South Wind (train)

South Wind
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
StatusDiscontinued
LocaleMidwestern United States/Southeastern United States
First serviceDecember 1940
Last serviceNovember 14, 1971
SuccessorFloridian
Former operator(s)Pennsylvania Railroad, Louisville and Nashville Railroad, Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (later Seaboard Coast Line), Florida East Coast Railway
Amtrak
Route
TerminiChicago, Illinois
St. Petersburg, Florida
Miami, Florida
Distance travelled1,526 miles (2,456 km) (Chicago-Miami)
1,478 miles (2,379 km) (Chicago-St. Petersburg)
Average journey timeSouthbound: 29 hrs 10 min
Northbound: 29 hrs 30 min (1941)[1]
Service frequencyEvery third day
Train number(s)Southbound: 15
Northbound: 16
On-board services
Seating arrangementsReclining seat coaches
Sleeping arrangementsOriginal consist was all-coach; Pullmans added in later years
Catering facilitiesDining car
Observation facilitiesBuffet-Lounge-Observation car[1]
Baggage facilitiesBaggage car
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)

The South Wind was a named passenger train equipped and operated jointly by the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (later Seaboard Coast Line), and the Florida East Coast Railway. The South Wind began operations in December 1940, providing streamliner service between Chicago, Illinois and Miami, Florida. This was one of three new seven-car, all-coach streamliners operating in coordination every third day along different routes between Chicago and Miami. The other two longest enduring Chicago-Florida trains were the City of Miami and the Dixie Flagler.[2] The South Wind remained in service through the creation of Amtrak in 1971.

  1. ^ a b "The South Wind timetable June 1941". Streamliner Schedules. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  2. ^ Report on Streamline, Light-Weight, High-Speed Passenger Trains (PDF). New York: Coverdale & Colpitts. 1941. pp. 11–12. Retrieved September 30, 2020.