In the rag-tag early days of Amtrak, an ex-B&O E8A and SCL E7A team to take the sb Floridian toward Dothan, Waycross and Florida points. They are about to pass below the u/c I85 bridge over the A... (more)

At start-up, Amtrak bought Es from railroads all over the USA, and also leased additional units, such as SCL 549.

The southbound Floridian was often hours late. Bad track north of Louisville caused most of the delays, but on this day the ailing Es aren't helping matters, so an SCL GE helps out. It's late su... (more)

The southbound Floridian passes JN Tower at L&S Junction on its way to Louisville Union Station. Amtrak’s Chicago to Florida train is running over five hours late on this clear but snowy day.... (more)

The northbound Floridian departs Nashville on a nice May day in 1978. Bad numbers are about to catch up with the train, which will be discontinued the following October.

The Floridian loads a few at Nashville on a nice May day in 1978. Bad numbers are about to catch up with the train, which will be discontinued the following October.

Amtrak is over a year old, but 1446 - which would become Amtrak 202 - still wears its B&O dress. The Floridian would grow to a point where 2 SDP40Fs would be required, but then would be discontin... (more)

E8As of B&O and RF&P heritage team with a B-unit still in UP colors to lead the Floridian out of Montgomery's Union Station for points north.

Ex-B&O 1453 waits to lead the northbound Floridian out of Montgomery's Union Station.

On a hazy summer day in Alabama gray concrete and steel blend with faded, dirty Amtrak 204, resulting in an almost color-free image.

In 1974, the southbound Floridian was due in Montgomery around supper time, but was often hours late. On this sunny September evening it's late again, but at least it beats the sunset.

Amtrak's northbound Floridian was a dependable catch about mid-morning in Montgomery, but the southbound train was chronically late, sometimes several hours so. A big reason it eventually failed..... (more)

The Floridian was still a pretty big train in late 1973, as shown here in October of that year, with three Es and a train that stretches well past the far end of Montgomery's train shed waiting to... (more)

The Floridian near Gallatin, TN with a L&N U30C on the point followed by Amtrak and SCL E-Units.

Southbound Floridian at Union Station.