Northwestern Pacific Railroad records, 1907 - 1969

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Summary

Abstract:
The Northwestern Pacific Railroad Collection is comprised of records relating to the operation of the railroad.
Extent:
6 Linear Feet 11 manuscript boxes
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Northwestern Pacific Railroad Collection, MS 56, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Northwestern Pacific Railroad Collection is comprised of records relating to the operation of the railroad. There are financial records in Series 3 and 5 and there are records relating to the equipment of the railroad in Series 1, 2, 4.

Series 1 is comprised of two volumes as well as a box of Form 351 files. Two volumes from the Office of Master Mechanic and Superintendent of Steamers / Mechanical Department are letterpress copy books which record the cost for services completed by Mechanical Department (Tiburon Shops) to Comptroller, relating to locomotives, rolling stock and floating equipment. Information has been recorded on a variety of forms. Data may include shop expenses, changes made to equipment, regular maintenance and labor costs.

One volume contains copies of invoices, records of repairs to equipment, including foreign roads, NWP shops (Tiburon, Willits and San Francisco). Also contains data relating to material and labor costs. Another volume contains an "Abstract of bills rendered".

Box 3 contains Form 351 "Requisition for construction and repair work upon / and General Manager's order" detailing the construction, repair, and purchase of locomotives, electric cars and rolling stock. Material covers NWP's Shore and Western Divisions from 1907 to 1911. Information may include: the requisition number, date submitted, project description, cost estimate (labor and material), and the old and new operating expense account numbers.

Series 2 is comprised of miscellaneous reports for the Eel River development project and a commendation list.

Series 3 contains the Executive Committee requests and approvals for expenditures. Usually includes only a concise description of project, with costs, but may on occasion include more information as well as drawings.

Series 4 is comprised of 2 volumes regarding records of equipment and equipment records. One of the volumes preserves data about steam locomotives, rolling stock, motor cars and boats as recorded on NWP Form 402. The forms are arranged by type of equipment (with a classified index at front) and then by number. Form 402 may include the following data: date built, construction [type], built by/at, receiving point, date purchased, purchased from, converted from, capacity, weight, additions and betterments, including EO, GMO number, date, description of work, amount, total, salvage, and depreciation.

The second volume provides equipment numbers, years built and purchased, cost, scrap value, and remarks, including disposition, for standard and narrow-gauge locomotives and cars. Information on floating equipment is also included.

Series 5 is comprised of sixteen, non-sequential copies of Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company: Record of Electric trains run eastward and westward (Form CR 349 E & W). These booklets were maintained by the conductor whose name is on the cover. The document also names the engineer, brakeman, and consists of specific trains. Some names were difficult to decipher.

Series 6 is comprised of joint tracking and siding mileage reports.

Series 7 includes financial ledgers and journals that include information related to department bills and trial balances with recapitulations.

Biographical / historical:

Incorporated January 8, 1907, consolidating the San Francisco & North Pacific Railway, the North Shore Railroad, and several smaller railroads between San Francisco and Eureka, California. The Northwestern Pacific was a major presence in the area offering commuter service through to San Francisco via ferry.

In 1929 Southern Pacific assumed sole ownership of the company. The last steam run was September 30, 1953. On November 1, 1984, the lines north of Willits were purchased by the Eureka Southern Railroad. Lines south were retained by the Southern Pacific. The North Coast Railroad Authority purchased the Eureka Southern out of bankruptcy in 1992. Currently a consortium of several government agencies control the line: the North Coast Railroad Authority, Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, Marin and Sonoma Counties, and the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Authority. The line is presently operated by a contract operator under the historic name of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad.

Acquisition information:

Southern Pacific Transportation Company, San Francisco, Oriental Warehouse;

Gift of Brian Thompson

Gift of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company, Oriental Warehouse [Form 351]

Southern Pacific Transportation Company, San Francisco (Oriental Warehouse), 1987 [Record of Equipment]

Royce Hall Collection

The Bancroft Library, University of California

Southern Pacific Transportation Company, Brannan St. Warehouse

Arrangement:

This collection has been arranged in 7 series.

Series 1: Office of Master Mechanic and Superintendent of Steamers / Mechanical Department Records

Series 2: Eel River Development Project Records

Series 3: Authority for Expenditure / Executive Authority Records

Series 4: Equipment Records

Series 5: Operating Department Records

Series 6: Miscellaneous Records

Series 7: Financial Records

Physical location:
Statewide Museum Collection Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff.

Terms of access:

Copyright has been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. Permission for publication must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Northwestern Pacific Railroad Collection, MS 56, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073
Library.CSRM@parks.ca.gov
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