Trains, can you bring your own personal car on them?

Question

I know a long while ago maybe 5 or so years ago my grandmother traveled by train from Florida to PA.(she is dead, so I can't ask her) I know that she was able to put her car on the train. Is that still possible to do that still? If so, with what company do you arrange it with? Is it fairly expensive?

Answer 1

Yes, you can arrange for the car to both move on a train and to have it arrive at your destination at the same time as you do.

Open the phone directory (yellow pages) and look for Freight Forwarders, or Auto Transport, or Car Transport, as you will find forwarders and brokers that specialize in this service. Finding a specialty company is likely best for you as they will have experience in the move, and can guide you accordingly.

For any choice you make, you need to make the arrangements in advance of your travel date to ensure a timely arrival.

If you choose to send it by train  the car will probably travel on a freight train and most long-haul trains are now run as either passenger cars only or freight cars only, so even if you are travelling on a train the car would probably be on a different  one, and it would leave at an earlier date, to allow for connections.

There is no set cost as it varies by carrier (different rail companies) and it will vary depending on the actual cities at each end, because not every railroad company will have its own rails and equipment operating between your choice of cities, so connections must be arranged to get your car to its proper destination.  All of this will be fully arranged for you, at one cost.

You should  contact at least two or three companies to ask for quotes on the service and cost. They will want to know the make and model of your car in order to estimate the size and weight, as this may affect the net cost to you.  Get the quote in writing, and also ask for their guarantee of possible damage insurance.

Good luck on your move.

:)

Answer 2

they'll take anything.could be expensive though. go to www.cn.ca.

Answer 3

She took the AutoTrain. It`s here on Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_Train

Answer 4

It's probably better to just sell the car here and then buy a new one there.What about all your clothes,furniture,etc?How are u moving that?

Answer 5

i think so they carry everything else

Answer 6

Depends on what kind of train you're taking.  I'm almost certain you couldn't do this with a MARC train.

Answer 7

You can do this on Amtrak's Auto train.  It runs from Lorton Virginia right outside Washington DC to Sanford Florida.  The price to put a car on the train is $191 and a seat on the train cost $111.  The trip takes 17 1/2 hours.  Check out: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentSer... for all the rules and regulations for bringing your vehicle.

Answer 8

There is only one train route in the United States that allows passengers to take their automobiles with them as they travel, and that's Amtrak's Auto Train service.  It goes each day between Sanford, Florida (which is located just north of Orlando), and Lorton, Virginia, which is just south of Washington, DC.  That's surely the train that your grandmother took--there is no other.

If you'd like to learn more about the Auto Train, this link will take you to an Auto Train Rider's Guide compiled by some friends of mine.

http://www.on-track-on-line.com/autotrai...

UPDATE:

Amtrak won't be of help to you in taking your car to San Diego.  The note posted above mine, which discusses putting a car on a freight train, is your only rail option.  In terms of getting yourself to San Diego from Pennsylvania it can be done, but it will require changing trains in Chicago and Los Angeles and will take several days.  Check Amtrak's website (www.amtrak.com) for more information.