diff --git a/src/engine.cpp b/src/engine.cpp
index 71d56d5cb9..3bc0657c29 100644
--- a/src/engine.cpp
+++ b/src/engine.cpp
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 #include "aircraft.h"
 #include "newgrf_cargo.h"
 #include "group.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "strings_func.h"
 #include "gfx_func.h"
 #include "functions.h"
@@ -516,19 +515,15 @@ CommandCost AddEngineReplacement(EngineRenewList *erl, EngineID old_engine, Engi
 		return CommandCost();
 	}
 
-	er = new EngineRenew(old_engine, new_engine);
-	if (er == NULL) return CMD_ERROR;
-	AutoPtrT<EngineRenew> er_auto_delete = er;
-
+	if (!EngineRenew::CanAllocateItem()) return CMD_ERROR;
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
+		er = new EngineRenew(old_engine, new_engine);
 		er->group_id = group;
 
 		/* Insert before the first element */
 		er->next = (EngineRenew *)(*erl);
 		*erl = (EngineRenewList)er;
-
-		er_auto_delete.Detach();
 	}
 
 	return CommandCost();
diff --git a/src/group_cmd.cpp b/src/group_cmd.cpp
index 17d82129c0..685a9e53bf 100644
--- a/src/group_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/group_cmd.cpp
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@
 #include "train.h"
 #include "aircraft.h"
 #include "vehicle_gui.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "strings_func.h"
 #include "functions.h"
 #include "window_func.h"
@@ -94,20 +93,14 @@ CommandCost CmdCreateGroup(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint32 p2)
 	VehicleType vt = (VehicleType)p1;
 	if (!IsPlayerBuildableVehicleType(vt)) return CMD_ERROR;
 
-	AutoPtrT<Group> g_auto_delete;
-
-	Group *g = new Group(_current_player);
-	if (g == NULL) return CMD_ERROR;
-
-	g_auto_delete = g;
+	if (!Group::CanAllocateItem()) return CMD_ERROR;
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
+		Group *g = new Group(_current_player);
 		g->replace_protection = false;
 		g->vehicle_type = vt;
 
 		InvalidateWindowData(GetWCForVT(vt), (vt << 11) | VLW_GROUP_LIST | _current_player);
-
-		g_auto_delete.Detach();
 	}
 
 	return CommandCost();
diff --git a/src/industry_cmd.cpp b/src/industry_cmd.cpp
index 75b7c3ca02..8a33c20d1b 100644
--- a/src/industry_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/industry_cmd.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #include "newgrf_industries.h"
 #include "newgrf_industrytiles.h"
 #include "newgrf_callbacks.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "autoslope.h"
 #include "transparency.h"
 #include "water.h"
@@ -1592,17 +1591,19 @@ static Industry *CreateNewIndustryHelper(TileIndex tile, IndustryType type, uint
 	if (!CheckIfIndustryIsAllowed(tile, type, t)) return NULL;
 	if (!CheckSuitableIndustryPos(tile)) return NULL;
 
-	Industry *i = new Industry(tile);
-	if (i == NULL) return NULL;
-	AutoPtrT<Industry> i_auto_delete = i;
+	if (!Industry::CanAllocateItem()) return NULL;
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
+		Industry *i = new Industry(tile);
 		if (!custom_shape_check) CheckIfCanLevelIndustryPlatform(tile, DC_EXEC, it, type);
 		DoCreateNewIndustry(i, tile, type, it, itspec_index, t, OWNER_NONE);
-		i_auto_delete.Detach();
+
+		return i;
 	}
 
-	return i;
+	/* We need to return a non-NULL pointer to tell we have created an industry.
+	 * However, we haven't created a real one (no DC_EXEC), so return a fake one. */
+	return GetIndustry(0);
 }
 
 /** Build/Fund an industry
diff --git a/src/oldpool.h b/src/oldpool.h
index 46d31e9995..e8081fa823 100644
--- a/src/oldpool.h
+++ b/src/oldpool.h
@@ -292,6 +292,18 @@ protected:
 	{
 		return Tpool->CleaningPool();
 	}
+
+public:
+	/**
+	 * Check whether we can allocate an item in this pool. This to prevent the
+	 * need to actually construct the object and then destructing it again,
+	 * which could be *very* costly.
+	 * @return true if and only if at least ONE item can be allocated.
+	 */
+	static inline bool CanAllocateItem()
+	{
+		return AllocateRaw() != NULL;
+	}
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/rail_cmd.cpp b/src/rail_cmd.cpp
index 9caf2132f1..c08014d12a 100644
--- a/src/rail_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/rail_cmd.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@
 #include "newgrf_callbacks.h"
 #include "newgrf_station.h"
 #include "train.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "variables.h"
 #include "autoslope.h"
 #include "transparency.h"
@@ -766,12 +765,10 @@ CommandCost CmdBuildTrainDepot(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint32 p
 
 	if (MayHaveBridgeAbove(tile) && IsBridgeAbove(tile)) return_cmd_error(STR_5007_MUST_DEMOLISH_BRIDGE_FIRST);
 
-	Depot *d = new Depot(tile);
-
-	if (d == NULL) return CMD_ERROR;
-	AutoPtrT<Depot> d_auto_delete = d;
+	if (!Depot::CanAllocateItem()) return CMD_ERROR;
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
+		Depot *d = new Depot(tile);
 		MakeRailDepot(tile, _current_player, dir, (RailType)p1);
 		MarkTileDirtyByTile(tile);
 
@@ -779,7 +776,6 @@ CommandCost CmdBuildTrainDepot(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint32 p
 
 		AddSideToSignalBuffer(tile, INVALID_DIAGDIR, _current_player);
 		YapfNotifyTrackLayoutChange(tile, TrackdirToTrack(DiagdirToDiagTrackdir(dir)));
-		d_auto_delete.Detach();
 	}
 
 	return cost.AddCost(_price.build_train_depot);
diff --git a/src/road_cmd.cpp b/src/road_cmd.cpp
index a2a32d0230..c95506a725 100644
--- a/src/road_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/road_cmd.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 #include "newgrf.h"
 #include "station_map.h"
 #include "tunnel_map.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "variables.h"
 #include "autoslope.h"
 #include "transparency.h"
@@ -817,16 +816,14 @@ CommandCost CmdBuildRoadDepot(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint32 p2
 
 	if (MayHaveBridgeAbove(tile) && IsBridgeAbove(tile)) return_cmd_error(STR_5007_MUST_DEMOLISH_BRIDGE_FIRST);
 
-	Depot *dep = new Depot(tile);
-	if (dep == NULL) return CMD_ERROR;
-	AutoPtrT<Depot> d_auto_delete = dep;
+	if (!Depot::CanAllocateItem()) return CMD_ERROR;
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
+		Depot *dep = new Depot(tile);
 		dep->town_index = ClosestTownFromTile(tile, (uint)-1)->index;
 
 		MakeRoadDepot(tile, _current_player, dir, rt);
 		MarkTileDirtyByTile(tile);
-		d_auto_delete.Detach();
 	}
 	return cost.AddCost(_price.build_road_depot);
 }
diff --git a/src/ship_cmd.cpp b/src/ship_cmd.cpp
index de49269990..a6a4251504 100644
--- a/src/ship_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/ship_cmd.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include "newgrf_text.h"
 #include "newgrf_sound.h"
 #include "spritecache.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "strings_func.h"
 #include "functions.h"
 #include "window_func.h"
diff --git a/src/signs.cpp b/src/signs.cpp
index a1dce33049..93ab460f00 100644
--- a/src/signs.cpp
+++ b/src/signs.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
 #include "saveload.h"
 #include "command_func.h"
 #include "variables.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "strings_func.h"
 #include "viewport_func.h"
 #include "zoom_func.h"
@@ -99,12 +98,11 @@ static void MarkSignDirty(Sign *si)
 CommandCost CmdPlaceSign(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint32 p2)
 {
 	/* Try to locate a new sign */
-	Sign *si = new Sign(_current_player);
-	if (si == NULL) return_cmd_error(STR_2808_TOO_MANY_SIGNS);
-	AutoPtrT<Sign> s_auto_delete = si;
+	if (!Sign::CanAllocateItem()) return_cmd_error(STR_2808_TOO_MANY_SIGNS);
 
 	/* When we execute, really make the sign */
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
+		Sign *si = new Sign(_current_player);
 		int x = TileX(tile) * TILE_SIZE;
 		int y = TileY(tile) * TILE_SIZE;
 
@@ -117,7 +115,6 @@ CommandCost CmdPlaceSign(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint32 p2)
 		_sign_sort_dirty = true;
 		_new_sign_id = si->index;
 		_total_signs++;
-		s_auto_delete.Detach();
 	}
 
 	return CommandCost();
diff --git a/src/town_cmd.cpp b/src/town_cmd.cpp
index 8bbe053775..1f6c2bd61c 100644
--- a/src/town_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/town_cmd.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@
 #include "newgrf_house.h"
 #include "newgrf_commons.h"
 #include "newgrf_townname.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "autoslope.h"
 #include "waypoint.h"
 #include "transparency.h"
@@ -1538,16 +1537,14 @@ CommandCost CmdBuildTown(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint32 p2)
 		return_cmd_error(STR_023A_TOO_MANY_TOWNS);
 
 	/* Allocate town struct */
-	Town *t = new Town(tile);
-	if (t == NULL) return_cmd_error(STR_023A_TOO_MANY_TOWNS);
-	AutoPtrT<Town> t_auto_delete = t;
+	if (!Town::CanAllocateItem()) return_cmd_error(STR_023A_TOO_MANY_TOWNS);
 
 	/* Create the town */
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
+		Town *t = new Town(tile);
 		_generating_world = true;
 		DoCreateTown(t, tile, townnameparts, (TownSizeMode)p2, p1);
 		_generating_world = false;
-		t_auto_delete.Detach();
 	}
 	return CommandCost();
 }
diff --git a/src/water_cmd.cpp b/src/water_cmd.cpp
index 8e16b58568..6412a82b25 100644
--- a/src/water_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/water_cmd.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 #include "industry_map.h"
 #include "newgrf.h"
 #include "newgrf_canal.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "transparency.h"
 #include "strings_func.h"
 #include "functions.h"
@@ -201,18 +200,16 @@ CommandCost CmdBuildShipDepot(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint32 p2
 	ret = DoCommand(tile2, 0, 0, flags, CMD_LANDSCAPE_CLEAR);
 	if (CmdFailed(ret)) return CMD_ERROR;
 
-	Depot *depot = new Depot(tile);
-	if (depot == NULL) return CMD_ERROR;
-	AutoPtrT<Depot> d_auto_delete = depot;
+	if (!Depot::CanAllocateItem()) return CMD_ERROR;
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
+		Depot *depot = new Depot(tile);
 		depot->town_index = ClosestTownFromTile(tile, (uint)-1)->index;
 
 		MakeShipDepot(tile,  _current_player, DEPOT_NORTH, axis, wc1);
 		MakeShipDepot(tile2, _current_player, DEPOT_SOUTH, axis, wc2);
 		MarkTileDirtyByTile(tile);
 		MarkTileDirtyByTile(tile2);
-		d_auto_delete.Detach();
 	}
 
 	return CommandCost(EXPENSES_CONSTRUCTION, _price.build_ship_depot);
diff --git a/src/waypoint.cpp b/src/waypoint.cpp
index 781c67339d..2a0e98eb68 100644
--- a/src/waypoint.cpp
+++ b/src/waypoint.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "variables.h"
 #include "yapf/yapf.h"
 #include "newgrf.h"
-#include "misc/autoptr.hpp"
 #include "strings_func.h"
 #include "gfx_func.h"
 #include "functions.h"
@@ -191,7 +190,6 @@ void AfterLoadWaypoints()
 CommandCost CmdBuildTrainWaypoint(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint32 p2)
 {
 	Waypoint *wp;
-	AutoPtrT<Waypoint> wp_auto_delete;
 	Slope tileh;
 	Axis axis;
 
@@ -219,35 +217,35 @@ CommandCost CmdBuildTrainWaypoint(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint3
 
 	/* Check if there is an already existing, deleted, waypoint close to us that we can reuse. */
 	wp = FindDeletedWaypointCloseTo(tile);
-	if (wp == NULL) {
-		wp = new Waypoint(tile);
-		if (wp == NULL) return CMD_ERROR;
-
-		wp_auto_delete = wp;
-
-		wp->town_index = INVALID_TOWN;
-		wp->name = NULL;
-		wp->town_cn = 0;
-	} else if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
-		/* Move existing (recently deleted) waypoint to the new location */
-
-		/* First we update the destination for all vehicles that
-		 * have the old waypoint in their orders. */
-		Vehicle *v;
-		FOR_ALL_VEHICLES(v) {
-			if (v->type == VEH_TRAIN &&
-					v->First() == v &&
-					v->current_order.IsType(OT_GOTO_WAYPOINT) &&
-					v->dest_tile == wp->xy) {
-				v->dest_tile = tile;
-			}
-		}
-
-		RedrawWaypointSign(wp);
-		wp->xy = tile;
-	}
+	if (wp == NULL && !Waypoint::CanAllocateItem()) return CMD_ERROR;
 
 	if (flags & DC_EXEC) {
+		if (wp == NULL) {
+			wp = new Waypoint(tile);
+			if (wp == NULL) return CMD_ERROR;
+
+			wp->town_index = INVALID_TOWN;
+			wp->name = NULL;
+			wp->town_cn = 0;
+		} else {
+			/* Move existing (recently deleted) waypoint to the new location */
+
+			/* First we update the destination for all vehicles that
+			* have the old waypoint in their orders. */
+			Vehicle *v;
+			FOR_ALL_VEHICLES(v) {
+				if (v->type == VEH_TRAIN &&
+						v->First() == v &&
+						v->current_order.IsType(OT_GOTO_WAYPOINT) &&
+						v->dest_tile == wp->xy) {
+					v->dest_tile = tile;
+				}
+			}
+
+			RedrawWaypointSign(wp);
+			wp->xy = tile;
+		}
+
 		const StationSpec* statspec;
 
 		MakeRailWaypoint(tile, GetTileOwner(tile), axis, GetRailType(tile), wp->index);
@@ -274,7 +272,6 @@ CommandCost CmdBuildTrainWaypoint(TileIndex tile, uint32 flags, uint32 p1, uint3
 		UpdateWaypointSign(wp);
 		RedrawWaypointSign(wp);
 		YapfNotifyTrackLayoutChange(tile, AxisToTrack(axis));
-		wp_auto_delete.Detach();
 	}
 
 	return CommandCost(EXPENSES_CONSTRUCTION, _price.build_train_depot);