| Auto-Train U36B 4009 at Sanford, Florida on an unknown day in February 1980, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Built December 1971 (c/n 38748) to Seaboard Coast Line specifications, it spent ten years in Auto-Train sevice before the company went bankrupt in 1981. By 1986, most of the AUT U36B's had been scrapped. Apparently four additional U36B's were ordered by Auto-Train by went to Conrail, AUT #4013-4016 becoming CR #2971-2974. Conrail accepted them on the condition that the EMD Blomberg trucks be replaced with AAR Type-B trucks. Auto-Train Corporation began service on December 6, 1971 between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida. The service was a big hit with travelers. Auto-Train expanded and established a short-lived service between Louisville, Kentucky and Sanford, Florida. Lack of success from the Louisville expansion, high crew costs and several spectacular accidents put the company into bankruptcy and ended its services in late April, 1981. |