I have been contacted by someone who has a unique collection of archival material from a Washington D.C. area railroad. What organizations in the area have permanent archives? This person donated several items to a local museum only to have them promptly "disappear". All leads greatly appreciated.

National Capital Trolley Museum for street railway material. B&O Railroad museum for B&O and connections like Chesapeake Beach Railway. Western Maryland Historical Society in Union Bridge for WM. Or, possibly, any of a number of good county historical societies.Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss the options back channel.

If the collection in question relates to MARYLAND railroading, I can make a case for the Maryland Rail Heritage Library at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum on Falls Road in Baltimore.The MRHL is a joint project of the Baltimore Streetcar Museum and the Baltimore Chapter NRHS. Its focus is split between heavy rail (the Baltimore NRHS) and Baltimore/Maryland/regional transit (the BSM). Almost anything with two rails in Maryland, and to a limited extent surrounding states, qualifies for inclusion in this directory .I would appreciate hearing more detail about your project in terms of whether it fits within the parameters of the MRHL. Please feel free to give me an e-mail at LNER4472--at--bcpl dot net. If we ourselves are not interested, we will be happy to locate and contact a more appropriate venue or location.Alexander D. Mitchell IV

Erik mentions:>B&O Railroad museum for ... connections like Chesapeake Beach RailwayIn the unlikely event of material about the Chesapeake Beach Rwy, it's successor the East Washington Rwy, or the little known North Beach Trolley, the Chesapeake Beach Rwy Museum in Chesapeake Beach, MD would be worth consideration.http://www.cbrm.org

Add to areas of interest for National Capital Trolley Museum the Washington & Old Dominion.Wesley

I would suggest contacting regional universities to see if they have archives or a library special collections. Likewise, it may be worthwhile to investigate if any of the states maintain archives. University and state archives employ full time staff trained in archive management and conservation. Tom Cornillie

Our local institutions in the metro DC area do not maintain special collections for railroads. They will collect selected titles that enhance local history collections. Otherwise the stuff gets lost in the stacks.Wesley

I think it depends on how you present the items. If you simply say that these are the records of XYZ railroad - that does not convey a broader significance to those not aware of railroad history. However, if you say that these are the records of XYZ railroad which was instrumental in developing X and Y town between ### years, employed ### workers, etc. etc. etc. Spelling everything out really does help. I can also suggest the University of Michigan's Transportation History Collection. They have a diverse collection of national and international transportation items - and they do a good job in conserving their collections.http://www.lib.umich.edu/spec-coll/Please let me know if this is of interest and I can put you in contact with the decision makers there.Tom Cornillie

In case the anonymous railroad happens to be the Washington & Old Dominion, probably the best spot is the collection that the former W&OD RR Regional Park manager Paul McCray has put together at the park's headquarters. This includes a large amount of original documents, many photos, oral histories from ex-employees, correspondence of former managers, hardware, and numerous other items. It is by far the most comprehensive archive for this railroad. Paul has since been promoted, but is still actively acquiring material. Hecan be reached at the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, 5400 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station, VA 22039; 703-352-5900.Herb Harwood

Thanks for all of the on-list and off-list suggestions. They have been very helpful. I will follow up on these suggestions (along with any others you may have) and present them to the owner. I'll keep everyone posted.