Disposition of Auto-Train

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Anyone know the disposition of the 3 (or 4?) GE U36B locomotives that the failed Auto-Train used?? I know the locomotives were built to specs reccomended by the SCL, however they were actually owned by Auto-Train corp... after they ceased oreration what happened to these locomotives. I always assumed that they went to SCL, but am unsure of their exact disposition. Anyone here have any idea?

-- troy nolen (kirkwood@gdn.net), January 11, 2001

Answers

While on a family trip in 1984, I spotted two A-T units in the ex-cgw yard in Oelwein,IA.As they were located some distance away,it was too difficult to obtain photos or engine numbers. They were most like- ly the aforementioned lease units

-- (paul_coe@yahoo.com), October 20, 2001.

You are correct on the number of U36B's.we discovered the error after printing.You are the first one to notice! I like the A-T idea and would like to do an article.Don't let me forget. Yes,RF&P Spotsylvania County was A-T 630.

-- J Oates (jlosal@trainorders.com), April 12, 2001.

A) All U36B operated by Auto train were scrapped by 1985 because of poor mechanical condition. They were owned by Continental Leasing. In 1981 there were 11 left. B) To correct the U36B article in Lines South, there were 125 U36Bs built, not 120. SCL took 108, AT bought 13, not 12, but ordered 17, the last 4 they could not afford. These remained at GE until bought by Conrail. The trucks were swapped, the units repainted, and they operated until scrapped a number of years ago. C) I would hope that LS could do an Auto train article, with rosters etc. I quite sure Mr. Calloway has lots of photos etc, and Mr. Ridell probably operated the train a few times. The remains of AT 630, which I think was RF&P Spotsylvania Co. is still up in the dead line at NYSW engine house at Utica, NY. I believe the remains of AT 570 are on NYSW at Binghamton, NY.

-- Craig A Harrison (MrMotorcoach@aol.com), April 12, 2001.

No they did not survive on Conrail long enough to make it back to CSX. All were retired on 4/11/91.

-- Warren Calloway (callowayw@aol.com), March 23, 2001.

Interesting follow-up question: Did they survive long enough to come back to CSX when it took over Conrail?

-- Doug Riddell (railroaddoug@erols.com), January 13, 2001.


They were purchased by Conrail...they were CR 2971-2974

-- Bill Donahue (BillD53A@aol.com), January 12, 2001.

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