New York Central Railroad

Ghost Corp Apparel — resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.

The New York Central Railroad was one of the great names of American railroading, linking New York City with major cities across the Northeast and Midwest. Formed in 1853 through the consolidation of several earlier railroads, the system later became closely associated with Cornelius Vanderbilt and grew into one of the most powerful transportation companies in the United States.

Known for its famous “Water Level Route,” the New York Central offered a relatively flat path between New York and the Midwest through the Hudson and Mohawk valleys. Its passenger trains included the legendary 20th Century Limited, which carried travelers between New York and Chicago in an era when arriving by train could still feel glamorous.

By the 1960s, changing travel habits, competition from highways and airlines, and declining passenger traffic were taking their toll. In 1968, the New York Central merged with longtime rival Pennsylvania Railroad to form Penn Central — a corporate marriage that collapsed into bankruptcy just two years later.

Two railroad giants entered. One spectacular corporate disaster came out.

Our New York Central Railroad collection celebrates the oval logo, streamlined locomotives, Grand Central-era travel, and one of the most iconic names ever to ride the American rails.