Best (Gerald M.) Papers, 1932-1983

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Summary

Title:
Gerald M. Best papers
Dates:
1932-1983
Abstract:
The papers of railroad historian, writer and photographer Gerald M. Best consists of photographs, correspondence, research notes and copied materials, manuscripts of his publications, rosters, and ephemera.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet 9 manuscript boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Gerald M. Best Papers, MS 16, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of railroad historian, writer and photographer Gerald M. Best consists of photographs, correspondence, research notes and copied materials, manuscripts of his publications, rosters, and ephemera.The correspondence relates largely to railroad topics, although some personal correspondence is present.

Topics include Best's association with the Golden Spike Centennial Celebration in 1969, the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, the formation of the California State Railroad Museum, and Best's publications. There are also letters to and from other railroad historians, writers, and photographers. The research notes pertain to Best's publications, as well as to other railroad subjects which did not find their way into print. Rosters include those prepared by Best and by others. The manuscripts are typewritten carbon copies. Ephemera includes clippings, brochures, handouts, etc. Pocket notebooks include lists of photographs wanted and other notes.

Researchers are also directed to the following Gerald M. Best collections and materials which have been removed and catalogued separately: published materials, photographs and artifacts. The photograph collection includes over 70,000 prints and 55,000 negatives, documenting more than 2,500 North American railroads. Prints are arranged by corporate name. Nearly all of the images are roster shots of steam locomotives. These have been further arranged in road number order. There are also train shots, and some coverage of diesel power and rolling stock. Not all prints have negatives, nor do all negatives have prints. A photocopy of the cards Mr. Best used to record date and location identification is available; however, it is not always possible to precisely link this data with a specific print.

Biographical / historical:

Railroad historian, writer, and photographer Gerald M. Best was born in 1895 and raised in Port Jervis, New York. While pursuing a career in radio communications and in motion picture sound engineering, Best became active in model railroading and in railroad photography. Beginning in 1948, he restored his own narrow gauge Baldwin plantation locomotive "Olomana" which he operated on Ward Kimball's Grizzly Flats Railroad in Southern California. This engine is now on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Prior to his retirement in 1962, Best wrote two books and a number of articles on railroad history. After retiring, he authored ten other books as well as several pamphlets and articles. His last article appeared posthumously in the Autumn 1985 issue of RAILROAD HISTORY.

Best was active in the Pacific Coast and Southern California Chapters of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society and served as a vice-president of the national organization. He died in 1985.

Arnold S. Menke, "Gerald M. Best's 'Autobiography of a Railfan,'" RAILROAD HISTORY (No. 158, Spring 1988), pp. 14-71.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Mrs. Gerald M. (Harriet B.) Best, 1986

Gift of Arnold S. Menke, 2012 (Series 6.)

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in the following series.

Series 1. Correspondence

Series 2. Writings

Series 3. Railroad Research

Series 4. Rosters

Series 5. Ephemera

Series 6. Photography Notebooks

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

Below is a partial list of notable books written by Gerald Best:

American Railroad Journal, 1966

Best, G. M. (1960). Central American holiday: A guide to the railroads of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Pacific Coast Chapter, Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.

Best, G. M. (1969). Iron horses to Promontory. Golden West Books.

Best, G. M. (1971). Mexican narrow gauge. Howell-North Books.

Best, G. M. (1973). Minisink Valley Express: A history of the Port Jervis, Monticello & New York Railroad and its predecessors. Golden West Books.

Best, G. M. (1978). Railroads of Hawaii: Narrow and standard gauge common carriers. Golden West Books.

Best, G. M. (1980). Promontory's locomotives. Golden West Books.

Best, G. M. (1981). Ships and Narrow Gauge Rails: The story of the Pacific Coast Company. Howell-North.

Best, G. M. (1998). Nevada County Narrow Gauge. Heimburger House Pub.

Best, G. M. (2000). The Ulster and Delaware: Railroad through the Catskills. Golden West Books ; Purple Mountain Press.

Best, G. M., & Bowman, J. N. (1969). The last spike is driven. Utah Historical quarterly.

Best, G. M., & Joslyn, D. L. (1956). Locomotives of the Southern Pacific Company, by Gerald M. Best and David L. Joslyn. Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.

Best, G. M., & Joslyn, D. L. (1966). Snowplow: Clearing Mountain Rails. Howell-North Books.

Condé, J. C., & Best, G. M. (1973). Sugar trains; narrow gauge rails of Hawaii, by Jesse C. Condé & Gerald M. Best. Glenwood Publishers.

Below is a partial list of articles written about Gerald Best:

Arnold S. Menke, "Gerald M. Best's 'Autobiography of a Railfan,'" RAILROAD HISTORY (No. 158, Spring 1988), pp. 14-71.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Photography of railroads

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Library Archives staff
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-12-09 23:50:31 +0000 .

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], Gerald M. Best Papers, MS 16, 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
Website