In 1967, the United States Post Office dealt a heavy blow to the B&O and other US railroads by cancelling most of their lucrative mail contracts. Most of the train's route through West Virginia, southern Ohio, and south-central Indiana and Illinois was, and continues to be, sparsely populated. Few cities or towns existed along the line that could contribute additional revenue or passengers to the train; indeed, it had never profited from high ridership even in its golden age.
In 1967, the United States Postal Service significantly impacted the B&O and other US railroads by terminating most of their lucrative mail contracts. The majority of the train's route through West Virginia, southern Ohio, and south-central Indiana and Illinois remained sparsely populated. Few cities or towns existed along the line that could generate additional revenue or passengers for the train; in fact, it had never profited from high ridership even during its peak years.