The New York Central System (NYCS) was a Class 1 railroad that ran from St. Louis in the west to Boston in the east, north to Canada, and South to New York City with the premier station, Grand Central Terminal, and corporate headquarters.  Its famed "Water Level Route" - from New York City, north to Albany NY and then west through Buffalo NY, Cleveland OH, and onto Chicago - is still used by Amtrak today.  Over time, it consolidated many different railroads; Boston & Albany, Michigan Central, Peoria & Eastern, and the Big 4 (CCC&StL).  Others came and went, like the Rutland Railroad and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad.  These railroads covered many states: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and some West Virginia.  It may be gone, but the NYCS is not forgotten.  We look to preserve that rich history and make that available to historians, model railroaders, and others alike.

 

~ Alex W. Schneider, NYCSHS President

 and NYCSHS Board of Directors