NYC "Egyptian" passenger train

From what I have heard/seen, the NYC operated a passenger train "Egyptian" up into the 1950s from Chicago to at least Harrisburg, Il.

Anyone have any more info on this train, route, or consist/s?

CarterB wrote:From what I have heard/seen, the NYC operated a passenger train "Egyptian" up into the 1950s from Chicago to at least Harrisburg, Il.

Anyone have any more info on this train, route, or consist/s?

The Egyptian operated on an overnight schedule 7 nights a week between Chicago and Harrisburg, ILL. The train appeared
in the Official Guide of April, 1966 but by the fall of 1962, it was gone. Distance was 388.9 miles. The line continued to
Cairo, ILL which was another 70 miles south. It consisted of coach(es) and a 3 DBR, 8 SEC sleeper in each direction.
Apparently it came off sometime between 1956 and 1962. I will have to dig out NYC timetables to establish just when if it
is important for you to know.
This train did not run south of Harrisburg as of 1945, again I would have to dig for more on that too.
According to the book "When the Railroad Leaves Town" by Joseph Schwieteman, the passenger train made its last trip in
1957 and the line was sold by Conrail to the Norfolk Southern in 1982 and abandoned by the NS in 1988. There were coal
mines in this area and that is what kept the line going for as long as it did.
Noel Weaver

From the Sept. 26, 1948 public timetable:
Train 462: Depart Harrisburg at 8:50 PM - Arrive Chicago (LaSalle St.) at 7:25 AM
Train 463: Depart Chicago at 10:15 PM - Arrive Harrisburg at 8:25 AM
Sleeping car (10 Sec. - 2 D.R.) & coaches
Via Mt. Carmel,IL, Paris,IL, Danville,IL, Kentland,IN, St. John,IN, Whiting,IN, Englewood,IL.

Thank you both for the info on this somewhat 'esoteric' run. Interesting that a pullman run on such a route lasted so long!!

Found a little more on the Egyptian:

"Chicago-Cairo, Ill.

The Chicago, Indiana & Southern opened January 21, 1906, between Indiana Harbor and Danville, Ill. Passenger service began with one Chicago-Danville round trip, but expanded to two round trips within a year and three round trips on June 28, 1908. One pair of trains had a through sleeper between Chicago and Cairo. Ill.
One pairing had begun operating by 1913 between Chicago and Kentland in Newton County, but these trains were gone within two years. Service then was two Chicago-Danville round trips, increasing to three on September 26, 1926, one of which was the Egyptian with Chicago-Cairo through coaches and sleepers.
The Egyptian became a (sic: through) Chicago-Cairo train in 1934, operating on an overnight schedule. It began terminating in Harrisburg, Ill. On June 22, 1941, offering a sleeper, usually a 10-section, three double bedroom heavyweight, through the late 1950s. The Egyptian ended April 28, 1957."

Source: Limiteds, Locals, and Expresses in Indiana, 1838-1971
By Craig Sanders