Who wrote the song "City of New Orleans"?

"City of New Orleans" is a country folk song written by Steve Goodman and first recorded for Goodman's self-titled 1971 album. It describes a train ride from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad's City of New Orleans. Goodman got the idea while traveling on the Illinois Central line for a visit to his wife's family. The song has been recorded by numerous artists in the United States, including two major hit versions: first by Arlo Guthrie in 1972, and later by Willie Nelson in 1984.

While at the Quiet Knight bar in Chicago, Goodman saw Arlo Guthrie, and asked to be allowed to play a song for him. Guthrie grudgingly agreed on the condition that Goodman buy him a beer. He did. Guthrie liked it enough that he asked to record it. The song was a hit for Guthrie on his 1972 album "Hobo's Lullaby".

Steve Goodman (July 25, 1948 – September 20, 1984) was an American folk and country singer-songwriter from Chicago. In 1985, Goodman received the Grammy songwriter award for best country song as recorded by Willie Nelson. Goodman won his second Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 1988 for "Unfinished Business", a posthumous album on his Red Pajamas Records label.

On September 20, 1984, Goodman died of leukemia at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. He was 36 years old. Goodman was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and in April 1988, some of Goodman's ashes were scattered at Wrigley Field, the home of the Cubs.