MIAMI'S PASSENGER TRAINS

OF THE PAST

Intercity passenger trains serving Miami in 1942, 1956, and 1971 immediately prior to the creation of Amtrak.

THE STATIONS

The major stations serving Miami, during the golden age of passenger trains.

Seaboard Station
2206 NW 7th Ave.
Opened 1927

Florida East Coast Station
200 NW 1st Ave.

SEABOARD AIR LINE RAILWAY

(Seaboard Station)

Departures



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 44  Silver Meteor         New York        9:35   58   9:00        9:00
  6  Miami Streamliner     Chicago                                 9:45
808  Sun Queen             Wildwood       10:00
 22  Silver Star           New York                   12:05       11:25
192  Palmland              New York        9:00   10   7:45
Arrivals



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

191  Palmland              New York        7:45    9   8:30
 21  Silver Star           New York                   10:45       11:55
 43  Silver Meteor         New York        3:05   57   4:25        4:05
807  Sun Queen             Wildwood        5:45
  5  Miami Streamliner     Chicago                                 7:30
Passenger service retained by Amtrak in 1971.

"Miami Streamliner" refers to the City of Miami, the South Wind, and the Dixie Flagler, each operating every third day over different routes north of Florida. But operating on an identical route within Florida, providing overall daily service on the same schedule within Florida. In 1963 due to a lengthy strike on the Florida East Coast Railroad, service rerouted via Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard between Jacksonville and Miami.

Until early 1930's, Seaboard passenger trains also operated between Miami and Homestead.

FLORIDA EAST COAST

(Florida East Coast Station)

Departures



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 30  Daylight Express      Jacksonville    8:00        6:00
  2  East Coast Champion   New York        9:00        9:30
  6  Tiresaver             Jacksonville    2:15
  4  Miami Streamliner     Chicago         4:30    6  12:40
 76  Havana Special        New York       10:00       10:00
Arrivals



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 75  Havana Special        New York        7:00        7:00
  3  Miami Streamliner     Chicago         2:55    5   5:15
  1  East Coast Champion   New York        4:55        3:40
 29  Daylight Express      Jacksonville    6:45       10:30
  5  Tiresaver             Jacksonville    9:30
Passenger service suspended in 1963 due to a lengthy strike, through service to and from points north of Jacksonville permanently rerouted via Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard between Jacksonville and Miami. Passenger service resumed in 1965 and was permanently discontinued in 1968. With the continuing strike, passengers were notified of the possibility of acts of sabotage or vandalism along the railroad.

"Miami Streamliner" refers to the City of Miami, the South Wind, and the Dixie Flagler, each operating every third day over different routes north of Florida. But operating on an identical route within Florida, providing overall daily service on the same schedule within Florida.

Until early 1940's, Florida East Coast passenger trains continued further south of Miami to Homestead. This was part of the route continuing to Key West, but destroyed by a hurricane in 1935.

STATIONS TODAY

The Seaboard station was used by Amtrak until 1977. The station was demolished, except a portico remains standing.

The Florida East Coast station has been demolished.

Florida Rails Online Museum
Link to a Web site containing further historical information on the trains serving Florida.

MAPPING THE STATIONS AND RAILROADS

Links to locations of past and present stations and railroads, using Google Maps. Satellite views are also available.

Miami was the south terminal for the Seaboard Air Line and Florida East Coast routes extending north to Jacksonville. The SAL line continued north to Richmond VA.