Frankly, like travel anywhere, on any public conveyance, it’s always best to keep your valuables and breakables with you. I also suggest that if you don’t exactly have to have it when you travel, and you absolutely can’t afford to loose it, for financial or sentimental reasons, then leave it at home. Of course, on the Autotrain, you should try to limit the amount of luggage you bring on the train. For most passengers, you’ve got to carry it to the 2nd floor of your train car, and do it via a narrow stairwell. Leave as much as you can in your vehicle.

With regard to your specific question, I think that your luggage and possessions left in the trunk of your car are generally safe. Personally, I’d help that by only giving Amtrak your valet key to drive the car. That’s the key you get which only can go into the car’s ignition. It can’t open the trunk or glove compartment.

Once you turn over your car to Amtrak, they almost immediately drive it into one of the car carrier train cars and park it, then move to the next car. Loading the vehicles into the train is a very busy time for them, so they can finish the job on time, so these cars can be attached to the train, so you leave on time. Once loaded, the vehicle cars are locked. At the end of the trip, Amtrak employees reverse the process. In an effort to get you your car as quickly as possible, they again move at a frenetic pace.

They really don’t have much time to try to steal your belongings during loading and unloading.

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.