BIG FOUR ROUTE STORY OF THE CLEVELAND, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO & ST LOUIS RAILWAY AND ITS ROLE IN THE NEW YORK CENTRAL SYSTEM

The Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway — affectionately known as the "Big Four Route" — was one of the great arteries of Midwestern railroading and a cornerstone of the vast New York Central System. Planned and financed by the Vanderbilts, the Big Four connected its namesake cities with vital Midwestern industrial centers like Indianapolis, Toledo, and Peoria. Though formally part of the New York Central, it maintained a proud and distinct identity throughout its life, one that inspired fierce loyalty among its employees and passengers alike.

In this richly illustrated, in-depth history, author William Benning Stewart presents the most comprehensive account ever written of the Big Four. Drawing from years of research and the remarkable, never-before-published essays and photography of New York Central executive Jeremy Taylor, the book captures the day-to-day operations, people, and places that defined this “forgotten railroad.” Designed as a beautiful, image-packed historical volume, Big Four Route combines authoritative narrative with evocative visual storytelling to illuminate the railroad’s pivotal role in shaping both the New York Central System and the economic development of the American Midwest.