Cornelius Vanderbilt | The First Railroad Tycoon | History in the Dark

[@kennethross786]

Fun fact: that Hightstown train wreck was the first time Vanderbilt ever rode a train ... and the last time he ever rode a train. He was fine with making money off the railroads, but he refused to ride one after that.

[@the_greenwood551]

Reminds me of Churchward who got hit by a GWR Castle class, murder by the very thing he loved trains and the railroad, at least Vanderbilt was more lucky...

[@markpalaszewski9712]

The railroad that went through Hightstown NJ was originally the Camden and Amboy. Its been abandoned since the mid 80's now, which is a shame given its historical significance. I remember seeing one of the last locals to run through there when I was a kid.

[@fanofeverything30465]

I wonder why

[@SteveRoberts5330]

As a New Yorker, this man made this city and the metro-area what it is today! Well done... ❤

[@DMCCorp]

His stock battles with NY city and State officials are worthy of stories themselves

[@SPRailfan4449]

Hey History in the dark I love the videos of you telling stories of companies and people’s life but I think a really good person’s life to talk about is Wilbert Audrey because of his work and influence on children into trains. 👍

[@roberthuron9160]

The lasting monument that Vanderbilt left is Grand Central Terminal,as both of his original railroads operate into it,i.e.,the New York Central,and the New Haven,plus when it was the transcontinental gateway,[Which I pray,it will yet become],it literally hosted connections from Canada to Mexico! Thank you for a very interesting and informative video,as there were gaps in my knowledge too! Thank you 😇 😊!

[@poowg2657]

Some have credited Vanderbilt with the phrase "A boat is a hole in the water which one tries to fill with money" after his foray into being a ship owner. After owning a few boats I can relate to it.

[@Sevenfeet0]

I live in Nashville so Vanderbilt University is an outsized influence here (and I went to the business school there). The university consistently ranks in the top 15 universities in the country. The mascot is the Commodores, in reference to Cornelius Vanderbilt's nickname of Commodore Vanderbilt. Fun fact....a hotel and luxury condo hi-rise was built across the street from Vanderbilt Law School in recent years and they named it The Aertson. Nice inside joke there. I also went to college with a direct Vanderbilt heir and am still friends to this day. Vanderbilt money is diluted through a very very large family of descendants but many of them still are able to live quite comfortably through inheritance. Of course, some have done better than others in business.

[@tomasbrychta5684]

Hello, could you also do a documentary about other great 19th/early 20th century tycoons ( Rockefeller, Ford, J.P. morgan etc.)?

[@Scybren]

Glad to see my cousin cornie getting time in the spotlight

[@tamaskecskes8616]

Harmonica plays in the background....

[@skylerlentz9908]

Absolutely outstanding work my friend

[@Camoguy222]

you should look ino the story of operation hailstorm, the destruction of the mighty Japanese fleet.

[@CarlSmith-p2c]

Minor nit-pick: During the discussion of Vanderbilt "donating" his largest steamship to the Union during the Civil War, you mentioned the CSS Virginia and the Union blockade in the Norfolk, VA area. It sounded like to my old ears that you said "Hampton Fields, VA" (around the 15:08 mark). The area is actually referred to as Hampton Roads, VA. According the Wikipedia, the name Hampton Roads dates back to at least 1755. "Roads" is an Americanization of an old British term for the geographic feature encompassed by such an area.

[@ClyDIley]

Good content

[@YJRail]

Fun Fact, Vanderbilt is the sole reason why most 90% of American locomotives are painted boring black. Before him, locomotives were painted uniquely by crews, but Vandy here decided it was better to just save money by painting everything black and white and the other railroads followed suit. Now I won't begrudge him for standardization, but come on man, color means branding!

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

Most American locomotives are still pretty colorful. Only steam engines and Norfolk Southern Railway diesel locomotives are painted black. BNSF, Union Pacific, and CSX still paint their locomotives with colorful paint schemes.

[@kingkoopa64]

Try saying that to people in 1937-1945

[@the_greenwood551]

I wonder if British Railway heard of him, but servive some purpose for railroads, could boast about and use for advertising that their trains were pull by engines that had some paintwork rather that the boring dull black.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

I thought locomotives were painted black to hide dirt & soot.

[@lukemendel8197]

The Vanderbilt family is STILL rich due to Cornelius

[@mikmik9034]

Volume is too low, had to turn of my AC and even then hard to hear, other Channels and ADS are plenty loud enough. Looked interesting too.

[@harrisonallen651]

From Steamships to steam engines

[@robthegobbler]

Can you start listing the music you use? If you already do, where is it?

[@ChargerusPrime]

And y'all call us down here in the south inbred. Dadgum man, sweet Jesus. Can you do a story on the Texas and New Orleans subsidiary of the SP?

[@generalprincecodyhedgewolf2944]

He also Made Arthur Crum invented potato chips Here’s what happened Vanderbilt Complained About his Fries being soggy then Undercooked Crum was annoyed so He Thinly sliced the potatoes to cook them evenly

[@aarongrimes9301]

Hey @history in the dark, You okay bro? you haven't streamed in a while, everything okay?

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

In the 11th Century marriage wasn't allowed if the bride and groom were closer than 7 degrees of separation unless the Pope agreed to the marriage (later reduced to 4 degrees of separation). William the Conqueror was eventually granted permission to marry Matilda of Flanders, his 3rd cousin once removed. The dangers of being too closely related to ones spouse was already well-known.

[@suzannedrawdy5946]

❤

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Back then if you didn't get married by 21 people thought there was something wrong with you.

[@mssuxmyass]

Jay Gould would be a fascinating documentary (IMHO, Your worst lists are fun too...)