Blue Bird (train)
{{Infobox rail service | box_width = | name = Blue BirdCity of Decatur | logo = | logo_width = | image = Wabash Blue Bird.JPG | image_width = 300px | caption = The Blue Birds "Vista-Dome" dome parlor-observation car in the 1950s. | type = Inter-city rail | status = Discontinued | locale = Midwest United States | predecessor = | first = 1938 | last = April 30, 1971 | successor = | operator = | formeroperator = Wabash RailroadNorfolk and Western Railway | ridership = | ridership2 = | website = | start = Chicago | stops = | end = St. Louis | distance = | journeytime = | frequency = Daily | trainnumber = Southwestbound: 21; Northeast bound: 24 | line_used = | class = | access = | seating = Reclining seat coaches | sleeping = | autorack = | catering = Dining car | observation = dome parlor-lounge | entertainment = | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = | gauge = | el = | speed = | owners = | routenumber = | map = | map_state = }} The Blue Bird was a streamlined passenger train operated by the Wabash Railroad and its successor the Norfolk and Western Railway between Chicago, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri. It operated from 1938 to 1971. Beginning in 1950 it was one of the few Wabash passenger trains to carry a dome car and the first dome train in regular operation between the two cities. The train was cut back to Decatur, Illinois, in 1968 and renamed City of Decatur'''. Amtrak did not retain the City of Decatur, and it made its last run on April 30, 1971. History The Wabash introduced a heavyweight Blue Bird on the Chicago–St. Louis run in 1938. The train was painted blue-gold, previously reserved for the Wabash's Banner Blue. The Wabash relaunched the Blue Bird as a streamlined train on February 26, 1950, with all-new Budd Company "Vista-Dome" dome cars and E-unit diesel locomotives from Electro-Motive Division. The new train carried Wabash's standard blue-gray-white livery. The Wabash referred to the Blue Bird as a "Domeliner" in contemporary advertising. Amenities on the new train included radio and "recorded musical programs"; coach passengers had access to the "Coffee Shop Club". The new equipment cost the Wabash ; it was the first dome train to operate between Chicago and St. Louis. The Norfolk and Western Railway leased the Wabash in 1964 but continued to operate the Blue Bird. This changed in 1968 when the N&W truncated the Blue Bird to Decatur, Illinois, still departing from Chicago. This new service was named City of Decatur and operated until the formation of Amtrak in 1971. Route The Blue Bird used the Wabash's line between Chicago and St. Louis. In March 1950 northbound #24 departed St. Louis' Union Station at 8:55 AM and arrived at Chicago's Dearborn Station at 2:05 PM. The equipment set returned as southbound #21 the same day, departing Chicago at