For decades the New York Central reigned as one of America's most important railroads. Beginning with the 1853 consolidation of a group of fledging railways that formed a route from Buffalo to Albany, the New York Central grew into a powerhouse transportation company with more that 10,000 route miles. This illustrated history of a railroad that grew to power under the Vanderbilt dynasty covers every aspect of the New York Central through it's history, including the 1968 merger with Pennsylvania Railroad, and the eventual merger of Pennsylvania Central's successor Conrail into Norfolk Southern and CSX. Along the way, readers are treated to a selection of archival photographs, route maps, period ads, and timetables detailing all of New York Central's operations - steam, and diesel, freight and passengers - not to mention associated icons like Grand Central terminal, the legendary Henry Dreyfuss - shrouded Hudson steam locomotives, the Water Level Route, and the 20th Century Limited passenger trains.