{{Short description|American named train}} {{italic title}} {{Infobox rail service | box_width = | name = ''Chicago Night Express'' | logo = | logo_width = | image = | image_width = | caption = | type = Inter-city rail | status = Discontinued | locale = Mid-Atlantic United States; Midwestern United States | predecessor = | first = 1912 | last = December 1, 1956 | successor = | operator = | formeroperator = Baltimore & Ohio Railroad | ridership = | ridership2 = | website = | start = Chicago, Illinois | stops = | end = Wheeling, West Virginia | distance = | journeytime = | frequency = | trainnumber = | line_used = | class = | access = | seating = | sleeping = | autorack = | catering = | observation = | entertainment = | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = | gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg}} | el = | speed = | owners = | routenumber = | map = | map_state = }}
thumb|360px|The route of the ''Chicago Night Express'' (in <span style="color:#FF4500;">orange</span>) The '''''Chicago Night Express''''' was an American named train of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) on its route between Wheeling, West Virginia, and Chicago, Illinois, with major station stops in Newark, Ohio, Mansfield, Ohio, and Willard, Ohio. The B&O inaugurated the ''Chicago Night Express'' in 1912. It was discontinued in 1956 due to declining passenger demand.
==History== The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was chartered in 1827 and grew to be one of the largest passenger railways in the United States, often by acquiring other, smaller railroads. B&O trains began operating between Wheeling and Chicago in 1880.<ref name="Limiteds"/>
From 1912 until 1956 the B&O provided overnight sleeping car service between Wheeling, West Virginia and Chicago's Grand Central Station on the ''Chicago Night Express'', Train No. 45.<ref name="Limiteds" /> The train also stopped at the B&O's South Chicago Station.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Pere Marquette Railway, Tables 1, 6 |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=74 |issue=1 |date=June 1941}}</ref> The reverse route, Train No. 46, was served by the ''Wheeling Night Express'' or the ''West Virginia Night Express'', as it was later known. During World War II, the ''Chicago Night Express'' was consolidated with Train No. 9, the ''Pittsburgh-Chicago Express'' on the western end of the run from the junction at Willard, Ohio, to Chicago. In 1946, the ''Chicago Night Express'' resumed independent operation from Willard to Chicago.<ref name="Limiteds"/>
==Decline and end of the train== By 1956, as railroad passenger traffic was declining nationwide, the ''Chicago Night Express'' operated as Train No. 245 from Wheeling only as far west as Willard, via Newark, Ohio.<ref name=Guide>''Official Guide of the Railways''. New York: National Railway Publication Co., February 1956, pp. 414, 426.</ref> West of Willard, the sleeping car and coaches from train 245 were combined with Train No. 9, the ''Washington-Pittsburgh-Chicago Express'', to Chicago.<ref name=Guide /> B&O finally discontinued the ''Chicago Night Express'' on December 1, 1956, which ended passenger rail service between Wheeling and Chicago.
==Stations== {| class="wikitable" !Station !State |- |Wheeling (Wheeling station) |West Virginia |- |Zanesville |rowspan="4"|Ohio |- |Newark |- |Mansfield |- |Willard |- |Gary (B&O station) |Indiana |- |Chicago (Grand Central Terminal) |Illinois |}
==Route and schedule== In 1947, westbound ''Chicago Night Express'', Train # 9 operated on the following schedule (departure times at principal stops shown): {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;" ! City ! Departure time |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | '''Wheeling, W. Va.''' (Wheeling station) | 7:00 p.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | Zanesville, Ohio | 9:48 p.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | Newark, Ohio | 10:35 p.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | Mansfield, Ohio | 12:18 a.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | Willard. Ohio | 1:30 a.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | '''Gary, Ind.''' (B&O station) | 5:04 a.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | '''Chicago''' (Grand Central Terminal) | 6:15 a.m. |- align="center" bgcolor=#eeffee | colspan="2" |<small>source: ''Baltimore and Ohio System Timetable'', July 6, 1947<ref>''Baltimore and Ohio System Timetable''. Baltimore: B&0 Press, July 6, 1947, p.31.</ref></small> |} In the 1940s, the westbound ''Chicago Night Express'' consisted of two or three head-ended cars, an RPO baggage car, a coach and a sleeper. Between Wheeling and Newark, Ohio there was a diner car. In 1947, the diner car was replaced with a diner-parlor car. The train was dieselized in 1956, the last year it operated.<ref name="Limiteds"/> By then, the train had a single 8 section-4 double bedroom sleeping car, a diner-lounge, a combine car and coaches.<ref name=Guide />
==References== {{reflist|2|refs= <ref name="Limiteds">{{Sanders-Indiana}}</ref> }}
{{Infobox B&O Named Trains}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chicago Night Express}} Category:Passenger trains of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Category:Named passenger trains of the United States Category:Night trains of the United States Category:Passenger rail transportation in Illinois Category:Passenger rail transportation in Indiana Category:Passenger rail transportation in Ohio Category:Passenger rail transportation in West Virginia Category:Railway services introduced in 1912 Category:Railway services discontinued in 1956