Informational Sign about Dictaphone and Typewriter Availability on the Wabash Railroad Company Streamliner "Blue Bird," 1957

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.

Passenger railroads tried to compete with automobiles by offering private rooms for social get-togethers or for businessmen to hold meetings. When the Blue Bird streamliner was introduced, it featured a drawing room with extra privacy, for use by businessmen en route to a meeting or back to their home office. By 1953, when Once Upon the Wabash was filmed, the parlor car featured the "Blue Bird Room," which could be reserved for exclusive occupancy for business or pleasure. Wabash attendants even provided a complimentary Dictaphone machine or typewriter for the convenience of businessmen while riding the Blue Bird to facilitate working sessions.

Unfortunately, most businessmen soon found that they could get work done much more quickly and efficiently traveling by airplane rather than train.