Handbill and Timetable for Wabash Railway's "Overnight Bedroom Sleepers between St. Louis and Chicago," 1930

The Wabash Railway, with origins dating back to 1838, was a strong Midwestern carrier until Amtrak took over the national passenger railroad system in 1971.

One of the ways in which railroads had difficulty competing with automobiles was in offering privacy. Although railroads had been equipped with Pullman sleeping cars since the 1860s, these were luxury cars affordable to the wealthy.

In 1930, the Wabash Railway announced the addition of "Over-night Bedroom Sleepers," a more affordable Pullman car designed for "Travel Comfort with Privacy." Each room was provided with a "real bed that assures deep refreshing sleep," a toilet, lavatory, electric fan, overhead ventilator with exhaust fan, and "other conveniences." These Bedroom Sleepers were offered on the Midnight Limited trains between St. Louis and Chicago, which had begun in 1927. Delmar station passengers could arrive as early as 9:30 p.m. for the 11:55 p.m. Midnight Limited. The Pullman Bedroom Sleeper was set on a convenient sidetrack. Passengers could board and retire long before the scheduled departure time. The Midnight Limited also offered all-night food service in the Club-Lounge Car with "excellent breakfast in the morning." Free reclining chair cars were furnished with "soft, deep-cushioned seats," and the Club-Lounge Car was built on roller bearings for a smooth ride.