New York Central Railroad (Railroad Color History Series) - Softcover

Solomon, Brian; Schafer, Mike

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0760306133 ISBN 13: 9780760306130

Publisher: Motorbooks Intl, 1999

Synopsis

In the twentieth century, the New York Central Railroad was one of the most powerful lines in the United States. Famous for its many great passenger trains, including the 20th Century Limited streamliner, the New York Central also operated high-volume freight trains and Grand Central Station in Midtown Manhattan. Prolific railway authors and historians Brian Solomon and Mike Schafer team up to present a nostalgic but colorful look at the New York Central, with an authoritative text and dozens of color images depicting New York Central memorabilia and promotional materials, as well as amazing look-like-they-were-taken-yesterday period color photographs.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

This reissue of the 1999 MBI publication tells the fascinating story of one of America’s greatest railroads. Author Brian Solomon has tracked down 150 vintage black-and-white and color photographs, timetables, and postcards not included in the previous volume to take readers on a rail journey from the 1800s to today in the form of the lines that ply former New York Central trackage.

And that journey is an evocative one. For decades the New York Central reigned as one of America’s most important railroads. Growing from the consolidation of a fledgling group of small railroad companies that formed a through route between Albany and Buffalo in Upstate New York, the New York Central became a powerhouse transportation company with 10,000-plus route miles.

            Through fabulous imagery, four specially commissioned maps, and his authoritative text, Solomon shows why the Central was a classic in every sense, growing under the firm direction of rail baron Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt. From 1902 to 1967, the New York Central operated the most famous passenger train in the world: the esteemed 20th Century Limited. Additionally, Central’s mechanical department developed the legendary 4-6-4 Hudson-type steam locomotive. Although the New York Central ceased to exist in 1968, its legacy survives on well-trafficked, high-speed main lines currently used by CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Amtrak—and in this new volume.

From the Back Cover:

Famous for its many great passenger trains, including the New York–­to–­Chicago 20th Century Limited, the New York Central also operated high-volume freight trains and the fabulous Grand Central Station in Midtown Manhattan. In this reissue of the 1999 MBI title, prolific railway author Brian Solomon sources 150 evocative photographs, promotional materials, and postcards not included in his previous volume to deliver a nostalgic and colorful look at the New York Central. In addition, there are four specially commissioned maps. The result is a fresh look at a true icon of American transportation whose legacy survives on well-trafficked, high-speed main lines used by CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Amtrak—and in this new volume.

About this edition

• Publisher: Motorbooks Intl
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0760306133
• ISBN 13: 9780760306130
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 128