Inventory of the Ronald G. Steiner Papers MS 738
CSRM Library and Archives staff
California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives
Contributing Institution:
California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives
Title: Ronald G. Steiner papers
Creator:
Steiner, Ronald, G.
Identifier/Call Number: MS 738
Physical Description:
10.17 Linear Feet
Eight record cartons, one oversize box, and three shoeboxes
Date (inclusive): 1874- 2018
Date (inclusive): 1967-1988
Abstract: The papers of Ronald G. Steiner include his records of Short Line Enterprises, a corporation he was a partner in, and two
advertising agencies that Mr. Steiner owned and operated.
Physical Location: Statewide Museum Collections Center
Language of Material:
English
.
Scope and Contents
The papers of Ronald G. Steiner include his records of Short Line Enterprises, a corporation he was a partner in, and two
advertising agencies that Mr. Steiner owned and operated: Steiner Advertising and Arts, a graphic arts company operating from
1961-1990 and its predecessor SSG. Personal project files include resumes and documents related to the graphic arts and advertising
companies. Railroad ephemera includes tariffs, a railroad bill of lading, a payment vucher and an ad for the 1969 centennial
celebration of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Three artifacts including two name tags and paint samples which have been transferred to the California State Railroad Museum's
artifact collection.
Biographical / Historical
Ronald G. Steiner was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1949. He was professionally a dentist but had a passion for photography from
a young age. In 1961, he founded S&S Graphic Arts, and in 1964 changed its name to Steiner Advertising and Arts. In 1969,
he became a partner in Short Line Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation that purchased, restored and operated historic
railroad equipment. Mr. Steiner received a degree in photography from Ohio State University in 1971 and by 1972 he was an
Army photographer stationed in Hawaii. For the next thirty-seven years, Steiner worked for the Department of Defense as a
Director for Arts and Crafts Programs in Hawaii and Japan. He was also involved with the Honolulu fine art photography community
and spent many years on the board of directors of the "Image Foundation", a non-profit Hawaii State funded organization. In
2003, he moved to Japan for five years and continued to work for the Department of Defense. Ronald G. Steiner has been in
both juried and individual exhibitions both in Hawaii and Japan and has also had his prints purchased by the state of Hawaii
and individual collectors.
Arrangement
The Ronald G. Steiner Collection contains five subseries:
Series 1: Short Line Enterprises (SLE)
Series 2: Steiner Advertising and Art (SAA)
Series 3: S+S Graphic Arts (SSGA)
Series 4: Personal Projects
Series 5: Railroad Ephemera
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Betty Steiner, 2015
Conditions Governing Use
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], Ronald G. Steiner Collection, MS 738, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento,
California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Baldwin Locomotive Works
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company
Postcards
Railroad -- Historical Societies
Railroads--United States--Freight cars
Sierra Railroad Company
Series 1: Short Line Enterprises (SLE)
1874- 2018
Arrangement
The Short Line Enterprises records have been arranged into 2 subseries:
1. Business records, 2. Photographs
Scope and Contents
This series includes select records of Short Line Enterprises (SLE) a California company in operation between 1967 and 1988,
that purchased, restored and operated historic railroad equipment and also provided research assistance relating to railroad
equipment restoration. Ronald Steiner was a partner in SLE.
Records include interior planning and equipment restoration reports and investigation documents for exhibition cars. Railroads
include the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad (ATSF), Sierra Railway, North Pacific Coast, Nevada Copper Belt, and the
Virginia & Truckee Railroad. There is also some restoration correspondence, pamphlets, handbooks, postcards, programs, and
ledgers. SLE correspondence concerns billing information and locomotive sales. Most of them are addressed to or written by
Ronald Steiner or refer to SLE.
SLE Photographs and negatives of equipment restored by Short Line Enterprises include interior and exterior images of dining
cars, porter's room, drover's cars, bunk, coach, restroom, storage, as well as coach and business cars. Negatives include
images from California Western, Colorado Silverton, Denver and Rio Grande Western, Southern Pacific, and Yosemite Valley railroads.
Additional records of Short Line Enterprises can be found in two collections: (MS 617) Short Line Enterprises Records and
the (MS 420) William Arthur Oden Collection. The Stephen E. Drew Railroad Equipmen Restoration Report Collection (MS 606)
includes information about restoration reports prepared for Short Line Enterprises by Mr. Drew.
Subseries 1: Business records
box 1, folder 1-7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway interior planning car furnishings, May 14, 1913-Feb. 20. 1958
box 1, folder 8
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway interior planning floor plans, Aug. 19, 1924- Jul. 1975
box 1, folder 9
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway lettering
box 1, folder 10-11
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway restoration feasibility investigation, circa 1984
box 1, folder 12-14
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #1 album (prints)
box 1, folder 15
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #2 album (prints)
box 1, folder 16
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #2 interior planning and car (prints), Feb. 1986
box 1, folder 17
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #3 exhibition car
box 1, folder 18-19
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #2 & #3 interior planning and exhibition cars restoration feasibility investigation, Nov.
1984
box 1, folder 20-22
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #132, Jan. 13, 1984- Nov. 5, 1985
box 1, folder 23
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #132 restoration report
box 1, folder 24
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #132 restoration report, Dec. 11, 1985- Aug. 23, 2018
box 1, folder 25
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #0911 drover's caboose Flow Chart
box 2, folder 1
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #0911 drover's caboose flow chart, May 9, 1986
box 2, folder 2
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway # 410 & #0911 interior planning floor plans, May 9, 1986
box 2, folder 3
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #410 & #D911 lettering/ stripping photographs, Nov. 7, 1985
box 2, folder 4
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #410 & #D911 interior planning book copies
box 2, folder 5
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #410 car
box 2, folder 6
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #410 car, Oct. 2, 1985- Mar. 3, 1986
box 2, folder 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #410 exterior
box 2, folder 8-13
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #410 interior planning
box 2, folder 14-18
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #410 interior planning, Mar. 20, 1909-May 19, 1986
box 2, folder 20-21
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #D911 coach
box 2, folder 22-27
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #D911 interior planning
box 2, folder 28-29
Baldwin Locomotive Works, Jan. 31, 1978- Sep. 30, 1985
box 2, folder 30
Baldwin Locomotive Works details of locomotives
box 2, folder 31-32
Baldwin Locomotive Works H, L Broadbelt orders, Feb. 4, 1977- Aug 21, 1986
box 2, folder 33
Baldwin Locomotive Works illustrated catalogue
box 2, folder 34
Baldwin Locomotive Works index, Sep. 1985- Feb. 1987
box 2, folder 35
Baldwin Locomotive Works locomotive engineering
box OV 1, folder 1
Baldwin Locomotive Works specifications
box 2, folder 36
Baldwin Locomotive Works specifications
box 2, folder 37
Baldwin Locomotive Works Stanford University libraries, Aug 1960- May 18, 1987
box 2, folder 38
Bill Doen and Stanley Garner restoration papers, Jul. 31, 1986
box 2, folder 39
California State Board of Equalization (CA SBE), Jun. 1979- Feb. 1989
box 3, folder 1-2
California State Railroad Museum combine car #1, Mar. 1967- Oct. 12, 1990
box 3, folder 3
California State Railroad Museum newspapers Apr. 29, 1981- May 3, 1981
box 3, folder 4
California State Railroad Museum Railfair 1981 fact sheets, Dec. 1980- May 10, 1981
box 3, folder 5
California State Railroad Museum Railfair 1981- official program, Apr. 1977- Jun. 10, 2013
box 3, folder 6-8
California State Railroad Museum restoration project, Feb. 1, 1977- Oct. 1984
box 3, folder 10
Correspondence, Sep. 28, 1969- Apr. 9, 1988
box 3, folder 11
Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad (D+R) #12, #14 Cars (3)+ comb. (prints)
box 3, folder 14
Financial summary, 1986- Jul. 10, 1997
box 3, folder 17
For rent 1891 steam locomotive
box 3, folder 18-19
History/ map project, circa 1967
box 3, folder 20
Interior planning SLE logo
box 3, folder 21
Interior planning The Carriage Painters Illustrated Manual
box 3, folder 22-23
Kansas Museum of History, 1985- Apr. 4, 1988
box 3, folder 24
Kansas Museum of History, Oct. 13, 1985- Apr. 4, 1988
box 3, folder 26
Library of Congress, Oct. 19, 1976- Mar. 1980
box 3, folder 27
Movie clips, Jun. 26, 1974- Jul. 8, 1974
box 3, folder 28
Movie contracts, Mar. 30, 1978- Mar. 27, 1982
box 3, folder 29
Movie trains pamphlets, handbooks, postcards, Mar. 18, 1983- Jun. 1992
box 3, folder 30-31
Nevada Copper Belt Railroad (NCB) #3 locomotive injectors, Aug. 1958- Dec. 31, 1980
box 3, folder 32
Newhall Railroad, May 1988
box 3, folder 33
Newhall Railroad project, Oct. 1984- Nov. 24, 1985, May 1988
box 3, folder 34-35
North Pacific Coast (NPC) #12 Sonoma, Feb. 1978- Jan. 2012
box 4, folder 1
Paint samples, Aug 5, 1985
box 4, folder 2-3
Promotional material, Jan. 21, 1975- Aug. 1987
box 4, folder 4
Pullman's "Commandant" and "Corydon", Apr. 27, 1995- Nov. 22, 2017
box 4, folder 5
Railroad artifacts jointly owned, Jul. 25, 1972- Nov. 12, 1991
box 4, folder 6
Railroad Artifacts, RGS owned, Feb. 27, 1971- Aug. 13, 1991
box 4, folder 7
Railroad Museum postcards, 1964-1972
box 4, folder 8
Railroad sketches, postcards, and pamphlets, 1971- Mar. 17, 1983
box 4, folder 9
Railroadiana dealers, Aug. 1972- Jun. 31, 1990
box 4, folder 10
Refrigerator and excursion car prints
box 4, folder 11
Restoration books/ articles, 1973- Apr. 21, 1979
box 4, folder 12
Restoration feasibility studies invoice, Oct. 1, 1986- Oct. 2, 1986
box 4, folder 15
SA-I business job numbers log, Nov. 25, 1977- Jan. 1987
box 4, folder 16
Sierra Railroad, Dec. 17, 1976- Oct. 8, 1981
box 4, folder 17
Sierra Railroad brochure, 1979
box 4, folder 18
Sierra Railroad handbooks, 1976- 1980
box 4, folder 19
Stephen Drew correspondence, May 20, 1950- Oct. 15, 1982
box 4, folder 20
TD Warehouse, Jun. 29, 1987
box 4, folder 21
Town/state brochures 1963- Aug. 29, 1969
box 4, folder 22-25
Virginia and Truckee Railroad equipment restoration feasibility investigation, Aug. 25, 1949- 1976
box 4, folder 26
Virginia & Truckee Railroad news, circa 2011
box 4, folder 27-28
Virginia & Truckee Railroad #8, Apr. 1977- Jul. 12, 2013
box 4, folder 29-32
Virginia & Truckee Railroad locomotive #12 Genoa projects, 1969- Jan. 2012
box 4, folder 33
Virginia & Truckee Railroad locomotive #13 Empire projects, 1968- Jan. 2012
box 4, folder 34-35
Virginia & Truckee Railroad combination car #16 , Mar. 8, 1965- Nov. 7, 2017
box 4, folder 36
Virginia & Truckee Railroad #16 combination car contract print
box 4, folder 37
Virginia & Truckee Railroad #16 restoration reports, Apr. 17, 1979- Jan. 23, 1981
box 4, folder 38
Virginia & Truckee Railroad #17 Bonanza 5" x 5" color prints, circa- Oct. 22, 2013
box 4, folder 39
Virginia & Truckee Railroad locomotive #21 W Bowker, Dec. 19, 1874- Jul. 12, 1950
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe business car #410 & drover's car D911 lettering/ stripping, Nov. 17, 1985
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe business car #410
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe business car #410 reject prints
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe business car #410 Steven Drew
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #413
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe drovers car #D911
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe drovers car #D911 bunk
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe drovers car #D911 storage/ restroom
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe album
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe dining car, porter's room
box 7
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe drovers cars
box 7
Bill Doen and Stanley Garner restoration
box 7
Business car, May 1971- 1986
box 7
Business car, Oct. 18, 1918- Feb. 28, 1953
box 7
California State Railroad Museum
box 7
California State Railroad Museum restoration project
box 7
Dardenelle and Russellville combination cars #12, #14
box 7
Last Frontier Village Las Vegas, Nevada, Mar. 1958
box 8
Miscellaneous photographs
box 8
Nevada Copper Belt motor car No. 21 "Yerington"
box 8
Pullman's "Commandant" + "Corydon"
box 8
Railroadiana dealers, Jun 31, 1970- May 12, 1959
box 8
Sierra, May 15, 1975- Dec. 1976
box 8
Southern Pacific "Shasta"
box 8
Virginia & Truckee locomotive #12 "Genoa", 1969- Jan. 2012
box 8
Virginia & Truckee locomotive #13 "Empire"
box 8
Virginia & Truckee #16 combination car
box 8
Virginia & Truckee locomotive #21 "JW Bowker", photos, Dec. 19, 1874- Jul. 12, 1950
Series 2: Steiner Advertising and Arts (SAA)
1961-1990
Scope and Contents
Steiner Advertising & Arts (SAA) was a company started by Mr. Steiner. It was originally called S+S Graphic Arts (SSGA). This
series includes art supply catalogs, artworks, advertising materials, cardboard illustration boards, and art catalogs. There
is a business file which includes correspondence and information regarding Steiner Advertising and Arts v. Fowler Nurseries,
Inc. Also included are prices of the services and the date they were provided. There are important notices for businesses
such as those from the Department of Health, business license renewal information, notices from the Department of Treasury,
such as internal revenue service and business tax affidavit notices. There are also State Board of Equalization notices regarding
an interest rate change, sales and tax regulations, notices regarding seller's permits, pending legislation, privileges, obligations
as a seller, and more.
box 5, folder 1
Art supply catalogs, 1961- 1986
box 5, folder 2
Art supply catalogs, 1961- 1986
box 5, folder 4
Artists works, Nov. 26, 1978-1985
box 5, folder 5
Artwork and advertising, Feb. 2, 1979- Jan. 8, 1985
box 5, folder 6
Business, Mar. 2, 1979- Jun. 30, 1987
box 5, folder 7
Business, Oct. 1, 1979- Sep. 13, 1990
box 5, folder 8
California State Board of Equalization (SBE), Feb. 22, 1980- Dec. 31, 1989
box 5, folder 9
Cardboard illustration board, undated
box 5, folder 10
Invoice, 1979- Jan. 17, 1989
Series 3: S+S Graphic Arts (SSGA)
1964- 2017
Scope and Contents
S+S Graphic Arts (SSGA) was the original name of Steiner Advertising and Arts. Material includes company letterheads and envelopes,
a partnership return of income, and an art service accounts book.
box 5, folder 11
Art service accounts columnar book, Nov. 25, 1964- Jul. 1, 1990
box 5, folder 12
Letterhead and envelopes, Undated
box 5, folder 13
Partnership return of income, 1977- Apr. 11, 2017
Series 4: Personal Projects
1953- 1988
Scope and Contents
The Ronald G Steiner personal project files contains material not directly related to Mr. Steiner's companies. Documents include
Ronald G. Steiner's personal resumes, the resumes of applicants for positions with Steiner's companies, railroad and museum
brochures, typebooks, information about a Lord of the Rings project, and drawings and postcards from the Viking Ship Museum.
box 5, folder 14
Graphic arts resumes, Jan. 8, 1986-Apr. 13, 1987
box 5, folder 15
Lord of the Rings project, Feb. 16, 1975
box 5, Folder 16-17
Printing, circa 1979-1984
box 5, Folder 18-22
Railroad and museum brochures, 1953-1973
box 5, folder 23
Resumes of Ronald G. Steiner, Jul. 31, 1980-Jun. 20, 1988
Series 5: Railroad Ephemera
1876-1969
Scope and Contents
The Railroad Ephemera files includes a Harbor Belt blank uniform bill of landing, a Mount Hood payment voucher, and a Union
Pacific Centennial brochure. There are also miscellaneous tariffs.
box 6, folder 1
Harbor Belt Line Railroad uniform straight bill of lading (blank)
box 6, folder 2
Miscellaneous tariffs, Nov. 2, 1876-Jun. 21, 1945
box 6, Folder 3
Mount Hood Railroad payment voucher, Dec. 1950-Aug. 3, 1964
box 5, folder 4
Union Pacific Railroad railroad centennial brochure, 1969
