Atlantic and Great Western Railroad

A map of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad

The Atlantic and Great Western Railroad began as three separate railroads: the Erie and New York City Railroad based in Jamestown, New York; the Meadville Railroad based in Meadville, Pennsylvania (renamed A&GW in April 1858); and the Franklin and Warren Railroad based in Franklin Mills, Ohio (renamed A&GW in January 1853).

The owners of the three railroads had worked closely together since an October 8, 1852, meeting in Cleveland to plan an expansion that was described as the "Great Broad Route", using the Erie Railroad to reach respective areas.