All the steam locomotives of the New York Central Lines west of Buffalo, NY, including their specifications, builder data and disposition and the lines predecestors.

All the steam locomotives of the New York Central Lines west of Buffalo, NY, including their specifications, builder data and disposition and the lines predecestors.

For decades the New York Central reigned as one of Americas most important railroads. Beginning with the 1853 consolidation of a group of fledgling railways that formed a route from Buffalo to Albany, the New York Central grew into a powerhouse transportation company with more than 10,000 route miles. This illustrated history of the railroad that grew to power under the Vanderbilt dynasty covers every aspect of the New York Central through its 1968 merger with longtime rival Pennsylvania Railroad and the eventual merger of Penn Centrals successor, Conrail, into Norfolk Southern and CSX. Along the way, readers are treated to a selection of archival photographs, commissioned route maps, period ads, and timetables detailing all of New York Centrals operations--steam and diesel, freight and passenger--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. Prolific railway author Brian Solomon sources 150 evocative photographs, promotional materials, and postcards not included in the previous edition to deliver a nostalgic and colorful look at the New York Central. In addition, there are four specially commissioned maps.

For nearly half of the nation's history, the steam locomotive was the outstanding symbol for progress and power. It was the literal engine of the Industrial Revolution, and it played an instrumental role in putting the United States on the world stage. While the steam locomotive's basic principle of operation is simple, designers and engineers honed these concepts into 100-mph passenger trains and 600-ton behemoths capable of hauling mile-long freight at incredible speeds. American Steam Locomotives is a thorough and engaging history of the invention that captured public imagination like no other, and the people who brought it to life.

A 320 page hard cover book,, printed on archival stock, and containing a technical narrative, profusely illustrated with photographs including a 32 page color section, and engineering drawings of the last series of Mohawk type steam locomotives owned and operated by the New York Central railroad. The book describes and illustrates the original Late Mohawk design of 1940, and documents the evolution of the design and the introduction of the last Mohawks, the L-4B class, in 1942. The design is compared with other steam locomotive designs used in the railroad's service area, and documents the final Mohawk operation in early 1957.

The complete story of the New York Central railroad's famous Niagara type steam locomotives