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: Virgil C. Staff collection
Dates: 1901-1976
Collection Number: MS 720
Creator/Collector:
Staff, Virgil C.
Extent: 73.5 linear feet + 4 oversize boxes
Repository:
California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
Sacramento, California 95814
Abstract: This collection includes records of the Western Pacific Railroad's Western Division and some personal papers collected by
Virgil C. Staff.
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 Head Librarian. 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
[Identification of item]. Virgil C. Staff collection. Collection Number: MS 720. California State Railroad Museum Library
and Archives
Acquisition Information
Gift of Virgil C. Staff, 2004
Biography/Administrative History
Virgil Clinton Staff was born on April 2, 1928 in Nevada, Iowa. As a child he watched Chicago & North Western trains coming
through town.
He graduated from Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts and the University of California in Berkeley.
A high school history teacher, Mr. Staff was a member of the American Historical Association, the Southern Historical Association
and the Associates of the Institute of Early American History and Culture.
Staff was also a member of the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association, the Pacific Locomotive Association, and the Railway
& Locomotive Historical Society.
He married his wife Lavada in 1949. Virgil C. Staff died on December 28, 2008.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection has been divided into two record groups:
RG 1. Western Pacific Railroad
RG 2. Personal papers
RG 1. Western Pacific Railroad records are arranged into four subgroups:
Subgroup 1. Authorities for Expenditure (TRANSFERRED TO MS 918 WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD AUTHORITIES FOR EXPENDITURE "AFE"
COLLECTION)
Subgroup 2. Superintendent of the Western Division, Operating Department
Series 1. Correspondence
Series 2. Subjects
Series 3. Train and engine crew
Subseries 1. General
Subseries 2. Time books
Series 4. Roadway
Subgroup 3. Mechanical Department
Series 1. Correspondence
Subseries 1. By file number
Subseries 2. By person
Series 2. Subject files
Subseries 1. General subject files
Subseries 2. "California Zephyr" train repair and operating manuals
Subgroup 4. Sacramento Northern Railroad
Series 1. Location files
Series 2. Subject files
Approximately 15 linear feet of published materials, trade catalogues, manuals, promotional brochures and public timetables
were removed from the collection and catalogued separately.
Additional collection guides