Short Line Enterprises Collection, 1962-1989

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Garner, Logan Stanley Oden, William A., 1938-1983 Short Line Enterprises Oden, William A. Garner, Logan Stanley, Oden, William A., Garner, Logan Stanley / Oden, William A. /
Abstract:
Extent:
18 boxes + 8 half-boxes
Language:
Preferred citation:

Short Line Enterprises Collection. California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Logan Stanley Garner, 2003.

Indexed terms

Names:
Drew, Stephen E.
Drew (Stephen E.)

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

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

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073