The Amtrak car moving train is a fun and fast way for people to move themselves and their vehicles from the Washington, D.C., area to Central Florida or back. Whether it’s for vacation purposes or even to make an actual move go a little quicker, the train’s a great way to go.
Packing for the adventure, however, can be almost as crazy as putting together boxes for a moving truck. There are some tips and tricks, however, anyone using the Amtrak car moving train can employ to make the process go a little easier.
Since the Amtrak car moving service only allows passengers to bring two carry-on bags with them on the train, any bigger items will likely need to be stowed in the vehicle itself. As long as luggage racks are not in use during transport, the service does allow for vehicles to be loaded. Here are some do’s and don’ts of packing for Amtrak car moving.
Carry-on bags The strategy for packing carry-on bags for the ride will be the same whether a person is moving for good or just going on vacation. Economy and importance are the keys here.
The do’s for carry-on bags on the Amtrak car moving service are:
• Do pack items you will need on the 17-hour trip. Toiletries, a change of clothing and even a good book are all great ideas. Don’t forget any medications that might be necessary, as well. If children are along for the ride, don’t forget things to keep them occupied, too.
• Do bring important papers if they’re necessary for the trip. For example, insurance information, credit cards and so on should not be left in the vehicle during transport.
• Do bring small items of value with you on your person just to be safe. For example, jewelry, watches and so on.
Don’ts
• Do not bring hazardous or illegal substances onboard the Amtrak car moving train.
• Do not try to smuggle onboard items that are too big for the passenger compartments. The service clearly states two bags per person and they mean it.
Vehicles The Amtrak car shipping service allows passengers to pack up their vehicles for the ride. The train company does recommend passengers use a little common sense in the process, however. Since luggage racks are not allowed to be in use and it’s highly recommended that valuables be kept out of sight, the options here are limited, but it’s amazing what can be stowed under seats and in trunks. With this in mind, here are some packing do’s and don’ts for vehicles.
Do’s
• Do pack smaller items you don’t want to be parted from while waiting for the movers.
• Do pack small kitchen items you might need right away, especially if the movers are a day or two behind.
• If on vacation, pack the things you’ll need. Fishing poles, surf boards (if they fit in the vehicle) and so on.
Don’ts
• Do not put highly breakable items in a vehicle unless they are well protected.
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight.
• Do not pack hazardous or flammable items within a vehicle.
The Amtrak car shipping service is a fantastic choice for anyone that needs to get their car and themselves to one of the stations of call in a timely fashion, but there are some rules of rail when it comes to packing.
