The New York Central’s "Commodore Vanderbilt" is an interesting choice by Märklin! It was a one of a kind Hudson (4-6-4) locomotive, styled by Zapf and Kantola. The NYC did not commission a new locomotive, but used the 3 year old J-1e #5344. It entered service in February 1935 pulling heavyweights between Chicago and Toledo as part of the 20th Century Limited. It did not stay with the 20th Century Limited for long since other motive power took over. It was replaced by J-3a’s with a striking Dreyfuss design. This time, the NYC made 10 locomotives and they were all new. Then a strange thing happened. The old "Commodore Vanderbilt was re-streamlined to look like the Dreyfuss design in 1939! Eventually the EMD E7’s replaced the locomotives in 1947 and the locomotives lost their streamlining as well. They were all scrapped in 1956.

Why would AZL write all of this? We have researched the 20th Century for more than 5 years and we are proud to announce a 6 passenger car set of the 1947 20th Century Limited which should hit the shelves this June. The brass sets will feature one "View" Observation car, 2 x "Port" Bedroom cars, one Kitchen car, one Dining car and one R.P.O.! In the past AZL has offered NYC PA1’s and E8’s which all pulled the 20th Century Limited.

Not to be alone. The NYC will get company by the 1947 PRR Broadway Limited (6 cars) and the 1941 SP Coast Daylight (12 cars!)