Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of presentation: The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q as mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of the General Partner, necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no significant effect on the reported financial position or results from operations. Footnote and tabular amounts are presented in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data. 2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued): In preparing the accompanying unaudited financial statements, the General Partner has reviewed events that have occurred after September 30, 2013, up until the issuance of the financial statements. No events were noted which would require disclosure in the footnotes to the financial statements, and adjustments thereto.
Use of Estimates	Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term and expected future cash flows used for impairment analysis purposes and determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Segment Reporting	Segment reporting: The Partnership is not organized by multiple operating segments for the purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Accordingly, the Partnership operates in one reportable operating segment in the United States. Certain of the Partnership’s lessee customers may have international operations. In these instances, the Partnership is aware that certain equipment, primarily rail and transportation, may periodically exit the country. However, these lessee customers are US-based, and it is impractical for the Partnership to track, on an asset-by-asset, day-by-day basis, where these assets are deployed. The primary geographic regions in which the Partnership sought leasing opportunities were North America and Europe. All of the Partnership’s current operating revenues and long-lived assets relate to customers domiciled in North America.
Per Unit Data	Per Unit data: Net income and distributions per Unit are based upon the weighted average number of Limited Partners’ Units outstanding during the period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent accounting pronouncements: Recent accounting standards updates as issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) were evaluated and determined to be not applicable to the Partnership.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

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ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI LP 10-Q