Ancient Chicago & North Western and Boston & Albany 4-4-0s (the latter missing a tender), when still kept in open storage at the Museum of Transport (1960s). Both came from the Purdue University collection, which was begun about 1900 and given to St. Louis in 1951.

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?o ... NW_274.jpg

Back some years ago, I acquired a number of paper items from a gentleman who was living in St. Louis at the time. Some of the items were pretty average (air brake instruction books, etc.). One of the most interesting items (perhaps the most interesting) was an original cover letter that accompanied a pardon for a Mr. William Whitten. Mr. Whitten was the first station agent to be assigned to Tunnel Hill, Georgia by the Western and Atlantic Railroad of the State of Georgia, starting in late 1852 or early 1853. He held that position until 1872, except for a three year period (1863-66) as he was arrested by federal authorities on account of being sympathetic to the Confederate States of America. His pardon was not granted until the fall of 1866 and as such, he was not eligible to be employed by the railroad as it was operated as a state entity until 1870. Included in a later deal was a portrait of Mr. Whitten, taken sometime after the war.

Other paper items that were of specific interest were two United States Military Telegraph Service messages, the contents of which I do not remember, save that the dates and locations were very clearly indicated on the messages (both sending and receiving locations). Another item that raised interest was an unusual railroad pass (one of two acquired). This pass was issued by the United States Military Railroads of Virginia during the month of March 1865. Evidently the pass was used as all spaces were filled out. Unfortunately, the names of the individual to whom the pass was issued and the authorizing signature are unreadable. The space for the first station name reads simply "Over Roads" and the last station name is left out, only a dash in the space. This leads me to believe that that solider was traveling for one of two reasons-he was either being transferred or discharged. So far, this is the only United States Military Railroad pass that I have ever seen. Has anyone else out there seen or know of other such passes?