I have been charged with the task of assembling a bibliography on the archaeology of railroading.

More specifically, I have to come up with a bibliographic list of reports, essays, articles, books, etc., on archaeological research, surveys, and excavations that have taken place at railroad and railroad-related sites, on railroad equipment, and in and around buildings ranging from logging camp structures to section houses to roundhouses.

Anybody read anything, good or bad, lately? Anybody had to do or contract any such work at their own museums?
I'm not sure where to start on this one, or who to ask.
I have a couple of articles already in mind, but not nearly enough to meet the requirements of the assignment.
May or may not eventually be published.
Any information will be appreciated.
Dave V.

davago@mtu.edu

Bibliographic information is available through a number of library sources. There are a number of search engines out there that allow access and downloading of all sorts of bibliographic information. In the National Park Service we have a bibliographic or library program called ProCite. We can manually enter data on publications or see if a broad spectrum of libraries have the same publication and we can download the information into our system, something we call "copy cataloging".

My position is historian/archivist/librarian/whatever I happen to be doing at the time. I know what we have and its capabilities, and that libraries have access to this information. Bottom line, talk to a real librarian, not just a volunteer behind the desk, but one with library science background.

Pat McKnight
Historian, Steamtown NHS

pat_mcknight@nps.gov

> I have been charged with the task of
> assembling a bibliography on the archaeology
> of railroading.

Do you even know what archaeology is? Your use of the word, and it's context in your request for information suggests you don't.

Archaeology is the study of past peoples and civilizations through examination of the material they left behind. It is not about heading for a field, wood, old town site, etc. with a metal detector and a shovel. Real archaeologists call that "looting".

There is a field of study called "Industrial Archeaology" but it is really historic preservation... which is what I suspect you're actually referring to. If you Google with these three words, "Industrial archaeology railroad", you'll get some interesting hits that may be what you're looking for.

blackriver@nowhere.com

Although I do not claim to be an expert, I am presently working on a master's degree in archaeology. I am aware of the differences between an archaeologist and, say, a souvenir hunter. Forgive me if I implied for a second that I condone looting. I do not think that I did.

I am well aware of the term "industrial archaeology", and it does not simply refer to historic preservation. The Society for Industrial Archaeology includes advocacy for preservation as a part of its mission, but the term as it has been coined in the United States and abroad is much more general. Graduates of industrial archaeology programs generally are trained to be archaeologists above all else, and programs usually include training in fieldwork and ethics, in addition to industrial history.

What I am looking for is reports prepared by archaeologists (real, professionally-trained ones) on subjects that relate to railroads. This might include ethnographic studies of the people who lived in a railroad community, or it might include an analysis of the coal samples that archaeologists uncovered in an excavation at the site of a demolished coaling tower. I really don't know what has already been done, but that's the whole reason I am looking for this information in the first place.

If the phrase "archaeology of railroading" bothers anyone, I welcome suggestions for a better phrase. As it stands, that one was given to my by a professor who is and has been for quite some time a practicing, professional archaeologist.

Thanks for your pointer, though, that combination of words for a google search had not occurred to me.

Best wishes,
David A. Vago

> Do you even know what archaeology is? Your
> use of the word, and it's context in your
> request for information suggests you don't.

> Archaeology is the study of past peoples and
> civilizations through examination of the
> material they left behind. It is not about
> heading for a field, wood, old town site,
> etc. with a metal detector and a shovel.
> Real archaeologists call that
> "looting".

> There is a field of study called
> "Industrial Archeaology" but it is
> really historic preservation... which is
> what I suspect you're actually referring to.
> If you Google with these three words,
> "Industrial archaeology railroad",
> you'll get some interesting hits that may be
> what you're looking for.


davago@mtu.edu

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to contact the archivist here. I had kind of assumed that most work on railroad sites would be unpublished, so I thought I'd check amongst the people on this board who know historic railway sites the best if they might have some leads. I'll have to see if the librarians on campus can help.
Take care.
Dave V.

> Bibliographic information is available
> through a number of library sources. There
> are a number of search engines out there
> that allow access and downloading of all
> sorts of bibliographic information. In the
> National Park Service we have a
> bibliographic or library program called
> ProCite. We can manually enter data on
> publications or see if a broad spectrum of
> libraries have the same publication and we
> can download the information into our
> system, something we call "copy
> cataloging".

> My position is
> historian/archivist/librarian/whatever I
> happen to be doing at the time. I know what
> we have and its capabilities, and that
> libraries have access to this information.
> Bottom line, talk to a real librarian, not
> just a volunteer behind the desk, but one
> with library science background.

> Pat McKnight
> Historian, Steamtown NHS


davago@mtu.edu

Have you tried any of the online databases such as J-STOR? These contain full-text journals in many fields. If archeology isn't included, there should be an equilivent database. They've been very helpful for the 'ole M.A. thesis that I am pounding away on.

david.wilkins@bardstown.com

A couple of resources which may be useful:

http://www.westword.com/issues/2001-07- ... index.html

Published article about the activities of Denver railfan Richard Boulware who rediscovered the smelter/railroad town of Saxonia.
-------------------------------

http://www.sia
web.org/chapters/knight/whoweare.html

Local chapter of the Society for Industrial Archeology. This chapter seems to be supported by the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources who performed excavation of an abandoned Carter Bros. flat car - Former WSL Co. if I recall correctly. A SPCRR member wrote a good piece on the dig, published on the internet. Can't locate the article just now, but could probably be had by contacting them.

An interesting project...best of luck
J



jeff_acock@hotmail.com

Black River, I think you are mistaken in your enthusiasm to be politically correct. Archaeology is the documentation, recovery, and preservation of artifacts. Provided that the artifacts are properly cleaned, treated, and preserved, recovery is an essential part of preserving something that people want to study, learn about, or merely admire. Where professionals disagree usually surrounds the nature of the site where recovery takes place. In example, the bones of Champlain's crew were recovered and studied in Maine, this past year. They were reinterred in the same graves after being studied for traces of scurvy and buriel practice. When archaeologists went to the "Titanic", making sure nothing was recovered was one of Ballard's commandments. Here, Ballard and I disagree, as do so many others. The artifacts are thought provoking and offers the modern world a glimpse into the events surrounding the disaster. Looting implies removing material without documentation, simply to possess or destroy the artifact. In looting, documented context is always the least of goals.

Insofar as railroad preservation is concerned, recovery of buried and sunken locomotives is desireable, provided that a legitimate preservation scheme is effected. Painting up a 20th century industrial switcher as a western frontier locomotive could possibly be termed as looting. Cutting a loco in half to show it's parts might be looting. Dragging air compressors out of a filled in turntable pit is not.

RDG


glueck@maine.edu

The U.S. Forest Service runs different archaeology projects under "Passport in Time". One such project this year is the documentation of logging/mining railroads in the area south of Grand Canyon.Look up PIT and follow "New Projects" for Arizona. Enjoy.

retsquid@tvec.net

> Although I do not claim to be an expert, I
> am presently working on a master's degree in
> archaeology. I am aware of the differences
> between an archaeologist and, say, a
> souvenir hunter. Forgive me if I implied for
> a second that I condone looting. I do not
> think that I did.

My apologies David. I've read posts (mostly on usenet and some other boards) from "railroad archaeologists" who were nothing more than as you say, souvenier hunters... or worse.

More often than not, their treasure winds up in the basement or garage, undocumented and without provenience. Sooner or later it winds up on ebay, or a relative throws it out thinking it's just a piece of junk.

Archaeology can certainly lend the rail historian techniques for investigating a site. If you're interested in a specific area (or have a site identified), local and state historical societies are excellent resources. Make friends with local history enthusiasts and don't be a afraid of antique stores, old photos often turn up in them.

Good luck with your research. 20 something years ago, I debated whether to follow my passion and interest in history (and archaeology), or to pursue a "technical" degree. I chose "employability". To this day, I'm not sure I made the right choice or not.

blackriver@nowhere.com

> More specifically, I have to come up with a
> bibliographic list of reports, essays,
> articles, books, etc., on archaeological
> research, surveys, and excavations that have
> taken place at railroad and railroad-related
> sites, on railroad equipment, and in and
> around buildings ranging from logging camp
> structures to section houses to roundhouses.

If you are wondering how a study is done and written up about a railroad car or locomotive -- history, condition report, restoration recommendations -- there are examples. I am aware of the following:

California State Railroad Museum has done reports begining with the initial restoration. My understanding is that copies can be obtained from the CSRM Library. These are "as-requested" copies; so I would ask for a list of what is available and then make some specific requests.

Nevada State Railroad Museum reports have in the past been reproduced and offered by its friends organziation as a fund raising project. I am aware of the following: "Nine selected cars" were doucmented back in 1981, the "Glenbrook" [3-foot gauge 2-6-0] in 1982, the V&T Brill coaches in March 1987, V&T McKeen car om 1997.

Additionally I would look for reports done by the NPS or the Forest Service regarding sites and artifacts. I understand that about 12-15 years ago a site study was done of the Cimmeron station site on the old D&RGW narrow gauge and that subsequently some recreations were made there. Also for form and scope I would for reports done on various kinds of vessels and also historic structures of any kind.

Brian Norden

bnorden49@earthlink.net

Did you happen to get a copy of the Rutsch report from CHS? He investigated the roundhouse and the depot in Savannah in the early 70's.

In the past few years, the Norfolk & Western Historical Society has carried several articles by members about what seems to fit your definition of railroad archeology. For example, in one article, several members resolved issues about the location and size of the Virginian Railway's long-gone Page, WV, roundhouse.

In a more recent publication, two N&WHS members went in search of, and found, long-abandoned tunnel entrances. Also located and photographed were the remains of supporting buildings and other structures.

In both articles, the findings were related to period photos. In both instances, the reporting was thorough while not being stuffy, provided new perspectives, and detailed enough to help interpret the area for anyone who might return. In fact, these articles were plain old "good reads" -- well written, telling of a challenging expedition and interesting results.

I suspect other railroad historical and technical society publications may have carried similar gems over the years. Best wishes.

Dr. Art Miller

PS: If you come to Chattanooga, there are some "sites" at TVRM that might merit some learned and scientific excavation. You will just have to put up with a steam engine passing by every 35 minutes or so.

amiller@rtms-movietrains.com

An archeological dig was performed on the site of the old Rogers Locomotive Works site in Paterson, NJ in the 1970s. One of the archeologists told me that were intrigued to find literally hundreds of files on the site. It turned out that the machinists and mechanics used the files to sharpen their tools.

> The U.S. Forest Service runs different
> archaeology projects under "Passport in
> Time". One such project this year is
> the documentation of logging/mining
> railroads in the area south of Grand
> Canyon.Look up PIT and follow "New
> Projects" for Arizona. Enjoy.