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Home > Archives > Auto Train 10 Year Anniversary button.

Auto Train 10 Year Anniversary button.

Promotional button made to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Amtrak Auto Train in 1993. Metal button with pin; measures approximately 3" across.

<i>Auto Train</i> 10 Year Anniversary button.

The non-stop Auto Train connects the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and Orlando. While many people associate the Auto Train idea with Amtrak, it was actually initiated by a private company led by Eugene K. Garfield, who had once worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S.DOT).

Garfield founded the Auto-Train Corporation in 1969 and service began on December 6, 1971 with daily trips in both directions. The Auto-Train proved quite popular, so much so that on May 24, 1974, weekend service between Louisville, Ky., and Sanford, Fla., was established. Unfortunately, two major derailments coupled with a lack of success on the Louisville–Sanford run marked the beginning of the end for the corporation. By 1981, the company ceased operations.

In 1983, Amtrak conducted a feasibility study to investigate a restoration of the Auto-Train. According to that year’s Amtrak Annual Report, “Amtrak received over 400 requests for reservations on the train before a decision had even been made to begin the service.” In April, the Amtrak Board of Directors authorized planning for the new service, which began that October.

Read our blog post about the Auto Train.

From the Ann Owens Collection.