NYC’s Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson

NYC’s Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson

By Mitch Horner | November 24, 2025

New York Central class J-1e 4-6-4 No. 5344 received sheet-metal shrouding in 1934, making it the first streamlined steam locomotive in America. Carl F. Kantola of NYC’s equipment engineering department created the design. The Hudson was named Commodore Vanderbilt after the NYC’s famous early leader, but initially displayed no road number. Glenn Grabill photo

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