Atlantic & Great Western

Company History: The A&GW was the product of an 1852 plan to build a 6’ gauge line from a connection with the Erie in Salamanca, New York to Cincinnati, Ohio. Over several years, the Erie & New York City was combined with the Meadville Railroad and the Franklin & Warren. A branch to Cleveland was built in 1863 and the following year they reached a connection with the Cincinnati Hamilton & Dayton in Dayton. The CH&D was standard gauge so the line was dual gauged so A&GW trains could reach Cincinnati. In Cincinnati, A&GW connected with the 6’ gauge Ohio & Mississippi. With that connection made, you could ride from New York City to St. Louis on 6’ gauge lines. The A&GW changed hands several times, went through four receiverships and was leased by the Erie on three different occasions. In 1880, the A&GW was sold at foreclosure and became the New York Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad.

Brief History: The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.