Lorton, VA

The Lorton station anchors one end of Amtrak’s Auto Train—the only train of its kind in the United States to carry passengers and their automobiles. Although begun by a private company in 1971, Amtrak took over the Auto Train in 1983. Running daily between Lorton, Va. and Sanford, Fla., the Auto Train allows travelers along the East Coast to enjoy the ride without the stress of battling traffic -- while also offering passengers the convenience of using their own vehicle once they’ve reached their destination.   

Why Lorton? Like many things, the answer is simple: It is the farthest point north that the auto rack cars can go, as they are too tall to fit through the railroad tunnels north of Washington, DC, not to mention too long. After loading, the rail cars and the passenger cars are made up into a single long train, often 40 cars or more, the longest passenger train in the world. Lorton, a suburb of the nation’s capital, is also within an easy day’s drive from Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. 

The current station building opened in July 2000, after extensive renovations to the older facility. A far cry from the gravel parking lot and pavilion tents that sheltered passengers in the past, the new station was designed to offer travelers modern conveniences. Soaring palm-styled steel pillars support the front colonnade of the glass-walled waiting room, and while waiting to board, passengers may check in for diner dinner seatings, do a little shopping, or spend some time with their children in the station’s playground.