The seats themselves are comfortable. They are similar to business class seats on non-Acela Amtrak cars They have good legroom, better than most airline and typical Amtrak coach seating. The coach cars have this type of seating on the top and bottom levels. They DO NOT fold down flat. When you try to sleep at night, you’ll have to go to sleep sitting up. Also while things do quiet down at night in the Coach cars, people still do move around (if only to go to the bathroom) and lights are on in the car so those who are staying up can read, etc. If you take one of the various sleeping options, you get to lie down to go to sleep, you have a door to close to keep out the noise, and you can turn off all lights.

As the Amtrak website states, “Meals are included in the price of all Auto Train tickets, no matter which class you travel in.” You can’t choose which dinner seating you get until you get to your departing station and check-in. (I think you were getting confused because of Amtrak’s website organization. You can click on a link to “Meal & Dining Options” from within the Autotrain area of the website, which actually takes you out of the Autotrain area. That link takes you to the general meal and dining option page for all Amtrak trains.) All Autotrain tickets include dinner and breakfast.

Glad I could help.

I’d seriously consider a smaller suitcase. While the 25 incher will fit, these are very narrow staircases, and you probably won’t be able to roll the suitcase in the aisle in your bedroom car. You’ll probably be carrying it. You only should bring what you need for the night on board. Leave the rest in your car.

It sounds like you’ll be fine on board and well entertained with what you’re bringing on board.

I always suggest getting to the station early. You want to choose the 7 pm dinner seating, but it’s the most popular. The earlier seating is just to early for me, as the late one is too late. A big advantage of the 7pm seating is it breaks up the evening better.

Enjoy the ride. It sure beats driving all that way.

I don’t know what kind of shape your 97 year old mother is, but if she would have trouble climbing a narrow set of stairs, you might need to change your reservation to one on the first floor. My dad is 93 and in pretty good shape for someone his age. He easily made it up the stairs. I carried his bag up. Once you’re up on the 2nd floor, until you leave the train the next morning, everything is on the 2nd floor, including both dinner and breakfast. You may have to walk through several cars to get through to the dining car. There is a snack, for right after you leave. It’s very nice; cheese, crackers, veggies, etc., and something to drink. It’s included. Sometimes they start serving prior to the train departing. You can go to the lounge car yourself for that and bring it back to your bedroom. There is no need for your mother to trek down to the lounge, unless she wants to.

Be prepared to sleep in the upper berth. I’m sure you want your mother below. You’ll need to use the shower/toilet room in your bedroom and the sink in shifts, as once the beds are made, there’s not a lot of room.

We had lots of stuff in the car itself, in the back seat. It was all in locked suitcases, or in locked boxes. We had no problem. My mom and dad have used the train for years and never had anything taken from the car. That being said, if it’s valuable, put it in the trunk. If it’s really valuable, take it with you in your small bag for the overnight trip.

You only want to take into the train what you may need for the night and the next morning. I had my small carry-on (airplane size) and my camera backpack. That’s it. My dad had a small carry-on, and nothing else. Have something to do on the train. You’ll be on it for a long time. We each had a good book we were just starting, and some cards. I also had my laptop and a couple of DVD movies. (My dad and I love old movies.) I had my iPod for some music with my small portable speakers. (I’m into electronic toys too.) With regard to the laptop. I had ATT internet service most of the way, but not late at night after about 9:30pm going north. After that it kept cutting out. The Verizon people I met said the same thing. There were a few spots with no cell service too.

About the shower. It worked great for me, and I really enjoyed getting cleaned up prior to bed after a long day driving to the train. The one caveat about the shower I would point out is that you need to snap the curtain in place with every snap or the shower could flood the room out the bottom of the door and you don’t want that or your rug will stink. Your mother will have to snap it herself if she’s going to use it. She can sit on the edge of the toilet seat cover if she has trouble bending down to do the lower snaps. You can’t help her with this as there’s only room for one at a time, and once snapped, you can’t get out without undoing the whole curtain.

If you have more questions, let me know.

Your notes are very helpful and loved your pictures, can’t wait to show them to Mother.

The cost per person and the SUV depend on the accommodations you choose and the size of the SUV. To determine your costs, go to the Auto Train area of Amtrak’s web site. There you’ll have to click on “Round Trip,” then put in Sanford for the “from” station and Lorton for the “to” station. Put in your departure and return dates and the number of people. Then click “Go.”

Then click on “Buy Rooms” for the departing and returning trains and choose what type of accommodations you want. I shared a bedroom with my Dad. Choose what you want of coach or a room of some kind.

After that you have to know the size of your SUV to determine whether it’s a regular or oversize vehicle. Make the appropriate choice then click next.

You will then have a detailed pricing of the trip.

Good luck.