Short Line Enterprises Collection

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

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

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.

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.

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

Gift of Logan Stanley Garner, 2003.

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.

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.