The original Auto-Train was a very long train, for a passenger train. You can't model it lightly. With the prototype running around 30 cars in 1973, I figure you'll need two locomotives and 15 cars, with half being auto carriers. Here is my recommendation for a 1973-era Auto-Train:
| Place in Consist | Road Number | Description | Model Notes |
| U36B Diesel Locomotive | |||
| U36B Diesel Locomotive | |||
| 1 | 75' Auto Carrier | Walthers | |
| 2 | 75' Auto Carrier | Walthers | |
| 3 | 75' Auto Carrier | Walthers | |
| 4 | 75' Auto Carrier | Walthers | |
| 5 | 75' Auto Carrier | Walthers | |
| 6 | 75' Auto Carrier | Walthers | |
| 7 | 75' Auto Carrier | Walthers | |
| 8 | 135 | Steam Generator | Broadway Limited #1492 Zephyr WP Baggage Car #802 SILVER STAG. |
| 9 | 510-series | Full-Dome Coach-Dorm |
Walthers #9324 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge Dorm - Standard - San Francisco Chief -- Santa Fe #550-555. |
| 10 | 520-series | Full-Dome Coach | Walthers #9462 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge - Standard - 1954 El Capitan -- Santa Fe #506-513. |
| 11 | 540 or 541 | Full-Dome Night Club | Walthers #9462 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge - Standard - 1954 El Capitan -- Santa Fe #506-513. OR Bachmann #541. |
| 12 | 590-series | Kitchen-Dorm | <scratch build> |
| 13 | 590-series | Movie-Buffet | <scratch build> |
| 14 | 400-series OR 540-series |
Mini-Dome Coach |
Broadway Limited #538 SILVER SCOUT, #1496 SILVER THISTLE. OR Walthers #9600 Union Pacific(R) City Streamliner Car -- Observation-Dome-Lounge #9000-9014. |
| 15 | 200-series OR 300-series |
Sleeper | Walthers #9015 85' P-S REGAL Series 4-4-2 Sleeper -- Santa Fe. OR Walthers #9510 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- 5-5-2 Ocean Series Sleeper. |
| 15 cars | |||
