Auto-Train Corporation southbound consist crossing from Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac to Seaboard Coast Line tracks over James River at Richmond, VA in 1970s. Photo courtesy Richmond Rails Yahoo rail enthusiast group Auto-Train Corporation (AAR 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. Auto-Train Corporation trains initially operated on Seaboard Coast Line and Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac tracks.
A concept of Auto-Train Corporation founder Eugene K. Garfield, the novel approach allowed families to relax en route and save the expense and unfamiliarity of a rental car on arrival. The Auto-Train consists included passenger cars, autoracks, and a caboose.
Auto-Train Corporation's new service began operations on December 6, 1971. The service was a big hit with travelers. Before long, the ambitious entrepreneurs of Auto-Train were looking to expand into other markets. However, only the Lorton-Sanford service proved successful.
High crew costs, several spectacular accidents, and an unprofitable expansion put Garfield's company into bankruptcy. Auto-Train Corporation was forced to end its services in late April, 1981. GEU36B diesel locomotive, one of 13 purchased by Auto-Train Corporation, near Louisville, KY. Four others built for A-T were delivered to Conrail instead due to A-T financial difficulties. 1977 photo by G.R. Harper Operating for almost 10 years, Auto-Train had developed a popular following, particularly among older travelers as it ferried passengers and their cars between Virginia and Florida. No one else offered a service quite like that of Auto-Train Corporation until after a gap of almost two years, service was revived by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, a federally-chartered corporation which operates most intercity passenger trains in the United States as the slightly-renamed Auto Train.
Today, Amtrak's Auto Train carries about 200,000 passengers and generates around $50 million in revenue annually. It is considered Amtrak's best-paying train in terms of income in comparison with operating expenses.
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