BLS53
While Amtrak has trains radiating to all points on the compass out of Chicago, I'm curious why there isn't a Florida train. Seems a route through Nashville and Atlanta would generate decent passenger loads.
Back in the day there were three Chicago- Miami runs, on different routes, on a every third day basis to generate a daily trains between end points - The City of Miami was the IC's baby; The South Wind was the PRR's entry and The Dixie Flagler was the C&EI's train. All three operated on the FEC between Jacksonville and Miami with each train having its own route between Chicago and Jacksonvile. The City of Miami ran via Birmingham and CofG Albany ACL beyond. The South Wind ran via Louisville and L&N Montgomery ACL beyond. The Dixie Flagler ran via Evansville and L&N Atlanta ACL beyond - it was discontinued in 1957.
With the comng of Amtrak in 1971 only the South Wind's route survived and even then it was only until November 1971.
In simple terms, there wasn't sufficient business to warrant continued operation.
In today's world, CSX controls most of the routes between Chicago & Jacksonville as well as being Amtrak's only route from Jacksonville all the other Florida destinations. CSX will fight any expansion of Amtrak service, especially on routes that are currently freight only.
