Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Additional collection guides
Descriptive Summary
Title: Short Line Enterprises Collection
Dates: 1962-1989
Collection Number: MS 617
Creator/Collector:
Garner, Logan Stanley
Oden, William A., 1938-1983
Short Line Enterprises
Extent: 18 boxes + 8 half-boxes
Repository:
California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
Sacramento, California 95814
Abstract: MS 617 contains business records from Short Line Enterprises, Inc. [SLE], collected by SLE co-founder, Logan Stanley Garner.
The correspondence and notes in these files were addressed to or generated by Mr. Garner.
Language of Material: English
Access
This collection is open for research at our off-site storage facility with one week's notice. Contact Library & Archives
staff to arrange for access.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the District Collections Manager. Permission for publication is given on behalf
of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder,
which must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
Short Line Enterprises Collection. California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
Acquisition Information
Gift of Logan Stanley Garner, 2003.
Biography/Administrative History
Short Line Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation in operation between 1967 and 1988, purchased, restored and operated
historic railroad equipment. It also provided research assistance relating to railroad equipment restoration.
The company was formed in 1967 by William A. Oden and Logan Stanley Garner, with the intent of operating an excursion railroad,
the Rogue River Valley Railroad. For this venture the pair acquired railroad equipment from three Hollywood motion picture
studios : MGM, Paramount Pictures, and Twentieth Century Fox.
After plans for the Rogue River Valley Railroad fell through, the company added two partners, Ron G. Steiner and Robert D.
Verkuyl, and shifted its emphasis to the acquisition and restoration of railroad equipment for use in motion pictures, television
shows, and commercials. SLE leased Southern Pacific's Santa Paula Branch upon which to operate SLE equipment in such films
as "Throw Momma from the Train," "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" and "The Three Amigos."
SLE also prepared feasibility reports and performed railroad equipment restoration services for several Los Angeles area restaurants,
the Kansas State Historical Society, the Nevada State Railroad Museum, and the California State Railroad Museum. SLE restored
equipment for use on the Virginia & Truckee, Sierra Railroad and the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Scope and Content of Collection
MS 617 is arranged into six series, with some series further divided.
Series 1. PROJECT FILES
Subseries 1.1. Motion Picture and Television Projects
Sub-Subseries 1.1.1 General Business
Sub-Subseries 1.1.2 Specific Projects
Series 2. FINANCIAL RECORDS
Subseries 2.1 Financial Statements and Summaries
Subseries 2.2 Insurance
Subseries 2.3 Invoices
Sub-subseries 2.3.1 Incoming invoices
Series 3. CORRESPONDENCE
Series 4. NOTES
Series 5. ADMINISTRATION
Series 6. EQUIPMENT
Related collections include papers of SLE partner, William A. Oden (MS 420). The Stephen E. Drew Railroad Equipment Restoration
Report Collection (MS 606) includes information about restoration reports prepared for SLE by Mr. Drew.
Indexing Terms
Drew, Stephen E.
Additional collection guides