Southwest Railway Library

One of the finest gems of the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association is our Southwest Railway Library (SRL).  Known by many as one of the most extensive private collections of railroad-related documents, the SRL is home to myriad items of interest to any railroad enthusiast or researcher.

The SRL is located at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, CA and is open to the public by appointment only.  Regular operating hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am – 5pm.  To schedule an appointment, please visit the Contact Us page and send us a message with “Library Appointment” in the subject line.

Summary of the Holdings of the Southwest Railway Library

A non-exhaustive list of the items housed in the SRL.  Last updated December of 2015. All items are cataloged using Past Perfect version 4. Books are filed using a modified Dewey Decimal system.

Railroad-Related Books

Collection includes books on the following topics/genres:

  • Biographies
  • Catalogs
  • Engineering
  • Fiction
  • Local, State, and Federal Government Reports
  • Travel
  • Studies of Railroad Companies
  • General Histories
  • Journals of Historical Societies
  • Technical Works
  • Assorted Others

Collection contains approximately 9,000 volumes

Official Railway Guides from 1900 – Present

Published monthly.  Include detailed freight and passenger time tables and maps of all US railroads.  Over 360 volumes in the collection

Magazines from 1890s – Present

Topic covered include (for both US and Foreign railroads):

  • Hobby
  • Historic
  • Railroad Corporate

Collection contained in more than 190 clamshell-style boxes

Records of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway

Primarily business records and customer files of the San Diego District from the 1950s – 1970s.  Collection contained in 66 archival storage boxes

Records of the San Diego and Arizona (Eastern) Railway

This extensive collection includes, but is not limited to:

  • Departmental Correspondence
  • Roadmaster’s Files
  • Accident Reports
  • All Invoices
  • Time Slips
  • Employment Records
  • ICC Valuations
  • Contracts
  • Deeds
  • Construction Records
  • Work Orders
  • Diaries of the Timekeeper

Collection contained in 520 archival boxes

Maps of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway

Primarily from the Fourth District (San Diego to Los Angeles).

Collection also contains:

  • Maps of the Fallbrook and Escondido Districts
  • Exhibit Prints
    • Bound, Detailed Maps of the following in the Fourth District:
      • Spurs
      • Sidings
      • Easements

Collection contained in 63 map storage boxes (each containing 1-12 maps) and 4 linear feet on shelves

Maps of the San Diego and Arizona (Eastern) Railway

This extensive collection includes, but is not limited to:

  • Surveys
  • ICC Valuations
  • Exhibit Prints
  • Construction Profiles
  • Maps of the Tijuana and Tecate Railway (the 44 miles of the line that runs through Mexico)
  • Station Plats

Collection contained in 127 map storage boxes (each containing 1-12 maps) and several small, flat maps

Civil and Miscellaneous Railroad Maps (1854 – Present)

Collection includes:

  • Local Easements
  • Industrial Parks
  • USGS Quads
  • Highway Maps
  • US State Maps
  • Railroad System Maps including:
    • Local Short Line Railroads
    • San Diego Trolley System

Collection contained in 104 map storage boxes (each containing 1-12 maps)

Blueprints

Collection includes blueprints of:

  • Locomotives
  • Rolling Stock
  • Signal Systems
  • Buildings
  • Structures
    • Includes AAR Common Standards Drawings

Timetables (Passenger and Employee)

From all US and some Foreign Railroads.  Collection contained in 210 clamshell-style boxes

San Diego and Arizona (Eastern) Railway Customs and Duties Records

Collection contained in 210 clamshell-style boxes

Visual Media

Collection includes photographs and slides of various railroad subjects (including scrapbooks) of US and Foreign railroads (Several major collections are contained within).  Collection contained in 10 filing cabinets.

Video Media

Film, VHS Tapes and DVDs of the following:

  • Motion Pictures
  • Serials
  • Commercials
  • Documentaries
  • News Reports
  • Travel
  • Training Films
  • Promotional

Collection contained in roughly 48 linear feet on shelves

Audio Media

Phonographic records of train operations (1930s and newer) and oral interviews.  Collection contained in roughly 6 linear feet on shelves

Railroad Art

Collection contains:

  • Calendars
  • Paintings
  • Sculpture
  • Posters

Train Registers

Of various local railroads and the Southern Pacific Railroad in California

Ephemera/Paper Files of Miscellaneous Subjects

Collection includes (from around the world):

  • News Clippings
  • Magazine Articles
  • Postcards
  • Passes
  • Tickets
  • Railroad and Manufacturers Advertisements

Collection contained in 5 filing cabinets, plus 20 linear feet on shelves

Small Artifacts

Collection includes:

  • Badges
  • Uniforms
  • Tools
  • Dining Car Furnishings
  • Car and Locomotive Parts
  • Railroadiana Collectibles
  • Toys

Online Collection

Collection includes:

  • Back Issues of the PSRMA’s Report and Hot Scoop Newsletters
  • Back Issues of the RHSSD Dispatcher Newsletter
  • Miscellaneous Railroad Histories and Photos

Available on this website at various locations within psrm.org