Finding Train and Travel Records

[JC Jones]

I am posting an open question to anyone who might be able to help.  I am looking to track down some train and travel records for the late 1920's and early 1930's.

If anyone can point me in the right direction I would be very much appreciative.  Thanks.

[Phil_the_Author]

Where did this traveling occur? Was it international? (e.g. - Buffalo to Montreal)

[JC Jones]

Phil,

It occurred to and from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

[Jeff_Brauer]

JC,

There are numerous vendors who sell old time tables.  Buy a copy of Trains or Railfan and Railroad magazine and look at the ads to develop a nice list.  Or just Google "railroad timetables (XXX railroad)" and you will probably get a nice list as well, narrowed down to those railroads that served Grand Rapids.

I doubt that individual ticket records exist.  If they do, they might be in university collections that you might have to go see personally as they are not digitized.

[Phil_the_Author]

JC,

Is the specific situation you are interested in involving international travel to Canada? Where exactly is the other end from Grand Rapids.

[Brad Klein]

In the case of two books I relied upon various train records. For the Ross biography, I had access to Ross' own notes and travel logs via telegrams as well as ticket stubs and letters mentioning train times. I also went back to look at train routes.

With the Sebonack book, we used Long Island Rail Road records, maps, timetables, posters.

It's amazing how having that stuff in your hands helps you appreciate the conditions under which they worked.

[John_Cullum]

I would love to know how this is going to get you access to Pine Valley

[JC Jones]

JC,

Is the specific situation you are interested in involving international travel to Canada? Where exactly is the other end from Grand Rapids.

The other end is Chicago.  I'm looking at Chicago to Grand Rapids and back again.

I am currently trying to figure out what lines were operating passenger trains on that route during that time period.

[JC Jones]

I would love to know how this is going to get you access to Pine Valley

This is but a small piece in the big puzzle.  It will all unfold in time, don't you worry.

[Jeff_Brauer]

JC,

I will just reiterate that this info is readily available.  The most likely road between the two cities was the Pere Marquette.  Michigan Central, Pennsylvania and Grand Trunk may also have had service.

[JC Jones]

JC,

I will just reiterate that this info is readily available.  The most likely road between the two cities was the Pere Marquette.  Michigan Central, Pennsylvania and Grand Trunk may also have had service.

Good deal.  Thanks for your help.

[Jeff_Brauer]

For starters, try this site

http://www.michiganrailroads.com/RRHX/Miscellaneous/KalamazooSeven.htm

[JC Jones]

I have been told by the head of the Pere Marquette Railroad Historical Society that there are no passenger logs prior to the 1940's.

[David Lott]

Very likely it was the Pere Marquette RR, which was merged into Chesapeake in the 1940's. You might call CHX to see if they have anything. The University of Michigan and Michigan State libraries may have info. It could be indexed and cataloged in areas that don't immediately have RR history in mind. It's also amazing what you sometimes find at the Smithsonian.

Chicago or Grand Rapids newspapers will be available at libraries and may have info.

Keep scanning the internet for old Pere Marquette schedules.

Try old ICC records (they must be somewhere) and see if Michigan had a railroad regulatory body at the time you are interested in.

Figure out who owned Pere Marquette at the time. They may have been rich and famous and have papers collected at some library or other.

Look on Lexis or Westlaw for info about Pere Marquette. Unlikely to have the schedules but there may be clues as to how to find them.

I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that the info you seek is out there. But it's probably not indexed so neatly that it will fall into your lap.