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[howardj]

Another really great trip on the Auto Train. First, the statistics... There were a total of 493 passengers and 263 Vehicles ( 219 cars and 44 vans) There were 16 passenger rail cars and 28 auto carriers. We left Sanford at 3:55 PM, 5 minutes early. We pulled in to Lorton Station at 9:00 AM, 30 minutes early. As usual we had arrived at the station early and we were one of the first 15 or so cars loaded. Our car came out at 10:45 and was among the last unloaded. The room attendant was David. He did a great, professional job. No problems. Dinner was very good. The flat iron steak was cooked exactly as ordered and the chicken was well prepared as well. Special dessert was lemon cocoanut cake ( very good). I do have some new ( I think ) information to report about the Auto Train. They are planning to offer " Priority" unloading of up to 20 vehicles per trip for an additional cost of $50. They experimented with that plan on this trip and had their computer select 20 cars at random to be the "Priority" vehicles. I learned about this because the car that checked in in front of me was one of those selected for the trial and I overheard some of the conversation and then asked the very nice woman in the check in booth about it and she provided the details. She indicated that they were going to start offering this in the next month or so. I personally think that depending on where you're headed when you get off the train that could be a very well spent $50. They are also making the entire Auto Train a " No Smoking" Train as of June 1. The only way for anyone to smoke will be to get off the train when it makes the stop in SC overnight. They'll allow you to get off as long as the train isn't running late.