In the history of American railroading, no train stands taller than the 20th Century Limited, New York Central ’s famous flagship that plied the “Water Level Route ” between Chicago and New York from 1902 until 1967.

This book tells the complete story of this extraordinary train, from its illustrious beginning in the days of opulent wooden cars through its demise in the era of passenger-train cutbacks. Along the way, this chronicle recounts the Century ’s operation in multiple sections (as many as seven in one direction) in the 1920s and 30s, when it ran with heavyweight Pullmans, as well the streamline era, ushered in with industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss ’ elegant train of 1938.

The Century was a train of magnates and movie stars, with a red carpet rolled out for departure from Chicago to New York City. With the finest of food in the diner and a full array of amenities: barber, secretary, shower, and maid the 20th Century Limited set the standards against which all other passenger trains would be measured.

More then 200 photographs and illustration, including dozens of black-and-white archival images, and period color photographs, as well as dinnerware, menus, advertisements, route maps, and interior views provide a dramatic visual account of the most famous of all passenger trains.

Contents:
Foreword, pp. 9-14;
Ch. 1: Riding the Greatest Train Ever Made, pp. 15-28;
Ch. 2: The Early Years, pp. 29-40;
Ch. 3: Abundant Centuries: The Heavyweight Years, pp. 41-66;
Ch. 4: Henry Dreyfuss' Elegant Streamliner, pp. 67-96;
Ch. 5: The Final Flowering, pp. 97-126;
Ch. 6: The Great Steel Fleet, pp. 127-142;
Ch. 7: Other Fleets: The Competition, pp. 143-150;
Epilogue, pp. 151-155, Index, pg. 156.

Andover Junction Publications, hard cover with jacket, 156 pages, 9 x 11 x .75 in., b&w plus color photographs and illustrations. AJP227
Price: 29.95 USD

New York Central Through Passenger Service In Color Vol. 1: Hope and Glory 1943-1950 Featuring the Color Photography of Ed Nowak.

The New York Central thought quite highly of its passenger service and invested heavily in its “Great Steel Fleet. ” Follow the post war development of this service through the color images of its company photographer as detailed by NYC passenger train authority Geoff Doughty.

Many of the photographs are 'staged' for Ed Nowak the NYC company photographer and therefore you will see the NYC at its best-clean equipment, terminals, and locomotives. There are quite a few interior passenger accommodation shots with models wearing the clothing of the day. Oh what a contrast with the 'slob-era' of today!

Morning Sun Books, hard cover with jacket, 128 pages, 8.5 x 11 x .5 in., all color photographs with captions. MSB1330
Price: 46.95 USD

NYC had one of the largest fleets of modern lightweight passenger cars beginning in 1936 and continuing with large postwar orders. This book gives a complete, exhaustive roster of each car down to final disposition. Detailed photographs of the exteriors and interiors of the cars are provided from both builders photographs and in-service photographs. Histories of the various trains and service developments during the period are also covered. This book compliments the previous book by the author 'New York Centrals Great Steel Fleet' and duplicates nothing except some roster data. A special section is devoted to the painting and lettering of the cars and will be of great value to modelers. This is a superbly detailed reference book on one of Americas greatest fleets of modern passenger train cars. 200+ b&w and color illustrations. TLC131
Price: 24.75 USD