Auto Train at Honeymoon Wye, 2016.

As the sun sets, the northbound Auto Train rounds Honeymoon Wye in Jacksonville, Fla. The train offers direct service between Sanford, Fla., conveniently located close to the state's famous theme parks, and Lorton, Va., a suburb of the nation's capital. It is the only Amtrak service to simultaneously transport passengers and their motor vehicles, including cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, small boats and water-skis. With locomotives and coach, sleeping, dining, lounge and auto carrier cars, the Auto Train is considered the longest passenger train in the world, often measuring about ¾ of a mile.

Every day, like clockwork, after all of the passengers have boarded and all the vehicles have been loaded, southbound train No. 53 and northbound train No. 52 pull out of their stations at 4 p.m. Each train stops just once, in Florence, S.C., to unload trash and take on fuel. The next day at 4 p.m., after turn-around service, the trains head out once again.

“Riding the Auto Train is a unique experience and a family oriented one," says Route Director Kathy Brewer. "We are building relationships from generation to generation. We have longtime riders whose grandchildren are now riding.”

Photographer: Chuck Gomez for Amtrak. From the Amtrak Corporate Collection.