Even before its merger with the Mobile and Ohio Railroad in September 1940 the GM&N had begun assembling equipment for a new Rebel.

The trains operated on an overnight schedule between St. Louis and Mobile, using the former M&O main line via Meridian, Mississippi.

[2] The GM&O's merger with the Alton Railroad in 1947 brought several changes to the Gulf Coast Rebel.

The original Gulf Coast Rebel used a heavyweight consist which received some streamlining and other cosmetic enhancements.

[1] Originally ALCO DL-105s (styled by Otto Kuhler) handled the Gulf Coast Rebel.