We're taking the auto train in October with our adult son who uses a power wheel chair (no special medical needs).
In VA boarding begins at 11:30 am and "last call" is 2 to 2:30 pm.
Arrival in Sanford, FL is 9 am the next day. I've heard unloading can take as long as two hours.
There can be delays. A few years ago my daughter in law's family encountered a six hour delay somewhere in North or South Carolina. The regular trains have priority over the auto train.
There are a few auto train videos on YouTube that will give you more information.
We did not get a sleeper car. My son's wheelchair seat raises and reclines, he'll be able to spend the night sleeping in the wheel chair. He'll probably be more comfortable than my wife and I in the regular seats.
There is one "open" area on the bottom level of each sleeper car that they use for folks in wheelchairs. You can't reserve these spots, it's first come first served.
Boarding does not start at 1130. Cars are accepted to be loaded then, but actual boarding starts at 2:00 or so. The train is scheduled to leave at 4, but in all our trips (7 roundtrip so far) we have always left by 3:45.
Yes, the train can be delayed. We've never been delayed more than 5 hours, but there have been delays of 12 hours or more (rare) in the past. Our last trip down to FL, we didn't arrive in Sanford until after noon, due to two issues we encountered. There are very rare instances where the train is even later.
There are sleepers for handicapped on the lower level of each sleeper car (1 per car). I'm not sure what you mean by an "open" area on the bottom level for a wheelchair. ETA, I just looked at the layout and I see where the coach seats are there is open space, so that's probably what you're referring to. The bottom level has bathrooms, family bedroom, some roomettes, handicapped bedroom, and shower room as well as the entrance/exit for the car. The lower level of the coach cars have coach seats and bathrooms. Those in wheelchairs and have mobility issues are told to reserve seats/rooms on the lower level as the only way upstairs is a narrow winding stairwell. The only way between cars is the upper level.
Unloading time for cars really depends on how many cars are on the train. It can vary a lot, but we've never had our car faster than about an hour after arrival. You can pay for priority unloading, but there are a limited number available and they sell out pretty quickly.
Each seat has an outlet (two against the window for every two seats). Each sleeper car has at least one outlet. I don't know about plugging medical equipment in.
Yes, they will bring your dinner to you if you let them know once you are onboard. Your car attendant is the person to ask.
Here's a link to a page that shows the layout of the cars (sleeper and coach). Ignore the transition sleeper as the Auto Train doesn't use those. Just the Deluxe sleeper, sleeper and coach as well as dining and lounge cars. http://www.craigmashburn.com/amtrakcardiagrams.html
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