Shelton Adjustable Double Deck Car Company Records, 1916 - 1928

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Summary

Title:
Shelton Adjustable Double Deck Car Company records
Dates:
1916 - 1928
Abstract:
The collection consists of the business records of the Shelton Adjustable Double Deck Car Company.
Extent:
1.333 Linear Feet 1 half box + 1 oversize box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Shelton Adjustable Double Deck Car Company Collection, MS 37, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of the business records of the Shelton Adjustable Double Deck Car Company, and includes the by-laws, minutes of the board of directors for the American and Canadian firms, stock sales books and patents information. There are also miscellaneous letters, stock transfer records and advertising materials.

In addition, researchers will find photographs of the device in the Museum's photograph files and drawings in the drawings collection. Wood and brass advertising models of the adjustable car decks are located in the Museum's artifact collections.

Biographical / historical:

The Shelton Adjustable Double Deck Car Company was organized in 1916 to manufacture and market a device invented by John B. Shelton for a movable deck to be installed in railroad box, refrigerator and stock cars. The officers of the company included Shelton as president and Guy V. Fleming as secretary. Offices were in San Francisco. A Canadian subsidiary also was established in 1919.

Over the years the company succeeded in installing adjustable car decks for test purposes on a number of railroads, including the Southern Pacific, Nevada-California-Oregon, Northwestern Pacific, Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, and Chicago and Alton. None of the railroads however, ordered the devices. The company encountered financial difficulties in the 1920s, and in 1924 A. R. T. Lackie replaced Shelton as president. Further attempts were made to interest railroads in the adjustable car decks, but with little success. It appears as though the company ceased operation by the 1930s.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Donald R. Fleming, 1989
Arrangement:

Arranged by type of material.

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

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Library Archives staff
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-03-06 22:12:20 +0000 .

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], Shelton Adjustable Double Deck Car Company Collection, MS 37, 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