrow a CSX air conditioner that can only take it down to 79.

randgust Wrote:
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> Maybe they can borrow a CSX air conditioner that
> can only take it down to 79.

Or 59....it varies but is never in the comfortable range...CW60's had a themostat at least...

Please be more specific in the description; "Air Conditioning" would have been helpful.  At first, I wasn't sure if you meant air conditioning in the terminal, or A/C power for the trains.+

PRR1361 Wrote:
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> Please be more specific in the description; "Air
> Conditioning" would have been helpful.  At first,
> I wasn't sure if you meant air conditioning in the
> terminal, or A/C power for the trains.+

There is a character limit as for how long titles can be.

they could call united rentals for 250k btu of air conditioning
 to rent.......but requires thought, and money.

Exactly NO viable business would go 5 weeks without AC in a customer occupied space

1976steve Wrote:
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> Exactly NO viable business would go 5 weeks
> without AC in a customer occupied space

or in the C-suite

1976steve Wrote:
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> Exactly NO viable business would go 5 weeks
> without AC in a customer occupied space

That's easy to say but delivery dates for parts or new equipment isn't negotiable.  

It's like we're in India--AMTRAK is approaching that lower level of service.