FEC's first diesel locomotive, E3A #1001 of 1939, was assigned to the Jacksonville-Miami Henry M. Flagler. Partner #1002, along with 2 identical Atlantic Coast Line E3A's #500 & #501, was assigned to the daily New York-Miami Champion, which had its inaugural run on December 1, 1939. Each unit pulled an identical consist of 7 passenger cars, with 2 sets owned by each railroad.

In January 1941, in response to overwhelming demand, the Champion was doubled in size to 14 cars. The streamliner again received new equipment in the winter of 1949-50, which it operated until Amtrak in 1971.

Original consists, winter 1939-40:
The Champion	Henry M. Flagler	Car Type
New Smyrna	Stuart	22-seat coach - baggage - dorm
Cocoa-Rockledge	Hollywood	60-seat coach
Pompano	Hobe Sound	60-seat coach
Fort Pierce	Fort Lauderdale	48-seat diner
Boca Raton	Melbourne	60-seat coach
Vero Beach	Delray Beach	52-seat coach - hostess rm
Bay Biscayne	Lake Worth	Tavern observation (round-end)

• The original Henry M. Flagler "Streamliner on the Florida East Coast" post card, Florida State Archives Photographic Collection. Operating for only one year, the train departed Jacksonville daily at 8:00 am, arrived in Miami at 1:59 pm, was turned and departed Miami at 3:00 pm, arriving back in Jacksonville at 8:59 pm. Starting in 1940, the consist next became the Dixie Flagler running between Chicago and Miami every third day.

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• The southbound Henry M. Flagler streamliner pauses at the Spanish-style Hollywood Florida station, post card, Florida State Archives Photographic Collection

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• The northbound FEC Champion streamliner boards passengers at Miami, post card, Florida State Archives Photographic Collection

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• The east coast of Florida was well-served by the FEC in the winter of 1952/53. The 10 trains each way on most days included 5 streamliners, 3 conventional through trains and 2 locals.
  • Timetable ad, December 1952
  • Condensed timetable, December 1952
  
  
• For the winter of 1956/57, both the East Coast Champion and Florida Special zipped along on 24-hour schedules from New York to Miami. The streamlined Dixieland, in its last season and formerly known as the Dixie Flagler, rolled from Chicago to Miami combined with the Royal Palm over the FEC.
  • Northeast to Florida, Official Railway Guide, December 1956
  • Midwest to Florida, Official Railway Guide, December 1956
  
  

• Don't miss the FEC Online Timetable, Winter 1957-58 including every station, all trains, equipment rosters and authentic advertisements!

• Florida East Coast Railway timetable, August 2, 1965 (during the strike)
  • Front cover, map & list of offices
  • Schedules, fares & Strike Notice
  
  
• FEC Railway in Miami, Florida State Archives Photographic Collection:

Click for full size 1920s high aerial view of Buena Vista Yard looking N.W., bounded by 36th St. on the north.

Click for full size 1930s S.E. view with FEC station lower left. Tall building wearing hat is Dade County Courthouse.

Click for full size 1930s N.W. view from courthouse with the humble FEC station at center.

Click for full size Proposed in 1940, this new Miami station under NE 14th St was never built.

Click for full size This new, modern suburban station opened in North Miami in 1955.

Click for full size The FEC station and mainline are clearly visible at left in this 1962 view looking north at the Dade County Courthouse.

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Original line drawing art by Stan Lytle, enhanced with road colors and other details by Jack Bleiberg. Henry M. Flagler streamliner GIF image by Media by McCann.

About color schemes: The colors on this page show Florida East Coast Railway's red, yellow and silver, used from 1939 to 1962.