[skyguy79]

We've traveled a bit over Amtrak, over 42,000 rail miles (including pre-Amtrak) for me so far. A number of times it's been via the AutoTrain. Here are a few comments I'll like to contribute:

• Traveling with a pet is out of the question unless... the animal is classified as a companion pet, like with seeing eye dogs or even those who need the companionship for psychological reasons!
• You can reserve up to 11 months in advance. For room accommodations the sooner the better. The quantity of rooms is limited especially in the H (accessible) rooms.
• Fares are based in what's called a "bucket system." As rooms become reserved, the higher the price goes! I'm not sure however it that applies to the vehicle carrying fees on the Autotrain. Time of travel can also affect prices as someone already noted.
• Sanford, as someone already stated, is the southern terminal and Lorton VA is the northern terminal. The Autotrain terminates in Lorton because it cannot go further north from there due to their inability to pass through tunnels any further than Lorton.
• Frequent travelers can join the Amtrak Guestrewards program and earn points for future travel. Too much detail to specify. My wife and I both have accounts and I can tell you that we have enough points that we could travel from Florida to any Pacific coast location and back round trip two times already, and we earn literally thousands more points each month. By the next time we travel, we may have enough for three cross country round trips. BTW, I always use one of their handicapped rooms. If I could travel by coach only, we'd be able to currently travel cross country round trip about 6 time.
• Other good points are not mention where others have already contributed information.