I have heard from some members of the list who seek information related to
the old railway lines in New York State and the Northeast and elswhere.
Members of the list who are interested in obtaining archival information
about the railroads or about an ancestor who was connected to the railroad
industry may wish to explore the following sources:
Railroad Research Publications
3400 Ridge Road West, Suite 5-266
Rochester, New York 14626-3495
Telephone # (716) 227-6903
The Railroad Research Publications has a new book written by Mary Hamilton
Dann entitled "Upstate Odyssey: The Lehigh Valley Railroad in Western New
York". This book covers in detail the early history of the Lehigh Valley from
Geneva to Buffalo. It contains photographs and maps of the area.
They also carry some very specialized books that may shed some light on those
old uniforms that you found in the steamer trunk in your great grandfather's
attic. I am speaking of their latest copy of "Transportation Uniform Buttons"
by Donald Van Court, which identifies the buttons on railroad worker's
uniforms from the 1850's to today. Most of the button designs are accompanied
by photographs and a capsulated history of the railroad company that
commissioned them. This two volume set also covers the buttons worn on the
uniforms of the horse car, cable car, trolley car, interurban and bus line
operators from their earliest use until the present.
Another source for RR information:
NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P.O. Box 58547,
Philadelphia, PA 19102-8547
PHONE: 215.557.6606
FAX: 215.557.6740
E-Mail: nrhs@compuserve.com
Another source for information about railroad history is located at the
following website address:
w w w . r r h i s t o r i c a l . c o m
This website address features links to:
RR Clubs, Historical & Technical Societies, Anthracite Railroads Historical
Society,
Central New York Chapter, NRHS, Conrail Technical Society, Grand Trunk
Western Historical Society, Louisville & Nashville Historical Society,
National Railway Historical Society, Pennsylvania Railroad Technical &
Historical Society, Soo Line Historical & Technical Society, Project Railroad
Historical Society Index, Railroad Historical Research Center, Kentucky
Railway Museum, Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum.
The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, Inc.
Inquiries about the society's archives should be addressed to Ms. Jacqueline
J. Pryor, Archivist - R&LHS, P.O. Box 1674, Sacramento, California
95812-1674; Telephone # (916) 336-7547. When you write to Ms. Pryor, please
enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope and a daytime phone number.
Utilization of her services in excess of 30 minutes are billed at the rate of
$15 per hour and are subject to her availability.
The New York Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society
Charles M. Smith, Chairman & Director
3 Princeton Road
Strafford-Wayne, PA 19087
Arnold B. Joseph, Secretary & Director
2512 Tratman Avenue
Bronx, N.Y. 10461
Boyd A. Lowrie, Past President
143-145 Christopher Street, Suite 6
New York, N.Y. 10014-2837
Keep rooting and best wishes,
GripMason