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.
Roster
|
Road Units |
|||||
|
Road # |
S/N |
Built |
Model |
Builder |
Notes |
|
4000 |
38031 |
11/71 |
U36B |
GE |
Named “Big Red” |
|
4001 |
38032 |
11/71 |
U36B |
GE |
Wrecked 5/13/73 at Hortense, GA; Scrapped |
|
4002 |
38033 |
11/71 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
4003 |
38034 |
11/71 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
4004 |
38035 |
11/71 |
U36B |
GE |
Wrecked 5/13/73 at Hortense, GA; Scrapped |
|
4005 |
38744 |
12/72 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
4006 |
38745 |
12/72 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
4007 |
38746 |
12/72 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
4008 |
38747 |
12/72 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
4009 |
38748 |
12/72 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
4010 |
39844 |
05/74 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
4011 |
39845 |
05/74 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
4012 |
39846 |
05/74 |
U36B |
GE |
|
|
Switcher Units |
|||||
|
Road # |
S/N |
Built |
Model |
Builder |
Notes |
|
621 |
75674 |
05/52 |
S12 |
Baldwin |
Ex-Erie 621; Purchased 1972; Named “Gene” |
|
622 |
70291 |
12/44 |
VO1000 |
Baldwin |
Ex-US Navy 65-00059; Purchased 1973; Named “Pam” |
|
623 |
71542 |
11/45 |
VO1000 |
Baldwin |
Ex-WP 583; Purchased in 1973 |
|
624 |
71528 |
10/45 |
VO1000 |
Baldwin |
Ex-WP 581; Purchased in 1973; Named “Lou” |
|
Rolling Stock |
||||||
|
Car # |
Present Car Type |
Former Owner |
Former # |
Former Car Type |
Builder |
Built |
|
1 |
Business |
ATSF |
3217 |
Parlor-observation; rblt by SAL to business car Birmingham in 1948; renamed Southland in 1953; to SCL in 1967 |
PS |
1914 |
|
2 |
Business |
|
Edna II |
|
|
|
|
3-71 |
Auto-carriers |
CN |
730000 Series |
|
CC&F |
1956-58 |
|
130 |
Steam Generator |
BN; GN |
1 |
Steam generator |
GN |
1929 |
|
131 |
Steam Generator |
BN; GN |
2 |
Baggage; converted by BN in 1943 |
ACF |
1913 |
|
132 |
Steam Generator |
BN; GN |
3 |
Steam generator |
StL |
1928 |
|
133 |
Steam Generator |
BN; GN |
4 |
Steam generator |
StL |
1928 |
|
134 |
Steam Generator |
BN; GN |
9 |
Boxcar; converted by GN in 1951 |
GN |
1948 |
|
135 |
Steam Generator |
WP |
801 |
Baggage |
Budd |
1948 |
|
136 |
Steam Generator |
ATSF |
3933 |
Baggage |
PS |
1965 |
|
137 |
Steam Generator |
ATSF |
3932 |
Baggage |
PS |
1965 |
|
138 |
Steam Generator |
ATSF |
3926 |
Baggage |
PS |
1965 |
|
201 |
Sleeper |
ATSF |
Regal Arms |
4-4-2 |
ACF |
1950 |
|
202 |
Sleeper |
ATSF |
Regal Corps |
4-4-2 |
ACF |
1950 |
|
203 |
Sleeper |
ATSF |
Regal Court |
4-4-2 |
ACF |
1950 |
|
204 |
Sleeper |
ATSF |
Regal Elm |
4-4-2 |
ACF |
1950 |
|
205 |
Sleeper |
ATSF |
Regal Gate |
4-4-2 |
ACF |
1950 |
|
206 |
Sleeper |
ATSF |
Regal Gulf |
4-4-2 |
ACF |
1950 |
|
301 |
Sleeper |
UP |
Ocean Sands |
5-2-2 |
ACF |
1953 |
|
302 |
Sleeper |
UP |
Ocean View |
5-2-2 |
ACF |
1953 |
|
303 |
Sleeper |
UP |
Ocean Mist |
5-2-2 |
PS |
1955 |
|
304 |
Sleeper |
UP |
Ocean Scene |
5-2-2 |
PS |
1955 |
|
305 |
Sleeper |
UP |
Ocean Sunset |
5-2-2 |
PS |
1955 |
|
N/A |
Sleeper |
L&N |
Whispering Pine |
6-6-4 |
PS |
1953 |
|
N/A |
Sleeper |
L&N |
Short Leaf Pine |
6-6-4 |
PS |
1953 |
|
N/A |
Sleeper |
L&N |
Green Pine |
6-6-4 |
PS |
1953 |
|
460 |
Mini-Dome Coach |
WP |
Silver Dollar |
Dome-coach |
Budd |
1948 |
|
461 |
Mini-Dome Coach |
WP |
Silver Feather |
Dome-coach |
Budd |
1948 |
|
462 |
Mini-Dome Coach |
WP |
Silver Palace |
Dome-coach |
Budd |
1948 |
|
463 |
Mini-Dome Coach |
WP |
Silver Sage |
Dome-coach |
Budd |
1948 |
|
464 |
Mini-Dome Coach |
WP |
Silver Thistle |
Dome-coach |
Budd |
1948 |
|
470 |
Mini-Dome Coach |
WP |
Silver Schooner |
Dome-coach |
Budd |
1948 |
|
471 |
Mini-Dome Coach |
WP |
Silver Scout |
Dome-coach |
Budd |
1948 |
|
510 |
Full-Dome Coach-Dorm |
ATSF |
554 |
Dome-lounge-dorm |
Budd |
1954 |
|
511 |
Full-Dome Coach-Dorm |
ATSF |
555 |
Dome-lounge-dorm |
Budd |
1954 |
|
512 |
Full-Dome Coach-Dorm |
ATSF |
550 |
Dome-lounge-dorm |
Budd |
1954 |
|
513 |
Full-Dome Coach-Dorm |
ATSF |
551 |
Dome-lounge-dorm |
Budd |
1954 |
|
514 |
Full-Dome Coach-Dorm |
ATSF |
552 |
Dome-lounge-dorm |
Budd |
1954 |
|
515 |
Full-Dome Coach-Dorm |
ATSF |
553 |
Dome-lounge-dorm |
Budd |
1954 |
|
520 |
Full-Dome Coach |
ATSF |
508 |
Dome-lounge |
Budd |
1954 |
|
521 |
Full-Dome Coach |
ATSF |
509 |
Dome-lounge |
Budd |
1954 |
|
522 |
Full-Dome Coach |
ATSF |
510 |
Dome-lounge |
Budd |
1954 |
|
523 |
Full-Dome Coach |
ATSF |
511 |
Dome-lounge |
Budd |
1954 |
|
524 |
Full-Dome Coach |
ATSF |
513 |
Dome-lounge |
Budd |
1954 |
|
540 |
Full-Dome Night Club |
ATSF |
507 |
Dome-lounge |
Budd |
1954 |
|
541 |
Full-Dome Night Club |
ATSF |
512 |
Dome-lounge |
Budd |
1954 |
|
542 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9007 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
543 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9011 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
570 |
Buffet |
N&W; Wabash |
1837; 1430 |
Coach |
ACF |
1950 |
|
572 |
Buffet |
N&W; Wabash |
1835; 1428 |
Coach |
ACF |
1950 |
|
574 |
Buffet |
N&W; Wabash |
1836; 1429 |
Coach |
ACF |
1950 |
|
576 |
Buffet |
N&W; Wabash |
1834; 1427 |
Coach |
ACF |
1950 |
|
580 |
Buffet |
WP |
Silver Palm |
16-section sleeper; coach |
Budd |
1948 |
|
582 |
Buffet |
WP |
Silver Poplar |
16-section sleeper; coach |
Budd |
1948 |
|
590 |
Movie-Buffet |
SCL |
5990; ex-ACL St. Petersburg; ex-C&O 1971 |
Diner |
Budd |
1948 |
|
591 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
SCL |
5991; ex-ACL 127; ex-C&O 1941 |
Kitchen-dorm |
Budd |
1948 |
|
592 |
Movie-Buffet |
SCL |
5992; ex-ACL Winter Haven; ex-C&O 1970 |
Diner |
Budd |
1948 |
|
593 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
SCL |
5993; ex-ACL 128; ex-C&O 1940 |
Kitchen-dorm |
Budd |
1948 |
|
594 |
Movie-Buffet |
SCL |
5994; ex-ACL Fort Myers; ex-C&O 1972 |
Diner |
Budd |
1948 |
|
595 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
SCL |
5995; ex-ACL 129; ex-C&O 1942 |
Kitchen-dorm |
Budd |
1948 |
|
596 |
Movie-Buffet |
SCL |
5996; ex-ACL Port Tampa; ex-C&O Swan Tavern |
Diner |
PS |
1950 |
|
597 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
SCL |
5997; ex-ACL 125; ex-C&O Swan Kitchen |
Kitchen-dorm |
PS |
1950 |
|
598 |
Movie-Buffet |
SCL |
5998; ex-ACL Winter Park; ex-C&O Postlethwait’s Tavern |
Diner |
PS |
1950 |
|
599 |
Kitchen-Dorm |
SCL |
5999; ex-ACL 126; ex-C&O Postlethwait’s Kitchen |
Kitchen-dorm |
PS |
1950 |
|
602 |
Sleeper |
SCL; SAL |
Bay Pines |
4-4-5-1 |
Budd |
1955 |
|
604 |
Sleeper |
SCL; SAL |
Cedartown |
4-4-5-1 |
Budd |
1955 |
|
606 |
Sleeper |
SCL; SAL |
Pinehurst |
4-4-5-1 |
Budd |
1955 |
|
700 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7000 |
Dome-coach |
ACF |
1955 |
|
701 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7001 |
Dome-coach |
ACF |
1955 |
|
702 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7002 |
Dome-coach |
ACF |
1955 |
|
703 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7003 |
Dome-coach |
ACF |
1955 |
|
704 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7005 |
Dome-coach |
ACF |
1955 |
|
705 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7007 |
Dome-coach |
ACF |
1955 |
|
706 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7009 |
Dome-coach |
ACF |
1955 |
|
707 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7011 |
Dome-coach |
PS |
1958 |
|
708 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7012 |
Dome-coach |
PS |
1958 |
|
709 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
7015 |
Dome-coach |
PS |
1958 |
|
800 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
8000 |
Dome-diner |
ACF |
1955 |
|
801 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
8001 |
Dome-diner |
ACF |
1955 |
|
802 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
8002 |
Dome-diner |
ACF |
1955 |
|
803 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
8004 |
Dome-diner |
ACF |
1955 |
|
804 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
8005 |
Dome-diner |
ACF |
1955 |
|
805 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
8006 |
Dome-diner |
ACF |
1955 |
|
806 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
8007 |
Dome-diner |
ACF |
1955 |
|
807 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
8008 |
Dome-diner |
ACF |
1955 |
|
808 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
8009 |
Dome-diner |
ACF |
1955 |
|
900 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9000 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
901 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9001 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
902 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9002 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
903 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9003 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
904 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9005 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
905 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9006 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
907 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9008 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
908 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9009 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
909 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9010 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
911 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9012 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
912 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9013 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
913 |
Maxi-Dome Night Club |
UP |
9014 |
Dome-buffet-lounge-observation |
ACF |
1955 |
|
|
 |
 |
Consists
| Train #3, southbound, April 4, 1974 | |
|
U36B diesel locomotive (2) |
4006, 4007 |
|
75' auto carriers (21) |
|
|
85' full dome coach-dorm |
511 |
|
85' full dome coach |
522 |
|
85' full dome coach-dorm |
512 |
|
buffet-movie |
596 |
|
kitchen-dormintory |
595 |
|
buffet-movie |
598 |
|
full dome nightclub |
541 |
|
85' full dome coach |
520 |
|
maxi dome (short) coach |
706 |
|
maxi dome (short) coach |
700 |
|
mini dome (short) coach |
470 |
|
mini dome (short) coach |
462 |
|
smooth side 5-2-2 sleeper |
304 |
|
smooth side 4-4-2 sleeper |
201 |
|
smooth side 4-4-2 sleeper |
202 |
|
corrug 4-4-2 sleeper |
206 |
|
steam generator car |
137 |
|
steam generator car |
132 |
|
caboose (extended vision) |
|
Available Models
|
Road # |
Role |
Prototype |
Model |
|
4000-4016 |
Locomotive |
GE U36B |
Atlas #4000, 4002, 4005, 4006, 4009, 4010, 4012. |
|
135 |
Heater Car |
Budd in 1948 as Western Pacific baggage-express 801 SILVER BEAVER |
Broadway Limited #1492 Zephyr WP Baggage Car #802 SILVER STAG. |
|
201-206 |
Sleeper |
ACF in 1950 as ATSF REGAL ARMS / CORPS / COURT / ELM / GATE / GULF, a 4-4-2 sleeper. |
Walthers #9015 85' P-S REGAL Series 4-4-2 Sleeper -- Santa Fe. |
|
301-305 |
Sleeper |
ACF in 1954 as UP 1301 OCEAN SANDS / VIEW / MIST / SCENE / SUNSET, a 5-2-2 sleeper |
Walthers #9510 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- 5-5-2 Ocean Series Sleeper P-S Plan #4200. |
|
460-464, 470-471 |
Dome Coach |
Budd in 1948 as WP 811 SILVER DOLLAR / FEATHER / PALACE / SAGE / THISTLE / SCHOONER / SCOUT. |
Broadway Limited #538 SILVER SCOUT, #1496 SILVER THISTLE. |
|
510-515 |
Full Dome Coach Dorm |
Budd in 1954 as ATSF 554 / 555 / 550 / 551 / 552 / 553. |
Walthers #9324 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge Dorm - Standard - San Francisco Chief -- Santa Fe #550-555. |
|
520-524 |
Full Dome Lounge |
Budd in 1954 as ATSF 508 / 509 / 510 / 511 / 513. |
Walthers #9462 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge - Standard - 1954 El Capitan -- Santa Fe #506-513. |
|
540-541 |
Full Dome Night Club |
Budd in 1954 as ATSF 507 / 512. |
Walthers #9462 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge - Standard - 1954 El Capitan -- Santa Fe #506-513. |
|
542-543 |
Dome Night Club |
ACF in 1955 as UP 9007 / 9011. |
Walthers #9600 Union Pacific(R) City Streamliner Car -- Observation-Dome-Lounge #9000-9014 ACF Lot #4096. |
|
580, 582 |
Buffet Dining |
Budd in October 1948 as Western Pacific 871 SILVER PALM / 872 POPLAR, a 16 section sleeper later converted to a coach. |
Broadway Limited #152 #872 SILVER POPLAR. |
|
590-598 even |
Movie Buffet |
Budd in 1948 as C&O 1971 / 1970 / 1972 / 1977 / 1978. |
|
|
591-599 odd |
Kitchen Dorm |
Budd in 1948 as C&O 1941 / 1940 / 1942 / 1954 / 1955. |
|
|
700-709 |
Dome Coach |
ACF in 1955 as UP 7000 / 7001 / 7002 / 7003 / 7005 / 7009 / 7011 / 7012 / 7015. |
Walthers #9580 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- Dome-Coach #7000-7009 ACF Lot #4097. |
|
800 |
Dome Coach |
ACF in 1955 as UP 8000. |
Walthers #9590 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- Dome-Diner #8000-8009 ACF Lot #4098. |
|
801-808 |
Dome Diner |
ACF in 1955 as UP 8001 / 8002 / 8005 / 8006 / 8007 / 8008 /8009. |
Walthers #9590 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- Dome-Diner #8000-8009 ACF Lot #4098. |
|
900-913 |
Dome Coach |
ACF in 1955 as UP 9000 / 9001 / 9002 / 9003 / 9005 / 9006 / 9007 / 9008 / 9009 / 9010 / 9011 / 9012 / 9013 / 9014. |
Walthers #9600 Union Pacific City Streamliner Car -- Observation-Dome-Lounge #9000-9014 ACF Lot #4096. |
|
1-71 |
Auto Carrier |
Bi-level auto rack car. Ex CN 7300xx. |
Bachmann #none. |