by tls_alcos2
I don't think railroading could be what it is today without the Van Swerigen brothers and the NKP (still only one of their many railroads). The NKP in particular represents some of their best work. Prior to the 1910's (I think, but go ahead and correct me if I'm wrong) the Nickel Plate Road belonged entirely to the New York Central, just like the Big Four. As a result it always seemed to be a second class railroad. However, after the NYC passed it on to the brothers it really became a first class operation for it's time. They're other railroads all were pretty much success stories and created another St. Louis to the East Coast railroad with the cooperation between them.