Seaboard Orange Blossom Special

An old postcard featuring EMD E units in front of the Orange Blossom Special, a deluxe passenger train operated primarily by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad between New York City and Miami.

The train was handled by the Pennsylvania Railroad from New York City to Washington, D.C., the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad from Washington to Richmond, and the Seaboard Air Line Railroad from Richmond via Raleigh, Columbia, Savannah and Jacksonville to Miami. A section went to Tampa and St. Petersburg, as a winter season only service.

Inaugurated on 21 November 1925, the service was the brainchild of SAL president S. Davies Warfield, who wanted to capitalize on the booming development that was taking place in Florida at the time. Warfield believed that Florida was a land of opportunity, and with the addition of fast, luxurious train travel, he could lure influential (not to mention wealthy) business leaders to the Sunshine State.
The service was suspended during WWII to free the equipment for wartime use in carrying troops. Its last run was in 1953. This market is now handled by Amtrak's Silver Meteor.