Atlas - 40 005 949 - Locomotive, Diesel, GE U33/36B - Auto Train - 4006

Model Information: The horsepower race was in full swing by the late 1960s when GE introduced the 3,300hp, four-axle U33B locomotive. 137 units were produced between September 1967 and August 1970 when production ended. GE upped the horsepower ante in 1970 with the introduction of the 3,600hp U36B which was produced between May 1970 and December 1974. Both models were externally identical, and internally they were both powered by the same GE FDL-16 cylinder four-stroke engine. The horsepower increase was achieved through adjustments to the fuel rack settings and other internal component changes. One key spotting feature of both models was the built-out radiator "wings" on the long hood.

Atlas’ U33B and U36B model is being offered in both an early and late phase. The early phase model includes flushmounted radiator screens and air intake screens on the long hood. In addition, there is a built-out area on the top of the front and rear pilots. Late phase models include corrugated radiator and air intake screens, with a flat pilot face. An optional separate electrical equipment box is included on the left side walkway behind the cab per the prototype. AAR-B or Blomberg trucks are used when appropriate.

Road Name History: Auto-Train was incorporated in 1969 and began operations in late 1971. Initially, they hauled passengers and their automobiles from Lorton in Northern Virginia to Sanford, Florida which is not far from Orlando. RF&P and Seaboard Coast Line were the host railroads. The passenger car fleet was purchased secondhand from various roads and the autoracks were an early design from Canadian National. GE U36B's were used for road power (built to Seaboard Coast Line specifications.) Lorton was the northern terminus because the autoracks would not fit the clearances in Washington D.C. and points north. Auto-Train featured daily departures from both ends. The trains were popular and usually exceeded 30 cars evenly split between autoracks and passenger cars. In 1974, Auto-Train expanded with trains running between Louisville and Sanford. This second route was a failure and this combined with a couple of expensive wrecks sent Auto-Train into a downward spiral. In 1980, they declared bankruptcy and the following April, the last Auto-Train ran. Amtrak resurrected the idea in 1983 with a tri-weekly service on the Lorton - Sanford route.

Brand/Importer Information: In 1924 Stephan Schaffan, Sr. founded the Atlas Tool Company in Newark, New Jersey. In 1933 his son, Stephan Schaffan, Jr., came to work for his father at the age of sixteen. Steve Jr. built model airplanes as a hobby and frequented a local hobby shop. Being an enterprising young man, he would often ask the owner if there was anything he could do to earn some extra spending money. Tired of listening to his requests, the hobby-store owner threw some model railroad track parts his way and said, "Here, see if you can improve on this".

In those days, railroad modelers had to assemble and build everything from scratch. Steve Jr. created a "switch kit" which sold so well, that the entire family worked on them in the basement at night, while doing business as usual in the machine shop during the day.

Subsequently, Steve Jr. engineered the stapling of rail to fiber track, along with inventing the first practical rail joiner and pre-assembled turnouts and flexible track. All of these products, and more, helped to popularize model railroading and assisted in the creation of a mass-market hobby. The budding entrepreneur quickly outgrew the limitations of a basement and small garage operation. Realizing they could actually make a living selling track and related products, Steve and his father had the first factory built in Hillside, New Jersey at 413 Florence Avenue in 1947. On September 30, 1949, the Atlas Tool Company was officially incorporated as a New Jersey company.

In 1985, Steve was honored posthumously for his inventions by the Model Railroad Industry Association and was inducted into the Model Railroad Industry Hall of Fame in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, Steve was nominated and entered into the National Model Railroad Association Pioneers of Model Railroading in 1995.

In the early 1990s, the Atlas Tool Company changed its name to Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc.