{{Short description|American named train between Illinois and West Virginia, US}} {{italic title}} {{Infobox rail service | box_width = | name = ''West Virginia 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 = {{West Virginia Night Express|inline=y}} | map_state = }}

thumb|360px|The route of the ''West Virginia Night Express'' (in <span style="color:#FF4500;">orange</span>) The '''''West Virginia Night Express''''' (also sometimes called the ''Wheeling Night Express'') was an American named train of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) on its route between Chicago, Illinois, and Wheeling, West Virginia, with major station stops in Willard and Newark, Ohio. The B&O inaugurated the ''West Virginia 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 Chicago and Wheeling in 1880.<ref name="Limiteds"/>

From 1912 until 1956 the B&O provided overnight sleeping car service between Chicago's Grand Central Station and Wheeling, West Virginia, on the ''Wheeling Night Express'', Train No. 46.<ref name="Limiteds" /> The reverse route, Train No. 45, was served by the ''Chicago Night Express''. In 1928, the routes were consolidated with Train Nos. 15/16 from Willard, Ohio, to Chicago.<ref name="Limiteds"/> During World War II, the ''West Virginia 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 ''West Virginia Night Express'' resumed independent operation from Willard to Chicago.<ref name="Limiteds"/>

==Decline and end of the train== As railroad passenger traffic was declining nationwide, the B&O discontinued the ''West Virginia Night Express'' on December 1, 1956, which ended passenger rail service between Chicago and Wheeling.

== Stations== {| class="wikitable" ! Station ! State |- |Chicago Grand Central Terminal |Illinois |- |Gary (B&O station) |Indiana |- |Willard |rowspan="4"|Ohio |- |Mansfield |- |Newark |- |Zanesville |- |Wheeling |West Virginia |}

==Schedule and equipment==

In 1947, the eastbound ''West Virginia Night Express'', Train # 46 operated on the following schedule (departure times at principal stops shown):

{| class="wikitable" ! City ! Departure time |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | '''Chicago''' (Grand Central Terminal) | 8:45&nbsp;p.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | '''Gary, Ind.''' (B&O station) | 9:47&nbsp;p.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | Willard. Ohio | 3:57&nbsp;a.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | Mansfield, Ohio | 5:03&nbsp;a.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | Newark, Ohio | 6:52&nbsp;a.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | Zanesville, Ohio | 7:48&nbsp;a.m. |- style="background-color:#BFE4FF" | '''Wheeling, W. Va.''' | 10:35&nbsp;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 eastbound ''West Virginia Night Express'' consisted of two or three head-ended cars, an RPO baggage car, a coach and a sleeper. Between Newark, Ohio and Wheeling 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"/>

==References== {{reflist|2|refs= <ref name="Limiteds">{{Sanders-Indiana}}</ref> }}

{{Infobox B&O Named Trains}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:West Virginia 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

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