(The following by Gary Taylor appeared on the Orlando Sentinel website on November 19.)
ORLANDO, Fla. — It will be at least Saturday before Amtrak resumes operation of its popular Auto Train between Sanford and Lorton, Va.
Both the northbound and southbound trains were cancelled Tuesday when cracks were discovered in the underframes of the auto carriers. The cracks were discovered during a routine inspection before the train was scheduled to depart, Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell said. She did not know if the problem was first discovered in Florida or Virginia, but after the initial discovery problems were found on car carriers in both locations, she said.
The auto carriers were put in service “a couple of years ago,” she said. Amtrak is meeting with their manufacturer to determine if the cracks create a safety risk and what action might need to be taken, she said. They will make a decision Thursday about weekend trains.
Because the train was cancelled after passengers already had arrived Tuesday, some were put up in hotels, Connell said. Amtrak has since contacted everyone with reservations for today’s, Thursday’s and Friday’s trains. They will be offered refunds or reservations on future trains, she said.
The cancellations are forcing about 500 people a day to extend their stays or drive home..
“The Auto Train is a popular train this time of the year,” she said, noting that many northern residents travel south for the winter and many people travel for the holidays.