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I noticed this in the Amtrak press release on the ground breaking for the new station in Sanford, FL.
"As Amtrak actively moves forward with plans for a greener, safer and healthier future, we will be looking for other places around the country where an Auto Train service can be started."
We've had a lot of speculation on this in the past, guess it's time to start again. It would seem that they would want to use one of the existing terminals to minimize costs and keep the equipment in a closed cycle.
So, with the Florida market always a draw for snow birds, guess that means Sanford to_____? My vote would be just north of Dayton where I-75 crosses I-70. Not far from the midwestern cities yet close enough to Florida that the general public would tolerate the time on the train.
The hard part would be getting NS to agree - and I think that would be the best option from Jax north.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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As I have noted in prior pastings, here are my candidates for "Auto Train Service" or the addition of an Auto Carrier or two and with passengers handled in existing Zephyr or Chief line space:
Galesburg-La Junta Galesburg-Irondale CO Albuquerque-San Bernardino
As a veteran of eighteen auto train journeys, I simply cannot imagine a market anywhere else in nature and scope as the existing Lorton-Sanford service.
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why not Chicago to Denver? Many is the time we took the CZ from Chicago to Denver and rented a car there to spend a few weeks driving around the South west or up to Canada. Or even Chicago to the west coast. I am sure you will all find reasons for that being too something or other to be done but I am sure your reasoning will be interesting,
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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A primary traffic source for Galesburg-Irondale Auto Train Service would be Chicago-Denver.
Locating the Eastern terminal 150 miles to the West and near the junction of two Interstates enables better access to both Indianapolis, St Louis and Minneapolis traffic.
Locating the Western terminal at Irondale some ten miles to the East of Denver enables passengers with destinations such as the Rocky Mountains to avoid having to drive into/out of Denver. Also, with the redevelopement of Denver Union Station into a mass transit hub (busses, light rail), space for handling auto carriers and passenger autos will be quite limited. Amtrak may even have to find a new home before the redevelopment is complete.
At both locations, BNSF has yard engines that would make it in the interest of both parties for a contract to handle the switching.
Finally, from being a regular AT passenger, I know passenger sentiment holds one night is enough; AT passengers are not train travelers let alone railfans - AT simply represents the most painless way to move an auto, often loaded to the gunwales for an extended visit. When the existing AT does not make Lorton or Sanford by noon, arewethereyetitis becomes quite endemic.
George Harris Member # 2077
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I think Mr. Norman has it about right. It needs to be something that can be done in an overnight run, more or less mid afternoon departure and post-breakfast arrival. You are essentially cutting two motel nights out of driving the distance as it would be done by the post-50 and retiree crowd.
Galesburg to LaJunta is functionally not that far off a Chicago to Denver run, with the advantage of being fairly hand to all the Front Range points before the end of a rational driving day if you have something in the order of a 10:00 am arrival.
palmland Member # 4344
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Chicago to Denver would be my favorite too as we take frequent trips west, as I write from Flagstaff now. And I agree LaJunta would be a good destination mainly because I think BNSF would like (or at least tolerate) more traffic on that line west of KC.
However, I don't think Amtrak could justify the cost of two new terminals and a maintenance base when Sanford could anchor two routes. Also the midwest to FL route is now a year round market, thanks to the Mouse, while I suspect those going to the Rockies are primarily interested in the summer vacation or ski seasons.
George Harris Member # 2077
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quote:Originally posted by palmland:However, I don't think Amtrak could justify the cost of two new terminals and a maintenance base when Sanford could anchor two routes. Also the midwest to FL route is now a year round market, thanks to the Mouse,... [/QB]
Regardless of all that: The tracks to make this possible in a reasonable time are simply not there. Considering what it would take to make it possible to get a train between somewhere in the midwest, even Louisville as the original was, to Sanford at something near the equivalent to a 50 mph average based on road distance, the cost of the terminals would be peanuts. Anything much slower would not be worthwhile.
HillsideStation Member # 6386
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You folks will have to excuse my ignornace of the destinations you're suggesting for an AutoTrain. In my opinion, the destination(s) have to be center(s) that are final destination for a protracted period. Destination(s) from which and back to patrons prefer to operate their own vehicles rather than rental units. Florida is one such, and I believe , unique destination. I would suggest additional service from snow belt cities to Florida...Chicago being a prime candidate. The origin and destination city pairs have to be able to generate traffic from densely populated areas to make them work. That's one person's (not necessarily knowldegable) opinion. Best regards, Rodger
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