The Meadowlark was one of two new streamliners introduced by the C&EI in late 1946, the other being the short-lived Whippoorwill which served Evansville, Indiana.

The C&EI billed the train as a "Chicago-liner" and promised "quieter, smoother, roomier lounge-car luxury."

[1] Writing in 2006, railroad historian Joe Welsh called the Meadowlark "inviting" while noting that the destination of Cypress was "obscure.

"[3] In the early 1950s the Meadowlark continued south to Joppa, on the Ohio River,[4] but by the middle of the decade it was cut back to West Vienna, Illinois, 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Cypress.

[5] The C&EI discontinued the Meadowlark altogether on January 5, 1962, ending the railroad's service to Southern Illinois.