The Royal Palm was Southern's heavyweight workhorse on the Cincinnati-Jacksonville run (and it appears on this timetable as the connecting train for the Chicago-Jacksonville through sleeper below). However, it was to inspire this streamlined winter-season-only sibling, the New Royal Palm, which made its debut on December 17, 1949, offering two-night-out service between major cities of the Great Lakes region and Florida. The new streamliner would gather its inbound cars from Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and Buffalo via various overnight New York Central trains at its northern terminal in Cincinnati, and proceed southbound through Southern's scenic "Rathole" division (so named because of its many tunnels) to Chattanooga, thence via Atlanta and overnight to a connection in Jacksonville with the Florida East Coast, which operated the train along the Florida beaches south to Miami.[*]

The timetable below also reproduces in full three of the New York Central's connecting trains, the Ohio Special/Michigan Special between Detroit and Cincinnati, the Midnight Special (yes, there really was a Midnight Special) between Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, and a nameless overnight train linking Cincinnati and Chicago. This gives you a representative snapshot of New York Central's extensive overnight service in the upper Midwest, circa 1951.


From the pages of the Official Guide, March 1951

New York Central System heraldSouthern Railway heraldFlorida East Coast Ry. herald

The  "New Royal Palm"
The Michigan Special/The Ohio Special
The Midnight Special

New York Central System
Southern Railway System
Florida East Coast Railway
January 1, 1951


Ohio Special/Michigan Special
309 Train Number 302
Daily Miles (New York Central System) Services Daily
11 30P Dp 0.0 Detroit, MI (ET) C R Ar 7 00A
11 50P 10.3 Wyandotte, MI C 6 35A
12 17A 34.0 Monroe, MI C 6 00A
1 00A Ar 57.6 Toledo, OH C Dp 5 20A
1 15A Dp Ar 5 00A
F 2 07A 93.1 Fostoria, OH D 4 00A
2 34A 111.8 Carey, OH C 3 20A
F 3 02A 136.2 Kenton, OH C
3 35A Ar 160.3 Bellefontaine, OH C Dp 2 10A
3 45A Dp Ar 2 00A
4 08A 178.2 Urbana, OH C 1 36A
4 30A Ar 192.9 Springfield, OH C R Dp 1 15A
4 35A Dp Ar 1 10A
5 20A 218.0 Dayton, OH C R 12 35A
F 5 36A 228.0 Miamisburg, OH C F12 14A
5 52A 238.8 Middletown, OH C 12 01A
6 34A 265.6 Winton Place, OH C 11 26P
6 50A Ar 270.3 Cincinnati, OH (Union Tml.) (ET) C R Dp 11 15P
Through Cars to/from Chicago
440 410 Train Number 437
Sa Only Ex Sa
Miles (New York Central System) Services
Daily
11 00P 11 45P Dp 0.0 Chicago, IL (Central Sta.) (CT) C R Ar 7 30A
11 10P 11 56P 6.5 Woodlawn, IL (63rd St.) C 7 15A
12 25A 1 10A 54.4 Kankakee, IL C 6 10A
1 00A 1 45A 84.2 Sheldon, IL C F 5 10A
1 25A 101.0 Fowler, IN C
2 25A 2 40A 129.2 Lafayette, IN C 3 45A
3 35A 164.9 Lebanon, IN C
4 30A 4 20A Ar 193.6 Indianapolis, IN C R Dp 1 55A
Through Sleepers St. Louis-Cincinnati
446 Connecting Train Number (New York Central) 427
10 30P Dp 0.0 St. Louis, MO (Union Sta.) (CT) C R Ar 8 00A
4 25A Ar 252.2 Indianapolis, IN C R Dp 2 00A
4 45A 4 40A Dp 193.6 Indianapolis, IN C R Ar 1 35A
5 15A 220.4 Shelbyville, IN C F12 51A
5 45A 5 37A 240.4 Greensburg, IN C 12 25A
6 10A 255.4 Batesville, IN C F12 03A
F 6 40A F 6 25A 280.9 Lawrenceburg Jct., IN (CT)
8 15A 8 00A Ar 302.5 Cincinnati, OH (Union Tml.) (ET) C R Dp 11 55P
Through Sleeper Detroit-Tampa
Through Sleeper Chicago-Jacksonville
3 Connecting Train Number (Southern Ry.) 4
8 45A Dp 0.0 Cincinnati, OH (Union Tml.) (CT) C R Ar 9 55P
5 20P 338.0 Chattanooga, TN (Terminal Sta.) (ET) C 1 01P
9 40P 490.7 Atlanta, GA (Terminal Sta.) C 8 40A
7 15A Ar 840.2 Jacksonville, FL C R Dp 10 00P
7-107 Connecting Train Number (Seaboard Air Line) 108-8
8 40A Dp 0.0 Jacksonville, FL C R Ar 7 45P
11 30A 127.2 Wildwood, FL C 5 10P
1 30P Ar 210.7 Tampa, FL (ET) C R Dp 2 35P
Through Sleeper Buffalo-Miami
5 Connecting Train Number (New York Central) 290
8 00P Dp 0.0 Buffalo, NY (ET) C R Ar 11 49A
11 58P Ar 185.1 Cleveland, OH (Union Tml.) C R Dp 7 30A
The Midnight Special
417 Train Number 442
Daily
Miles (New York Central System) Services
Daily
12 15A Dp 0.0 Cleveland, OH (Union Tml.) (ET) C R Ar 6 55A
12 25A 6.2 Linndale, OH C 6 37A
F 1 40A 66.7 Shelby, OH C F 5 20A
2 00A 75.2 Crestline, OH C 5 02A
2 20A 79.4 Galion, OH C 4 50A
3 30A Ar 137.6 Columbus, OH C R Dp 3 30A
3 50A Dp Ar 3 15A
4 55A Ar 182.6 Springfield, OH C R Dp 2 10A
5 05A Dp Ar 1 58A
5 50A 207.7 Dayton, OH C R 1 20A
6 20A 228.5 Middletown, OH C 12 38A
7 10A 255.3 Winton Place, OH C 12 01A
7 25A Ar 260.0 Cincinnati, OH (Union Tml.) (ET) C R Dp 11 50P
The New Royal Palm
5 Continuing Train Number (Southern Ry.) 6
8 30A Dp 270.3 Cincinnati, OH (ET) C Ar 10 15P
R 9 10A 352.1 Lexington, KY (CT) C 7 30P
4 00P Ar 608.3 Chattanooga, TN (Terminal Sta.) (ET) C Dp 2 15P
4 10P Dp Ar 2 05P
7 40P Ar 761.0 Atlanta, GA (Terminal Sta.) C Dp 10 30A
7 50P Dp Ar 10 10A
9 50P Ar 848.8 Macon, GA C Dp 8 10A
10 00P Dp Ar 8 00A
4 05A Ar 1110.5 Jacksonville, FL C Dp 1 50A
9 Continuing Train Number (Florida East Coast Ry.) 10
4 25A Dp 1111 Jacksonville, FL C Ar 1 30A
5 01A 1148 St. Augustine, FL C 12 48A
D 5 43A 1215 Ormond, FL C R12 01A
5 54A 1221 Daytona Beach, FL C 11 54P
6 27A 1236 New Smyrna Beach, FL C 11 32P
F 6 59A 1265 Titusville, FL C R10 47P
7 18A 1285 Cocoa-Rockledge, FL C 10 28P
7 39A 1305 Melbourne, FL C 10 08P
8 15A 1339 Vero Beach, FL C 9 37P
8 34A Ar 1353 Fort Pierce, FL C Dp 9 23P
8 40A Dp Ar 9 15P
D 9 03A 1372 Stuart, FL C 8 50P
D 9 18A 1386 Hobe Sound, FL R 8 32P
9 46A 1410 West Palm Beach, FL C 8 07P
D 9 59A 1417 Lake Worth, FL C 7 51P
D10 13A 1428 Delray Beach, FL C 7 37P
D10 24A 1436 Boca Raton, FL C 7 26P
D10 33A 1444 Pompano Beach, FL C R 7 17P
10 46A 1452 Fort Lauderdale, FL C 7 05P
10 59A 1459 Hollywood, FL C 6 53P
11 25A Ar 1477 Miami, FL (ET) C Dp 6 30P

Train 309-5-9 (Detroit-Miami): 37 stops, 35:55, 41.1 MPHTrain 10-6-302 (Miami-Detroit): 36 stops, 36:30, 40.5 MPH

Train 410-5-9 (Chicago-Miami): 31 stops, 34:40, 43.5 MPHTrain 10-6-437 (Miami-Chicago): 32 stops, 38:00, 39.7 MPH

Train 417-5-9 (Cleveland-Miami): 33 stops, 35:10, 41.7 MPHTrain 10-6-442 (Miami-Cleveland): 33 stops, 36:25, 40.3 MPH

NOTE: Operates via Moultrie Cut-off between St. Augustine and Bunnell, FL (50 miles south); mileage for the cut-off is not given in the timetable. All timetable mileages are via East Palatka.

(New York Central System Notes)


"NEW ROYAL PALM" FLORIDA SERVICE

THROUGH AIR-CONDITIONED EQUIPMENT
(Daily, unless otherwise noted.)

Dining Service for all meals.
Buffalo-Miami—
10-Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom Sleeper Car 708.
Coach passengers change at Cleveland.
Chicago-Miami—
10-Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom Sleeper Car 710.
10-Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom Sleeper Car 709.
Coach passengers change at Cincinnati.
Cleveland-Miami—
10-Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom Sleeper Car 707.
Reclining Seat Coach—All seats reserved Car RP-2.
Coach passengers change at Cincinnati.
Detroit-Miami—
5 Double Bedroom Buffet Sleeper Car 700.
13 Double Bedroom Sleeper Car 701.
4-Compartment, 4 Double Bedroom, 2 Drawing-room Sleeper Car 702.
10-Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom Sleeper Car 703.
10-Roomette, 5 Double Bedroom Sleeper Car 704.
Reclining Seat Coaches—All seats reserved.
Cincinnati-Miami—
14-Roomette, 4 Double Bedroom. (Alternate day operation.)

NEW YORK CENTRAL SYSTEM
The Water Level Route—You Can Sleep


PULLMAN, COACH AND DINING CAR SERVICE EASTBOUND
Regularly assigned cars are air-conditioned.
Air-conditioned equipment is assigned as far as possible but the right is reserved to employ non air-conditioned cars as necessitated by volume of traffic or emergencies.


No. 302—Michigan Special—Daily.

Sleeping Cars—Open at Cincinnati 9:30 p.m. and may be occupied until 7:30 a.m. at Detroit.

Tampa to Detroit—8-Section, Drawing-room, 2 Compartment (from S.A.L. Ry. No. 108-8 at Jacksonville-So. Ry. No. 4 at Cincinnati).

Cincinnati to Detroit—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

Coaches...Cincinnati to Detroit.

NEW ROYAL PALM EQUIPMENT.

From F. E. C. Ry. No. 10 at Jacksonville—Southern Ry. No. 6 at Cincinnati.

Observation Sleeping Car...Miami to Detroit—5 Double Bedroom—Buffet.

Sleeping Cars...Miami to Detroit—4-Compartment, 4 Double Bedroom, 2-Drawing-room.

Miami to Detroit—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

Miami to Detroit—10 Roomette, 5 Double Bedroom.

Miami to Detroit-13 Double Bedroom.

Coach...Miami to Detroit—Reclining Seat—All Seats Reserved.


No. 410—Daily, except Saturday.

Lounge Sleeping Car...Chicago to Cincinnati—6 Double Bedroom—Buffet.

Sleeping Cars—Open at Chicago 9:45 p.m. and may be occupied until 8:00 a.m. at Indianapolis.

Chicago to Jacksonville—10-Section, Drawing-room, 2-Compartment (in So. Ry. No. 3 from Cincinnati).

Chicago to Cincinnati—22 Roomette.

Chicago to Indianapolis—12-Section, 2 Double Bedroom.

St. Louis to Cincinnati—8-Section, 5 Double Bedroom (from No. 446 at Indianapolis).

Coaches...Chicago to Cincinnati.

NEW ROYAL PALM EQUIPMENT.

In Southern Ry. No. 5 from Cincinnati—F. E. C. Ry. No. 9 from Jacksonville.

Sleeping Cars...Chicago to Miami—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom. (Two.)


No. 440—Saturday only.

Lounge Sleeping Car...Chicago to Cincinnati—6 Double Bedroom—Buffet.

Sleeping Cars—Open at Chicago 9:45 p.m. and may be occupied until 8:00 a.m. at Indianapolis.

Chicago to Jacksonville—10-Section, Drawing-room, 2-Compartment (in So. Ry. No. 3 from Cincinnati).

Chicago to Cincinnati—22 Roomette.

Chicago to Indianapolis—12-Section, 2 Double Bedroom.

St. Louis to Cincinnati—8-Section, 5 Double Bedroom, Compartment (from No. 446 at Indianapolis).

Coaches...Chicago to Cincinnati.

NEW ROYAL PALM EQUIPMENT.

In Southern Ry. No. 5 from Cincinnati—F. E. C. Ry. No. 9 from Jacksonville.

Sleeping Cars...Chicago to Miami—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom. (Two.)


No. 442—Midnight Special—Daily.

Sleeping Cars—Open at Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus 9:30 p.m. and may be occupied until 8:00 a.m.

Cincinnati to Cleveland—12-Section, Drawing-room.

Cincinnati to Cleveland—22 Roomette.

Dayton to Cleveland (except Saturday night-Sunday morning)—12-Section, Drawing-room.

Columbus to Cleveland (except Saturday night-Sunday morning)—12-Section, Drawing-room.

Clifton Forge, Va., to Cleveland—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom (from C. & O. No. 47 at Columbus).

Coaches...Cincinnati to Cleveland.

NEW ROYAL PALM EQUIPMENT.

From F. E. C. Ry. No. 10 at Jacksonville—Southern Ry. No. 6 at Cincinnati.

Sleeping Cars...Miami to Cleveland—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

Miami to Buffalo—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom (in No. 290 from Cleveland).

Coach...Miami to Cleveland—Reclining Seat—All Reserved.


PULLMAN, COACH AND DINING CAR SERVICE WESTBOUND

No. 309—Ohio Special—Daily.

Sleeping Cars—Open at Detroit 10:00 p.m. and may be occupied until 7:30 a.m. at Cincinnati.

Detroit to Tampa—8-Section, Drawing-room, 2 Compartment (in So. Ry. No. 3 from Cincinnati - S. A. L. No. 7-107 from Jacksonville).

Detroit to Cincinnati—10-Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

Coaches...Detroit to Cincinnati.

NEW ROYAL PALM EQUIPMENT.

In Southern Ry. No. 5 from Cincinnati—F. E. C. Ry. No. 9 from Jacksonville.

Observation Sleeping Car...Detroit to Miami—5 Double Bedroom, Buffet.

Sleeping Cars...Detroit to Miami—4 Compartment, 4 Double Bedroom, 2 Drawing-room.

Detroit to Miami—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

Detroit to Miami—10 Roomette, 5 Double Bedroom.

Detroit to Miami—13 Double Bedroom.

Coach...Detroit to Miami—(Reclining Seat—All Seats Reserved).


No. 417—Midnight Special—Daily.

Sleeping Cars—Open at Cleveland 9:30 p.m.

Cleveland to Cincinnati—12-Section, Drawing-room (Two) (may be occupied until 7:30 a.m.).

Cleveland to Cincinnati—22 Roomette (may be occupied until 7:30 a.m.).

Cleveland to Columbus (except Saturday)—12-Section, Drawing-room (may be occupied until 8:00 a.m.).

Cleveland to Dayton (except Saturday)—12-Section, Drawing-room (may be occupied until 8:00 a.m.).

Coaches...Cleveland to Cincinnati.

NEW ROYAL PALM EQUIPMENT.

In Southern Ry. No. 5 from Cincinnati—F. E. C. Ry. No. 9 from Jacksonville.

Sleeping Cars...Buffalo to Miami—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom (from No. 5 at Cleveland).

Cleveland to Miami—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

Coach...Cleveland to Miami—Reclining Seat—All Reserved.


No. 437—Daily.

Lounge Sleeping Car...Cincinnati to Chicago—6 Double Bedroom—Buffet.

Sleeping Cars—Open at Cincinnati 9:30 p.m.; at Indianapolis 9:00 p.m.

Jacksonville to Chicago—10-Section, Drawing-room, 2 Compartment (from Sou. Ry. No. 4 at Cincinnati).

Cincinnati to Chicago—22 Roomette.

Cincinnati to St. Louis—8-Section, 5 Double Bedroom (in No. 427 from Indianapolis).

Indianapolis to Chicago—12-Section, 2 Double Bedroom.

Coaches...Cincinnati to Chicago.

NEW ROYAL PALM EQUIPMENT.

From F. E. C. Ry. No. 10 at Jacksonville—Southern Ry. No. 6 at Cincinnati.

Sleeping Cars...Miami to Chicago—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom. (Two.)



NEW ROYAL PALM EQUIPMENT.
(N.Y.C. to Cincinnati—Sou. Ry. to Jacksonville—F.E.C. Ry. to Miami).

Observation Lounge Sleeping Car:

Detroit-Miami...5-Double Bedroom—Buffet.

Sleeping Cars:

Detroit-Miami...4-Compartment, 4-Double Bedroom, 2-Drawing-room.

Detroit-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom.

Detroit-Miami...10-Roomette, 5-Double Bedroom.

Detroit-Miami...13-Double Bedroom.

Cleveland-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom.

Buffalo-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom.

Chicago-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom.

Chicago-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom.

Cincinnati-Miami...14-Roomette, 4-Double Bedroom. (Alternate day operation.)

Dining Car serving all meals.

Reclining Seat Coaches—Detroit-Miami. Cleveland-Miami. Cincinnati-Miami. (All seats reserved and assigned in advance—coach seat charge applies).


(Southern Railway System Notes)


THERE'S NO FINER TRAIN TO FLORIDA
New Royal Palm
Streamlined, Winter-Season Train

Daily through service between the Great Lakes Region and the East Coast of Florida, via Cincinnati, Ohio.

EQUIPMENT

Sleeping Cars:

Chicago-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom

Chicago-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom

Detroit-Miami...5-Double Bedroom-Observation

Detroit-Miami...10-Roomette, 5-Double Bedroom

Detroit-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom

Detroit-Miami...4-Compartment, 4-Double Bedroom, 2-Drawing-room

Detroit-Miami...13-Double Bedroom

Buffalo-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom

Cleveland-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom

Cincinnati-Miami...10-Roomette, 6-Double Bedroom (Operates every other day.)

Atlanta-Miami...14-Roomette, 4-Double Bedroom


Reclining Seat Coaches between Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Miami.

Tavern-Lounge Car between Cincinnati and Miami.

Dining Car Service. Coach seats reserved at slight extra cost.

Train Passenger Representative-Hostess.


Make Reservations Now!
SOUTHERN RAILWAY SYSTEM


(Florida East Coast Ry. Notes)


FLORIDA EAST COAST
Railway


THROUGH SERVICE BETWEEN
CHICAGO, the MID-WEST and FLORIDA


DAILY COACH AND PULLMAN STREAMLINER
NEW ROYAL PALM: All stainless steel light weight equipment; reserved seat luxury coaches from Cleveland, Detroit and Cincinnati; through private room sleepers from Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati and Atlanta; bar-lounge, diner-lounge and dining car.

EQUIPMENT
All Regularly Assigned Cars Air-Conditioned.


SOUTHBOUND

No. 9—New Royal Palm. Daily.
Coach and Pullman Streamliner.

Coaches (Reserved Seats).

[RP-1] Cincinnati-Miami—(22 Seats).

[RP-2] Cleveland-Miami—(54 Seats).

[RP-3] Detroit-Miami—(54 Seats).

Diner-Lounge...Cincinnati-Miami.

Sleepers...[710] Chicago-Miami—10 Roomettes, 6 Double Bedroom.

[709] Chicago-Miami—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

[708] Buffalo-Miami—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

[707] Cleveland-Miami—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

Dining Car...Cincinnati-Miami.

Sleepers...[706] Cincinnati-Miami—14 Roomette, 4 Double Bedroom. (Operates March 2 and every other day from Cincinnati.)

[705] Atlanta-Miami—14 Roomette, 4 Double Bedroom.

[704] Detroit-Miami—10 Roomette, 5 Double Bedroom.

[703] Detroit-Miami—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

[702] Detroit-Miami—4 Compartment, 2 Drawing-room, 4 Double Bedroom.

[701] Detroit-Miami—13 Double Bedroom.

[700] Detroit-Miami—5 Double Bedroom, Lounge-Observation.


NORTHBOUND

No. 10—New Royal Palm. Daily.
Coach and Pullman Streamliner.

Coaches (Reserved Seats).

[RP-1] Miami-Cincinnati—(22 Seats).

[RP-2] Miami-Cleveland—(54 Seats).

[RP-3] Miami-Detroit—(54 Seats).

Diner-Lounge...Miami-Cincinnati.

Sleepers...[F-710] Miami-Chicago—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

[F-709] Miami-Chicago—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

[F-708] Miami-Buffalo—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

[F-707] Miami-Cleveland—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

Dining Car...Miami-Cincinnati.

Sleepers...[F-706] Miami-Cincinnati—14 Roomette, 4 Double Bedroom. (Operates March 1 and every other day from Miami.)

[F-705] Miami-Atlanta—14 Roomette, 4 Double Bedroom.

[F-704] Miami-Detroit—10 Roomette, 5 Double Bedroom.

[F-703] Miami-Detroit—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom.

[F-702] Miami-Detroit—4 Compartment, 2 Drawing-room, 4 Double Bedroom.

[F-701] Miami-Detroit—13 Double Bedroom.

[F-700] Miami-Detroit—5 Double Bedroom, Lounge-Observation.




The New Royal Palm would continue to operate during the winter seasons through 1955, after which time much of its equipment would be shifted to the original Royal Palm as it upgraded to streamliner status. However, the through operation between Miami and the upper Midwest would not last; by the end of the 1950s the Royal Palm was back to its original Cincinnati-Jacksonville itinerary.