I saw this post on trainorders.com where a poster states that the original auto-carriers have been sold to a scrap dealer in Texas:http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,934896,nodelay=1This seems plausible, given Amtrak's recent efforts at scrapping or selling anything that might be considered surplus. If true, however, it also marks a major loss for preserving the history of American passenger trains. The Auto Train concept and the corporation were widely viewed as an alternative free-market solution to the passenger train question in the early-mid 1970's, and the service continues to be one of the more innovative passenger train operations in the US. Likewise, many of these cars were built for Canadian National in the 1950's - and could also be preserved there as well. Tom Cornillie

Tom,Because of their mileage, I wouldn't doubt that they have been rebuilt to death. Rich C,

I would imagine that they have been rebuilt many times - both because of their mileage and their age. Do you think that makes them in-eligable for preservation? I contend that they are important as-is as they illustrate how Amtrak has made this service work with aged equipment - and how the equipment itself was durable to last all these years in service.On a more practical note - it would be possible to preserve these cars and restore them externally and even install a small interpretive exhibit inside while using much of the interior space for storage.Tom Cornillie

Hello all,FYI - Here is a very well researched history of these cars as they operated on the CN from the Steam era freight car discussion group.Tom Cornilliehttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/STMFC/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/STMFC/message/42048From: Ian Cranstone Date: Tue Jun 7, 2005 1:07 pmSubject: Re: [STMFC] Original Auto Train Auto Carriers > Tom Cornillie wrote:>>>> Likewise, many of>> these cars were built for Canadian National in 1957 (where they were>> used in freight service) . . .Actually there were three groups of these cars: 25 74'5" cars wereconstructed by Canadian Car & Foundry in 10-11/1956 under lot 2141 at570400-570424. 50 more were built in 4/1959 under lot 2257(570425-570474) for a total of 75 cars. There were also 75 shorter56'5" cars built in 5/1959 under lot 2258 as 570700-570774.The cars were renumbered as part of the 1966 renumbering: 74' carsbecame 730000-730073, 56' cars to 720000-720069 (obviously someattrition had taken place by then). Some subsequent renumbering sawsome 720000-series cars renumbered to 720100-720139, and there was aplanned renumbering of some 730000-series cars to 731000-731017 whichwas cancelled. Nearly all of the 74' cars were sold to Auto Train in1973 (5 were left, with 730034 being a long-term survivor). One of the56' cars was rebuilt into a double deck stock carOne of the 56' cars (570767) was rebuilt into double deck stock car179000 in 1965, and quickly renumbered 820000. Drawings and photos ofthis car were featured in RMC some years ago.Unless you're a CN or Auto Train modeller, these cars probably aren'tof much use to you -- CN's cars were noted as "not for interchange",and I suspect that they didn't work well with the later autoracks. 15cars found use in Newfoundland as auto transporters after beingretrucked for the narrow-gauge operations there. Some also foundemployment on CN's "Auto-With-You" and "Car-Go-Rail" services,variations of Auto Train type services, one with the cars attached tothe passenger train, the other moving the cars in regular freightservice.Over the years Bachmann and Walthers have offered models of the 74'cars, and Sylvan offers models of the 56' cars in resin.Ian CranstoneOsgoode, Ontario, Canadalamontc@...http://freightcars.nakina.net(570400-570474)74'5" Steel Auto Transport Boxcar - upper deck 5'9", lower deck 5'10",not for interchange service - 0 (to 7/56), ... (10/56), 25 (1/57-4/59),75 (7/59-10/63), 74 (1/64-7/66), 36 (10/66), 4 (1/67), 0 (4/67 on).Series listed as 570400-570424 (10/56-7/58).Listed as 570400-570424 (25 cars) & 570425-570474 (... cars)(1/59-4/59).Series listed as 570410-570472 (10/66).Series listed as 570413-570460 (1/67).570400-570424 built by Canadian Car & Foundry lot 2141 10-11/56,570425-570474 built by Canadian Car & Foundry lot 2257 4/59.570400-570424 renumbered 730000-730024, 570425-570474 renumbered730025-730073.(570700-570774)56'5" Steel Auto Transport Boxcar - upper deck 5'9", lower deck 5'10",not for interchange service - 0 (to 10/58), ... (1/59-4/59), 75(7/59-10/63), 72 (1/64-1/65), 71 (4/65-7/66), 40 (10/66), 6 (1/67), 0(4/67 on).Series listed as 570700-570773 (10/66).Series listed as 570720-570773 (1/67).Built by Canadian Car & Foundry lot 2258 5/59. Renumbered720000-720069, 570767 rebuilt into stock car 179000 4/65.[url][/url]