Taking the S550 on the Auto Train
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 318
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2014 S550, 2011 E350 Cabriolet, Asgard Mothership
Taking the S550 on the Auto Train
I know some of you are going to think I have lost my mind, but I am taking my car on the Amtrak Auto Train this summer. I have done this several times before and they do take good care of the cars (although I am sure we will be regaled with the requisite horror stories).
In any event, the reason I posted this is for information. Amtrak requires that the car be no wider than 84 inches. Our cars are 83.9 inches with the mirrors in the normal position. They also require you to have at least 4 inches of ground clearance. Our cars have about 10 (with the 20 inch wheels on mine) unless you have a drop kit.
My plan is to turn off the auto-folding mirrors and before I give them the car to drive on the train, fold the mirrors. This way the mirrors will stay folded in the whole time (I already tested this). Then the car has a good 3 inches on each side.
My experience with the Auto Train has been that they take video of the car before they take it from you. I will be going over it with a fine tooth comb after they give it back to me. I also paid $50 extra to be one of the first 20 cars unloaded. I will also ask them to keep it on the lower rack versus putting it higher.
I do love the train as it is is a nice way to travel. The sleeper compartments are comfortable and you get a nice club car separate from the "live chicken" class in coach
Of course, I will have my quick detailer and waterless wash in the back to clean it up after I get to the Poconos.
Let the horror stories commence
In any event, the reason I posted this is for information. Amtrak requires that the car be no wider than 84 inches. Our cars are 83.9 inches with the mirrors in the normal position. They also require you to have at least 4 inches of ground clearance. Our cars have about 10 (with the 20 inch wheels on mine) unless you have a drop kit.
My plan is to turn off the auto-folding mirrors and before I give them the car to drive on the train, fold the mirrors. This way the mirrors will stay folded in the whole time (I already tested this). Then the car has a good 3 inches on each side.
My experience with the Auto Train has been that they take video of the car before they take it from you. I will be going over it with a fine tooth comb after they give it back to me. I also paid $50 extra to be one of the first 20 cars unloaded. I will also ask them to keep it on the lower rack versus putting it higher.
I do love the train as it is is a nice way to travel. The sleeper compartments are comfortable and you get a nice club car separate from the "live chicken" class in coach
Of course, I will have my quick detailer and waterless wash in the back to clean it up after I get to the Poconos.
Let the horror stories commence
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Joined: Nov 2013
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S 550
Will look forward to hearing about your experience with the S on the auto train. Have wondered if doing a train ride across the country would be worthwhile. Intrigues me...
Wondering why you want a lower rack vs an upper rack? My grandfather shipped his car on an auto carrier once and his car was on a lower rack and ended up with fluids dripping from a car on the upper rack and had to have his hood repainted.
Wondering why you want a lower rack vs an upper rack? My grandfather shipped his car on an auto carrier once and his car was on a lower rack and ended up with fluids dripping from a car on the upper rack and had to have his hood repainted.
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From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
I was wondering the same thing. From doing a quick Google image search of the set up, it looks like the ramp is much less steep for the lower rack vs. the upper rack. I bet Tom's doing that to minimize the chance of the bottom scraping on approach.
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From: East part of Texas
2017 CLS550
This is intriguing and something I have never done. Since you have done it before you obviously like it and know what you are doing. But I can't help but think - you have a brand new S class and you want to take a train? Why not take your time, drive the car to where you want to go and fully enjoy it and the sights along the way? Isn't this what you did with your Euro delivery?
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Tesla Model S P100D
Based on how long you are staying I'm sure you did the math to make sure it does not make more sense to rent something really nice when you get there. I'd be really nervous doing that and worry about my car the entire time but it seems you know the routine.
Are the car carriers completely enclosed? I too would have thought it is better to be in the upper level... Please let us know how this works out.
Are the car carriers completely enclosed? I too would have thought it is better to be in the upper level... Please let us know how this works out.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 318
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2014 S550, 2011 E350 Cabriolet, Asgard Mothership
Hey, what goes up must come down We are taking the auto train up and then driving back. We are coming back from CT so I am talking the scenic route on the Jersey Shore to Cape May, the ferry to Lewes, DE, then down the peninsula to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel into VA beach. Then down through Myrtle Beach and back to Florida.
To me, the train is part of the vacation. The car is great to drive on the highway but the train is a really nice experience for me. I realize not everyone gets the romance of trains but I take them whenever I can —sadly in the US, that means the Auto Train unless you live in the Northeast or West Coast. There will be plenty of driving involved.
As far as this thread...Yes, the reason I have heard people talk about putting nicer cars on the bottom was to avoid the incline going up the ramp. That is more for low riding sports cars but I can ask. I will have to see if they have a solid floor so the car above cannot leak on the cars below. I never checked before. The OptiCoat can take it as the car has the sacrificial layer on top of the clear coat now, but why risk it? Honestly, this is one of those things that just couldn't work where a car above could leak, but I will check with Amtrak.
We are taking the auto train up and then driving back. We are coming back from CT so I am talking the scenic route on the Jersey Shore to Cape May, the ferry to Lewes, DE, then down the peninsula to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel into VA beach. Then down through Myrtle Beach and back to Florida. To me, the train is part of the vacation. The car is great to drive on the highway but the train is a really nice experience for me. I realize not everyone gets the romance of trains but I take them whenever I can —sadly in the US, that means the Auto Train unless you live in the Northeast or West Coast. There will be plenty of driving involved.
As far as this thread...Yes, the reason I have heard people talk about putting nicer cars on the bottom was to avoid the incline going up the ramp. That is more for low riding sports cars but I can ask. I will have to see if they have a solid floor so the car above cannot leak on the cars below. I never checked before. The OptiCoat can take it as the car has the sacrificial layer on top of the clear coat now, but why risk it? Honestly, this is one of those things that just couldn't work where a car above could leak, but I will check with Amtrak.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2013
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2014 S550, 2011 E350 Cabriolet, Asgard Mothership
Today's the day. I drove into the Sanford Auto Train station, they put a priority card ON THE DASH ( no magnet on the side). They took video, put plastic in the car to protect it and drove it on the train. I gave them the valet key and took the Keyless Go button out. A very easy process I paid $50 extra to be priority unloaded so car is first 20 cars off the train.
Not much else on the car front. I will post again after I get the car.
I did bring waterless wash, hybrid v7 detail spray and microfiber towels to clean it up when I arrive in the Poconos tomorrow.
Not much else on the car front. I will post again after I get the car.
I did bring waterless wash, hybrid v7 detail spray and microfiber towels to clean it up when I arrive in the Poconos tomorrow.
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Love trains. Totally understand what you are talking about. Remember taking a train from New York to Florida and it was lots of fun.
No car with me though. Hope you have a great trip.
No car with me though. Hope you have a great trip.
