Lynn D. Farrar papers
Finding aid created by California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives staff using RecordEXPRESS
California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
2022
111 I Street
Sacramento, California 95814
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Title: Lynn D. Farrar papers
Dates: 1850-2005
Collection Number: MS 616
Creator/Collector:
Farrar, Lynn D.
Extent: 20 linear feet (44 archives boxes + 3 half boxes + 5 oversize boxes + 1 photo box)
Repository:
California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
Sacramento, California 95814
Abstract: This collection contains the papers of Southern Pacific valuation engineer Lynn D. Farrar, who was an important collector
of Southern Pacific historical materials and the lead of the Southern Pacific Historical Cost Study, a multi-year, multi-million
dollar project undertaken by Southern Pacific to determine the cost of the construction of Southern Pacific, its subsidiary
and predecessor companies.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff for details.
Permission for publication must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives.
Lynn D. Farrar papers. California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
Gift of Lynn D. Farrar, 1999, 2009 and 2010
Biography/Administrative History
Lynn D. Farrar was born in California in 1912. He attended the University of California, Berkeley and graduated in 1944, whereupon
he enlisted in the US Army. After World War II, he attended the University of Paris, and worked in the Office of Military
Government for the United States in Berlin, Germany for 2-1/2 years.
In 1948, he was hired by Southern Pacific Company as a junior engineer. He as a valuation engineer for the SP Valuation Department
for several decades. Notably, he was the project lead for the Southern Pacific Historical Cost Study.
When he retired from the Southern Pacific in 1986, Mr. Farrar founded Transport Consultants, Inc. to work for Southern Pacific
on The Peacekeeper Rail Garrison Project, a collaborative project between first class class railroads through the Association
of American Railroads, defense contractors and the United States Air Force, which sought to identify locations along railroad
right of way that would be suitable for MX missile launches from a train.
Mr. Farrar died in 2016. He is survived by a son.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains the papers of Southern Pacific valuation engineer Lynn D. Farrar, who was an important collector
of Southern Pacific historical materials and the lead of the Southern Pacific Historical Cost Study, a multi-year, multi-million
dollar project undertaken by Southern Pacific to determine the cost of the construction of Southern Pacific, its subidiary
and predecessor companies.
The material has been arranged by record group numbers:
RG 1. SOUTHERN PACIFIC HISTORICAL COST STUDY
Series 1. PROJECT METHODOLOGY AND CONCLUSIONS
Subseries 1. Correspondence
Subseries 2. Index to Research Team codes
Subseries 3. Project reports
Series 2. SOUTHERN PACIFIC COMPANY ON-SITE RESEARCH
Subseries 1. Indexes to Southern Pacific Company corporate records
Subseries 2. Notes from Southern Pacific Company corporate records
Subseries 3. Right of way inspection trip photos
Series 3. OTHER RESEARCH MATERIAL
Subseries 1. Libraries and historical societies
Subseries 2. Books and articles
Subseries 3. Laws and statutes
Subseries 4. Newspapers
Subseries 5. Interviews
Series 4. SOUTHERN PACIFIC CORPORATE RECORDS
Subseries 1. General records
Subseries 2. Engineering Department records
Subseries 3. Valuation Department records
RG 2: PERSONAL PAPERS
Series 1. SUBJECT FILES
Series 2. CORRESPONDENCE
A list of drawings from the Farrar donation has been added to this record.
Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Historic Cost Study
Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Valuation Department