The Southerner did get sleepers as far as Birmingham about 1949, later all the way
A lot of southeastern lines in particular felt that any sleeper was in every case superior to any coach.Their marketing departments mistakenly felt that upgrading coaches made it unnecessary to buy streamlined sleepers.
Examples of streamliners that were all coach at first were: Southerner, Dixie Flagler. South Wind, City of Miami, Silver Meteor,Georgian, Humming Bird. East Coast Champion, probably others They eventually got sleepers sometimes heavyweight af first.
The above trains were mostly new, adding to the fleet. Lack of sleepers was not a problem at least not at first. But the Tennessean,also a streamliner, replaced a specific train, the Memphis Special. Lack of sleepers on an existing train proved to be a serious mistake. Old heavyweight sleepers were quickly restored to it. Later some of the sleepers were streamlined,about 1949 the same order in which the Southerner got some sleepers .And that same order re equipped the Crescent and the Royal Palm.
I remember hearing about many all-coach trains travelling long-distances and thinking, "People really wanted to sit for that long?" because I always get a sleeper when going overnight. I guess BHM was sure an important city back then, maybe more so than ATL, but it's a wreck now.
Beyond the southeast there were other all coach streamliners, like Santa Fe El Capitan, UP Challenger,PRR Trail Blazer, NYC Pacemaker, etc
Keep in mind the greater comfort level with a streamlined coach, such as air conditioning, reclining seats at least with footrest even if not full leg rest, more room between seats, largrer restrooms. Some had on board nurses. Some few trains, I think one was on the B&O. had some cars just for women with children.
And keep in mind that most streamliners were hours faster.
Of course many heavyweight coaches were eventually equipped with air conditioning and reclining seats.
BHM trains
L&N Station, the one now used by Amtrak. built new about 1960
Humming Bird, Pan American, Azalean Cincinnati to New Orleans/The Humming Bird also had a section to Chicago and St.Louis
South Wind Chicago to Miami
Terminal Station, long since torn down
Southern's Southerner, Pelican, Birmingham Special, nameless local fomerly known as the Queev and Crescent
ALSO Southern and Frisco Kansas City Florida Special and Sunnyland also a nameless overnight locsl from BHM to ATL
Seaboard Silver Comet and two nameless locals
Illinois Central and Central of Georgia City of Miami and Seminole
I have probably left some out but this was still quite a big less than Atlanta but a lot more than today.
It is striking to look over this and realize that at one time there were three routes to Chicago. That would be the South Wind, the City of Miami=Seminole and the Humming BIrd
