Unlike its predecessor, the "Kentucky Cardinal" was a full-fledged daily train. On the days the "Cardinal" operated, the southbound "Kentucky Cardinal" split from the eastbound "Cardinal" (train 50) at Indianapolis and continued to Louisville, while the northbound "Kentucky Cardinal" combined with the westbound "Cardinal" (train 51) in Indianapolis for the journey to Chicago. On the remaining four days of the week, the "Kentucky Cardinal" ran independently from Louisville to Chicago. The "Texas Eagle" operates in a similar manner, running as a section of the "Sunset Limited" on the three days that the latter train operates.