OERM’s archives are a natural adjunct to its collection of rail vehicles, consisting of materials documenting North American railroads, with specific focus on the companies which served the Western United States. Like our railcar collection, the contents of our archives also reflect our focused interest in the railroads of Southern California. The Museum’s Collection Policy defines five “focus companies”; the major railroads and transit companies which served Southern California; the Pacific Electric, Los Angeles Railway, Santa Fe, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, as well as predecessor and related companies.

In addition to printed materials and photographs, our archives also contain many small "three-dimensional objects" (a.k.a. “railroadiana”). All materials have been collected to support research, collection documentation, and exhibition/interpretation at the Museum. In these roles they will help us to fulfill our mission statement  “…to educate the public on the technology, history, and impact of the rail transportation industry in the West….” OERM's archives are currently housed in several locations around our Museum site and are available for viewing by appointment. Contact the Vice President, Collections for additional details.

Computer rendering of OERM's new Library Building. Rendering by Mountain Architecture

A permanent Library Building is now in the fundraising and design stages. A dedicated Library facility has long been recognized as an important step in the Museum's development. In December 2007, the Museum announced plans for the new facility via its year-end appeal. Click here for a pdf file on the Library Building project. Contact project manager Corey Wylde for additional information about the ongoing capital campaign, including associated naming opportunities. 

Collections-  Click here to view some collection highlights

  Projects- OERM's library volunteers are never wanting for projects. In addition to ongoing cataloging activities, some of our current projects include:

The OERM Library and Archives Building project was approved by the Museum's Board of Directors in late 2007 and is now in the fundraising and design stages. Click here for a pdf file on the Library Building project.

The large ERHA/SC - Ray Younghans Collection is being organized and inventoried.

An ongoing program of book reprints- Our latest reprint is "Work of the Railway Carman", a classic text on railway car repair and working conditions circa 1921, click here for a pdf press release. Other OERM reprints in recent years include the "Pacific Electric Corporate History 1885-1911" reprinted from an original in the John McFadden Collection, and "Railway Car Construction 1892" reprinted from an original in the Ward Kimball Collection. Additional reprint projects are also in the planning stages, and photographs from the Museum's collection are used each year in the annual Red Cars / Yellow Cars color calendar. 

Updating displays in the Middleton Museum. The entire collection has been inventoried, and display cases are now receiving makeovers. In 2006, the Bill Everett Trolley Model collection made its appearance in the Middleton Museum. 

Library & Archives Wish List- the Museum is always searching for additional items to add to its collections. Please take a moment to view the Library & Archives Wish List.

LA&SL Railway Depot, Long Beach, the architectural inspiration for OERM's new Library Building

This page was last updated on 2/26/08