Lake Shore Limited (New York Central Railroad train)

The Lake Shore Limited was a named passenger train operated by the New York Central Railroad (NYC). It was a flagship train on the NYC's Water Level Route, providing service between New York City (Grand Central Terminal) and Chicago (LaSalle Street Station, later Central Station). The Lake Shore Limited was considered one of the premier trains of the NYC, known for its luxurious accommodations and scenic route along the southern shore of Lake Erie.

The train's name evoked the landscape it traversed, a key marketing point for the New York Central. It offered a variety of accommodations, including coaches, sleeping cars (with roomettes, bedrooms, and compartments), dining cars, and observation cars. The train was known for its speed, comfort, and on-board amenities.

Service began in the late 19th century, and the train operated under the New York Central until the Penn Central merger in 1968. After the formation of Amtrak in 1971, Amtrak continued to operate a train under the name Lake Shore Limited, though with some changes to the route and equipment.

The original Lake Shore Limited of the New York Central represented a significant era in American passenger rail travel, demonstrating the importance of rail transport before the rise of widespread automobile ownership and air travel.