It replaced the Seminole, a long-distance train which had operated between Chicago and Jacksonville since 1909.

[2]: 20  At the dawn of Amtrak the Shawnee was one of several trains the Illinois Central operated over the Chicago—Carbondale corridor, including the Southern Express, Creole, and Louisiane.

Its rolling stock consisted of inherited Illinois Central Gulf locomotives and passenger cars, but in 1976 they were replaced with GE P30CHes and Amfleets and for a brief time, they used Superliner cars.

The Shawnee operated until January 12, 1986, when budget cuts led to its consolidation with the Illini.

Media related to Shawnee (train) at Wikimedia Commons