Chicago & Eastern Illinois passenger trains: All through June 2024, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of “The Chicago Line.”

Chicago–Jacksonville, Fla., Dixie Limited at 21st Street, Chicago, 1947.
Donald Deneen


Chicago–Miami Dixie Flagler (beside just-arrived Santa Fe El Capitan) at Dearborn Station, Chicago, early 1940s.
Classic Trains coll.


Chicago–New Orleans Dixie Express on South Side of Chicago, 1946.
R. R. Malinoski


Chicago–Miami Dixie Flagler on South Side of Chicago, 1940s.
Paul Eilenberger


Chicago–Florida Dixieland (seasonal, January–April only) near Woodland, Ill.
C&EI


Pacific 1008, streamlined for Dixie Flagler, at Danville, Ill., shops, 1940.
C&EI


Cyprus, Ill.–Chicago Meadowlark at 63rd Street (“Little Englewood”), Chicago, April 1948.
John Proebsting


Postwar streamlined dining car.
C&EI


Sign at Dearborn Station train gate for Chicago–Evansville train 1, early 1950s.
Wallace W. Abbey


Pacific 1008 with Chicago–Florida Dixie Flagler departing Chicago on first run, Dec. 17, 1940.
C&EI


Pacific 1008 with Chicago–Evansville train 1 at Danville, Ill., March 30, 1948.
Union Switch & Signal


Wayne Leeman


New Orleans–Chicago Humming Bird approaching Terre Haute, Ind., late 1940s.
Wayne P. Ellis


St. Louis–Chicago Cardinal departing St. Louis, Sept. 11, 1948.
Paul Gibbs


Villa Grove–Thebes train 123, with cars from Chicago, at Marion, Ill., 1935.
James A. Felts collection


Evansville–Chicago Whippoorwill at Danville, Ill., March 30, 1948.
Union Switch & Signal

Please enjoy this photo gallery of Chicago & Eastern Illinois passenger trains, originally published online in 2015.