Nope, no Pennsy content here! I've always been a closet Auto Train fan, ever since it was first featured in Model Railroader in December 1972 and January 1973. I had the privilege of riding the train later in 1973.
Auto-Train Corporation (reporting mark AUT) was a privately owned railroad which used its own rolling stock, and traveled on rails leased from major railroads along the route of its trains, serving central Florida from points in the Mid-Atlantic region near Washington, DC, and the Midwest near Louisville, Kentucky, during the 1970s. Despite the popularity of the service on its primary route, which parallels busy Interstate 95 along much of the eastern coast of the United States in five states, the company failed financially after operating for almost 10 years. After a hiatus, a similarly named and operated service (Auto Train) was begun under the government-financed Amtrak in 1983, which became one of the railroad's most popular services.
auto-train
by Doug Riddell
Published in 2016 by Doug Riddell with the underwriting of the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad Historical Society, auto-train is the definitive work on the auto-train Corp. story to date.
At 218 pages, the book is filled with tales of the auto-train, from its first days to its last -- all lavishly illustrated with hundreds of color photos.
Auto-Train in Color
by George W. Hamlin
Auto-Train In Color includes both the earlier red, white, & purple private-enterprise version commencing in the early 1970s as well as the more recent Amtrak operation. The equipment, facilities, and operations of both are featured, both trackside and onboard as they carry passengers and their automobiles between Virginia and Florida.
The December 1974 issue of Model Railroadermagazine kicked off a two-part article on modeling the Auto-Train.
There is an Auto-Train Modelers group on FaceBook.
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Auto-Train Consists
Auto-Train Videos
Auto-Train in HO Scale
Roster
The HO scale models listed below and marked with an asterisk will require custom painting and lettering.
Road Units |
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|
Road # |
S/N |
Built |
Model |
Builder |
Notes |
HO Model |
|
4000 |
38031 |
11/71 |
U36B |
GE |
Named “Big Red”. Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
Atlas #4000, 4002, 4005, 4006, 4009, 4010, 4012. Bachmann #4000. Athearn #4000. |
|
4001 |
38032 |
Wrecked 5/13/73 at Hortense, GA; scrapped. |
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|
4002 |
38033 |
Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
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|
4003 |
38034 |
Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
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|
4004 |
38035 |
Wrecked 5/13/73 at Hortense, GA; scrapped. |
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|
4005 |
38744 |
12/72 |
Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
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|
4006 |
38745 |
Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
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|
4007 |
38746 |
Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
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|
4008 |
38747 |
Involved in grade crossing accident and scrapped. |
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|
4009 |
38748 |
"Smiley Face and Bow Tie" unit. Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
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|
4010 |
39844 |
05/74 |
Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
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|
4011 |
39845 |
Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
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|
4012 |
39846 |
Scrapped circa 1984-85. |
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Switcher Units |
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Road # |
S/N |
Built |
Model |
Builder |
Notes |
HO Model |
|
621 |
75674 |
05/52 |
S12 |
Baldwin |
Ex-Erie 621; Purchased 1972; Named “Gene”. |
Bowser |
|
622 |
70291 |
12/44 |
VO1000 |
Ex-US Navy 65-00059; Purchased 1973; Named “Pam”. |
Bowser * Broadway Limited * |
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|
623 |
71542 |
11/45 |
Ex-WP 583; Purchased in 1973. |
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|
624 |
71528 |
10/45 |
Ex-WP 581; Purchased in 1973; Named “Lou”. |
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| 625 | 74661 | S12 | Ex-SAL #1427. | Bowser * | ||
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Rolling Stock |
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|
Car # |
Present Car Type |
Former Owner |
Former # |
Former Car Type |
Builder |
Built |
HO Model |
|
1 |
Business |
SCL |
Southland |
Built for the Santa Fe as a parlor observation #3217. Purchased by SAL in 1948 and rebuilt as business car Birmingham. Name changed to Southwind in 1953. The only true heavyweight to run on A-T. |
PS |
1914 |
|
|
2 |
SP |
9012 Edna II |
Converted to a business car by the Pickens Railroad and owned by comedian Jackie Gleason. It's life on A-T was short-lived. |
Budd |
1950 |
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|
3-71 |
74'5" Bi-Level Automobile Carriers |
CN |
730000 Series |
A-T #3, 6 and 12 were converted into cabooses for the St. Louis route. |
CC&F |
1956-58 |
Bachmann (un-numbered). Walthers (three numbers) #33. |
| 90 | Caboose | FEC | 801 | 40' box car converted to a caboose by the FEC. | |||
| 91 | 804 | ||||||
| 92 | 808 | ||||||
| 93 | 810 | ||||||
| 94 | 811 | ||||||
| 100-140 | Tri-Level Automobile Carriers | SEICO | 1974-77 | ||||
|
130 |
Steam Generator |
BN |
H-01 |
Rebuilt from NP Class A 4-8-4 Northern tender H1. |
GN |
1929 |
|
|
131 |
H-02 |
Rebuilt from NP Class A 4-8-4 Northern tender H2. |
ACF |
1913 |
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|
132 |
H-03 |
Baggage car. |
StL |
1928 |
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|
133 |
H-04 |
Rebuilt from NP Class A 4-8-4 Northern tender H4. |
StL |
1928 |
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|
134 |
H-09 |
Box Express car. |
GN |
1948 |
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|
135 |
WP |
801 SILVER BEAVER
|
Baggage |
Budd |
1948 |
Broadway Limited #1492 Zephyr WP Baggage Car #802 SILVER STAG. * | |
|
136 |
ATSF |
3933 |
Converted to steam generator cars by the Santa Fe in 1970. |
PS |
1965 |
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|
137 |
3932 |
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|
138 |
3926 |
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| 139 | Amtrak | 458 | Ex-UP #956B EMD E9B. | EMD | |||
| 140 | 460 | Ex-UP #958B EMD E9B. | |||||
| 190-196 | Single-Level Automobile Carriers | RF&P | ACF | 1937 | |||
|
201 |
Sleeper |
ATSF |
Regal Arms |
4-4-2 At least some of these cars retained their ATSF livery until January 1974 - MSB p. 47. |
ACF |
1950 |
Walthers #9015 85' P-S REGAL Series 4-4-2 Sleeper -- Santa Fe.* |
|
202 |
Regal Corps |
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203 |
Regal Court |
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|
204 |
Regal Elm |
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|
205 |
Regal Gate |
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|
206 |
Regal Gulf |
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| 240 | NH | Monument Beach |
6-6-4 May have been used as a crew dormitory - MSB, p. 21. |
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| 248 | RF&P | King and Queen | 10-6 | ||||
| Unknown | B&O | Alleghany | MSB p. 23. | ||||
| 250 | Amtrak | 2240; ex-SCL Monticello; ex-C&O |
11DB Riddell p. 199. |
PS | 1950 | ||
| 251 |
Amtrak |
2803 Valusia County; ex-SCL 6657 Valusia County; ex-ACL Volusia County; ex-C&O 2618 City of Anerson |
10-6
Riddell p. 199. |
PS | 1950 | ||
| 252 |
Amtrak |
2301 Honey Bird; ex-SCL 6201 Honey Bird; ex-ACL Ashley RIver |
14-2 rebuilt by ACL in 1961 to a 7-2 configuration. | ACF | |||
| 253 | Amtrak | 2241; ex-SCL Natural Bridge; ex-C&O |
11DB Riddell p. 199. |
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|
301 |
UP |
Ocean Sands |
5-2-2 At least some of these cars retained their UP livery until January 1974 - MSB p. 47. |
ACF |
1953-54 |
Walthers #9510 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- 5-5-2 Ocean Series Sleeper.* New run due Summer 2024 (#18820/18830) | |
|
302 |
Ocean View |
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|
303 |
Ocean Mist |
PS |
1955-56 |
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304 |
Ocean Scene |
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305 |
Ocean Sunset |
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N/A |
L&N |
Whispering Pine |
6-6-4 These cars were never painted into A-T livery and were used as rider cars for deadheading crews. |
PS |
1953 |
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N/A |
Short Leaf Pine |
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N/A |
Green Pine |
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|
460 |
Dome Coach |
WP |
Silver Dollar |
46 seat [short] dome coach reconfigured to have 12 non-revenue rotating lounge seats in place of the 24 forward-facing paired dome seats while lower level coach seats were reduced to 36. |
Budd |
1948 |
Broadway Limited #538 SILVER SCOUT, #1496 SILVER THISTLE. * |
|
461 |
Silver Feather |
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|
462 |
Silver Palace |
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|
463 |
Silver Sage |
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|
464 |
Silver Thistle |
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|
470 |
Silver Schooner |
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|
471 |
Silver Scout |
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|
510 |
"Big Dome" Coach-Dorm |
ATSF |
554 |
51 seats. 12 beths lower level - crew dormitory and small lounge. |
Budd |
1954 |
Walthers #9324 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge Dorm - Standard - San Francisco Chief -- Santa Fe #550-555.* |
|
511 |
555 |
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|
512 |
550 |
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|
513 |
551 |
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|
514 |
552 |
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|
515 |
553 |
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|
520 |
"Big Dome" Coach |
ATSF |
508 |
51 seats. 12 beths lower level - lounge and nurse's room. |
Budd |
1954 |
Walthers #9462 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge - Standard - 1954 El Capitan -- Santa Fe #506-513.* |
|
521 |
509 |
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|
522 |
510 |
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|
523 |
511 |
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|
524 |
513 |
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|
540 |
"Big Dome" Night Club |
ATSF |
507 |
44 seat night club. 28 seat lower level bar lounge and nurse's room. |
Budd |
1954 |
Walthers #9462 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge - Standard - 1954 El Capitan -- Santa Fe #506-513.* Bachmann #541. |
|
541 |
512 |
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|
542 |
Astra-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9007 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
Walthers #9600 Union Pacific(R) City Streamliner Car -- Observation-Dome-Lounge #9000-9014.* New run due Summer 2024 (#18210/18710) |
|
543 |
9011 |
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|
570 |
Buffet |
N&W |
1837; ex-Wabash1430 |
Coach Riddell indicates there is no evidence that 572, 574 and 576 were ever actually used in A-T service. |
ACF |
1950 |
|
|
572 |
1835; ex-Wabash1428 |
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|
574 |
1836; ex-Wabash1429 |
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|
576 |
1834; ex-Wabash 1427 |
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|
580 |
WP |
Silver Palm |
16-section sleepers converted to 48 seat coaches in 1963-64 - Riddell p. 193. |
Budd |
1948 |
Broadway Limited #152 #872 SILVER POPLAR.* | |
|
582 |
Silver Poplar |
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|
590 |
Movie-Buffet |
SCL |
5990; ex-ACL St. Petersburg; ex-C&O 1971 |
Diner |
Budd |
1948 |
|
|
591 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
5991; ex-ACL 127; ex-C&O 1941 |
Kitchen-dorm |
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|
592 |
Movie-Buffet |
5992; ex-ACL Winter Haven; ex-C&O 1970 |
Diner |
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|
593 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
5993; ex-ACL 128; ex-C&O 1940 |
Kitchen-dorm |
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|
594 |
Movie-Buffet |
5994; ex-ACL Fort Myers; ex-C&O 1972 |
Diner |
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|
595 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
5995; ex-ACL 129; ex-C&O 1942 |
Kitchen-dorm |
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|
596 |
Movie-Buffet |
5996; ex-ACL Port Tampa; ex-C&O Swan Tavern |
Diner |
PS |
1950 |
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|
597 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
5997; ex-ACL 125; ex-C&O Swan Kitchen |
Kitchen-dorm |
Walthers #9407 et al -- 85' P-S Kitchen-Dormitory.* | |||
|
598 |
Movie-Buffet |
5998; ex-ACL Winter Park; ex-C&O Postlethwait’s Tavern |
Diner |
Walthers #9416 et al -- 85' P-S 56-Seat Full Dining Car.* | |||
|
599 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
5999; ex-ACL 126; ex-C&O Postlethwait’s Kitchen |
Kitchen-dorm |
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|
602 |
Rider Car |
SCL |
Bay Pines; ex-SAL |
5-1-4-4 rebuilt by A-T into a 7-3-1 configuration. |
Budd |
1955 |
Rapido -- Budd Manor Sleeper.* |
|
604 |
Cedartown; ex-SAL |
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|
606 |
Pinehurst; ex-SAL |
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| 630 | Crew Dormitory | RF&P | 403 Spotsylvania County | PS | 1949 | ||
| 631 | 404 Stratford County | ||||||
| 632 | 406 King William | ||||||
| 633 | 409 King & Queen | ||||||
| 634 | Byrd Island | ||||||
|
700 |
Astra-Dome Coaches |
UP |
7001 |
Seats for 20 in the dome and 36 on the main level. |
ACF |
1954-55 |
Walthers #9580 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- Dome-Coach #7000-7009.* New run due Summer 2024 (#18060/18560) |
|
701 |
7002 |
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|
702 |
7003 |
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|
703 |
7004 |
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|
704 |
7005 |
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|
705 |
7007 |
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|
706 |
7009 |
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|
707 |
7011 |
PS |
1958 |
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|
708 |
7012 |
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|
709 |
7015 |
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|
800 |
Astra-Dome Dining Cars |
8000 |
|
ACF |
1954-55 |
Walthers #9590 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- Dome-Diner #8000-8009.* New run due Summer 2024 (#18160/18660) | |
|
801 |
8001 |
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|
802 |
8002 |
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|
803 |
8004 |
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|
804 |
8005 |
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|
805 |
8006 |
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|
806 |
8007 |
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|
807 |
8008 |
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|
808 |
8009 |
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|
900 |
Astra-Dome Lounge Observation |
9000 |
Seats for 20 in the dome and 24 on the main level. | ACF | 1954-55 | Walthers #9600 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- Observation-Dome-Lounge #9000-9014.* New run due Summer 2024 (#18210/18710) | |
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901 |
9001 |
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|
902 |
9002 |
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|
903 |
9003 |
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|
904 |
9005 |
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|
905 |
9006 |
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907 |
9008 |
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|
908 |
9009 |
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|
909 |
9010 |
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911 |
9012 |
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912 |
9013 |
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|
913 |
9014 |
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