This was former Wabash train number 24, by this photo date it was N&W number 4-124, the Domeliner "Blue Bird", departing Saint Louis at 9:10 AM daily for Chicago, stopping at 47th Street at 2:32 PM and arriving at Dearborn Street Station at 2:50 PM. Although leased by the N&W ( at the time of this photo, the Wabash was controlled by the PRR ), the Wabash continued to exist as a paper railroad until November 1991 when the N&W purchased the Wabash outright.

'Steam Chicago Style'. The Twentieth Century Railroad Club and Norfolk Southern Corp. are proud to announce the operation of four steam excursions from Chicago to be operated with N&W's J-class locomotive No. 611. The 'Nickel Plate Limited' will operate to Fort Wayne, Ind. and return on July 30 and August 7. The 'Wabash Cannonball' will operate to Decatur, Ill. and return on July 31 and August 6. All trains depart and arrive Chicago Union Station. Consist to include recording car, open window and air conditioned coaches, souvenir-snack car, and First Class section featuring domes, diner, and observation car. Prices: Coach, $49.95, First Class, $99.95.

This may be a transfer move over to the C&NW, N&W GP38AC 4133 was attached to the rear of this train, and the following was a photo caption in the November 1983 issue of Trains:

A highlight of Midwestern visit by Norfolk & Western's J-class 4-8-4 611 was August 6, 1983 departure from North Western Station, Chicago with 22-car Overland 400 excursion sponsored by the 20th Century Railroad Club to Sterling, Ill. and return. C&NW blurbed it as the last steam locomotive in the terminal, whose head building is to be razed. The big 4-8-4 was on a post-NRHS convention swing from Richmond, Va. to Chicago and Saint Louis, including trips over former Nickel Plate and Wabash trackage. C&NW trips were arranged after problems arose with the Illinois Central Gulf on turning 611 in Decatur, Ill.