In looking at the Auto Train, it has exceptional OTP for an LD train. Over the last 5 days, 53 arrived into Sanford no less than 53 minutes early every day, with most days putting the train into SFA more than an hour early. Similarly, 52 never arrived into Lorton less than 30 minutes early, with the peak being more than 2 hours early last week! I believe this may have been discussed in the past, but my search didn't turn up anything. Why not condense the schedule somewhat? I am very aware that an early train is better than a late train, but isn't an arrival 2 hours early a bit on the excessive side? It seems to me that a schedule that is shortened by even 15-20 minutes would be enough to sway some new customers into riding the Auto Train (not that it's having problems attracting riders in its present form by any means). Is there some kind of set time that CSX dispatchers want to run this train in? Do the trains run closer to schedule in the summer when there are heat restrictions and what not?
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