on December 12, 1941; renamed the Camellia on May 18, 1947; renamed Sunland on August 1, 1948; discontinued in 1968. Streamliners Although competing railroads in the South were reluctant to make the capital investments needed to streamline their passenger car fleets, Seaboard led the way in 1939 and soon the other roads began to follow. Two of the routes, the Silver Meteor and the Silver Star, are still operating today; they are the sole survivors of the once-vast market of long-distance Florida trains. The following trains constituted Seaboard's widely advertised, very popular "Silver Fleet" of streamliners, with lightweight fluted-side stainless steel cars pulled by colorful EMD diesel locomotives: Cotton Blossom, 1947 – 1955 Streamliner, all-coach, New York to Birmingham via Athens and Atlanta. Palmland, 1941–1971 Streamliner, coach and Pullman cars, New York to Tampa (whereupon connecting service was available to Port Boca Grande) and Miami; shortened in 1968 to Columbia, SC as southern terminus Silver Meteor, inaugurated February 2, 1939 Initially an all-coach train (Pullman sleepers added in 1941), first streamliner to serve Florida, New York to Tampa/St. Petersburg and Miami. Trains continued beyond Tampa to Sarasota and Venice. Preserving its reputation as "one of the finest [trains] in the country," the Meteor retained its round-ended observation cars until Amtrak took over operation in 1971. Still in Amtrak service today with updated equipment. Silver Comet, May 18, 1947 – June 1969 Streamliner, coach and Pullman cars, New York to Birmingham via Athens and Atlanta. Silver Star, inaugurated December 12, 1947 Streamliner, coach and Pullman cars, New York to Tampa/St. Petersburg and Miami. Still in Amtrak service, with updated equipment. Sunland, 1941 – 1968 Streamliner, coach and Pullman cars, Washington to Venice, via Tampa. Connections in Washington to New York and Boston. From 1941 to 1958 named the Sun Queen. Tidewater, ca. 1953 – February 1968 Streamliner, coach and Pullman cars, Portsmouth, VA to Hamlet, NC, splitting to Birmingham and to Jacksonville. Ferries at Norfolk would transport passengers to Portsmouth, VA. Seaboard also provided some streamlined cars for this new postwar train, with other cars provided by partner L&N: Gulf Wind, July 31, 1949 – April 30, 1971 Streamliner, coach and Pullman cars, Jacksonville to New Orleans via Tallahassee, Pensacola and Mobile. Handled jointly by SAL and the L&N, with motive power changed at Chattahoochee. Significant firsts As the underdog in its competition with the wealthier Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard often