Short Line Enterprises Collection, 1962 - 1989

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Summary

Title:
Short Line Enterprises collection
Dates:
1962 - 1989
Abstract:
Contains business records from Short Line Enterprises, Inc. [SLE], collected by SLE co-founder, Logan Stanley Garner.
Extent:
20 Linear Feet 18 boxes + 8 half-boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Short Line Enterprises Collection, MS 617, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

Short Line Enterprises, Inc. (SLE), 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
Arrangement:

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

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

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Financial accounting

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Library Archives staff
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-07-27 21:41:59 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

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

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 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], Short Line Enterprises Collection, MS 617, 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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