Amtrak Auto Train - Late May 2012

On the night of May 29, 2012, we're on CSX's A-Line in Folkston GA to chase trains, while on our way to Atlanta GA to chase Southern KS Consolidation #630 on her Employee Trips out of the City in the Forest. Soon, we caught Amtrak Train #53, the Southbound Auto Train, from Lorton VA to Sanford FL. The train was running, surprisingly, on time, & was keeping to time behind 2 rebuilt P40DC's, as it races towards the Florida Coast. At the time, the A-Line saw 4 Amtrak Trains: the Silver Star (Trains 91 & 92), the Silver Meteor (Trains 97 & 98), the Auto Train (Shown Here/Trains 52 & 53), & the Palmetto (Trains 89 & 90). Since 1995, the train has been running with Superliner Coaches, which remains the consist to this day & has been upgraded to the 89ft Johnstown America Aluminum Autoracks since 2006. The 2 P40DC's leading the train, had underwent through a rebuilding program conducted by Amtrak at their Beech Grove Shops in Indianapolis IN, & were put back into service on the Auto Train, which they continue service until the arrival of the ALC-42 Chargers in 2023-2024. The train would arrive in Sanford, the following morning, where the Automobiles would be unloaded & the Passengers would disembark for their respective destinations.

@evangaines 2026

TRS22

New River Train Productions