Railway & Locomotive Historical Society Graphic Materials collection, 1825-2005
Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society Graphic Materials collection spans from 1825 to 2005 and contains original artwork, lithographs, posters, art reproductions, calendars, educational charts and diagrams. Dozens of railroad companies and railroad-associated companies are represented, with the bulk of the materials being east coast-based.
- Extent:
- 67.12 Linear Feet Three manuscript boxes + eleven oversize boxes + thirteen map case drawers
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Railway & Locomotive Historical Society Graphic Materials Collection, MS 962, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society Graphic Materials Collection contains more than 525 graphic art materials featuring primarily North American railroads of the east coast. Some of the companies represented in this collection include Baldwin Locomotive Works, Baltimore and Ohio, New York Central, Union Pacific, and Pennsylvania. Multiple New York-based railroads, several east coast short lines, and some international railroads are found in this collection. Printing for mass production through lithography and other means and the advancement of railroad technology was progressing at a similar pace throughout the time period of this collection. These parallel advancements in technology and expression are well represented in this vast collection of rare and unique graphic materials. The dates of the original artwork, lithographs, art reproductions, posters, calendars, and educational charts and diagrams span from 1825 to 2005. Some of these records are one of a kind or one of very few in existence.
The materials in this collection include original art pieces by North American and French artists, many of which served as cover art for the R &LHS publication, the Bulletin (renamed Railroad History in 1972).
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society was founded in 1921 by Charles Fisher, Arthur Curran, Warren Jacobs, and Roy Carlson. In 1925, the aforementioned men, along with Albert Lumis and Carlton Philips, incorporated the society. It began as a regional organization centered mainly around the northeast but has steadily grown into a global entity with ten local/regional chapters, all of which are in the United States.
The New York chapter was the first to be established in 1934, and the latest chapter (The Steel City Chapter in McKeesport, PA) was added in 2017. Originally, prospective members were required to submit a monograph on a railroad-related topic, as well as two photographs of locomotives. However, now only a yearly fee is required. Membership has steadily grown since its founding from 52 members to 2,396 (as of 2025) around the world. Members primarily consist of rail enthusiasts, as well as archivists, librarians, authors, and former railroad employees.
The role of R&LHS is to preserve, interpret, and disseminate the accomplishments of railroad transportation through history. It is the oldest organization in North America dedicated to this cause. The organization is nationally known for its annual awards for significant and long-standing contributions to the writing, preservation, and interpretation of North American railroad history. In addition to archiving materials such as photographs, corporate papers, and other rail ephemera, the local chapters may engage in the preservation and restoration of locomotives. However, each chapter may emphasize a different aspect than the others. Additionally, most chapters publish a local newsletter or bulletin separate from the national organization's publications. The R&LHS established their first archive at Harvard Business School in 1927. In 1983 a new archive was built as a part of the California State Railroad Museum. It was also the Pacific Coast Chapter's collection which formed the initial foundation of the California State Railroad Museum.
The 2025 leadership is as follows: The president is Robert Holzweiss, treasurer is Paul Gibson, and John Atherton serves as the secretary.
- Acquisition information:
- On loan from The Railroad Locomotive Historical Society.
- Arrangement:
-
MS 962 is arranged into four series:
Series 1. Original art
Sub-series 1.1. J. H. Barr
Sub-series 1.2. Charles O. Egerton
Sub-series 1.3. Otto Kuhler
Sub-series 1.4. Emile Andre Schefer
Sub-series 1.5. Elizabeth Tone Summers
Sub-series 1.6. Other artists
Series 2. Lithographs
Series 3. Posters
Series 4. Other graphic materials
Sub-series 4.1. Art and photograph reproductions
Sub-series 4.2. Calendars
Sub-series 4.3. Educational diagrams, charts, and illustrations
Materials are arranged alphabetically within folders, boxes, and drawers by railroad or company when applicable.
- Physical location:
- Statewide Museum Collections Center
- Material specific details:
- Many of the materials are brittle, torn, or in an otherwise fragile state, and should be handled with care. Be aware of items labeled as fragile or encapsulated documents. Some of the oversized folders require two people to maneuver.
- 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 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 CSRM Library & Archives. 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], Railway & Locomotive Historical Society Graphic Materials Collection, MS 962, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
111 I StreetSacramento, CA 95814, US
- Contact:
- (916) 323-8073