Walt Whitman PBS documentary - research assistance

From: "Sierra Pettengill" sierra@hhpgroup.com

My name is Sierra Pettengill, and I am currently working on a PBS documentary on Walt Whitman for the "American Experience" history series.

Whitman lived in Camden from 1873 until his death in 1892. He wrote about the Camden and Amboy Railroad:

"The trains of the Camden & Amboy are going by on the track about 50 or 60 rods from here, puffing & blowing – often train after train, following each other – following each other – & locomotives singly, whisking & squealing, up the track & then down again – I often sit and watch them long ... "

We are trying to find some images to illustrate the Camden part of our documentary, and would love to include some Camden & Amboy photographs – either of the Camden station, or the train yards, or the trains themselves. I was hoping that you might have some photographs that would be helpful, or could suggest some possible resources I should contact. ...

Sierra Pettengill
Associate Producer

HiddenHill Productions
432 West 45th Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10036

Vert-a-Pac auto rack freight car design

From: "Thomas E. Johnson" tom_johnson_ttci_aar@yahoo.com
Subject: Request for Assistance

Hello from Colorado, My name is Tom Johnson, a mechanical engineer working for the railroad industry and currently performing historical research on the Vert-a-Pac auto rack freight car design.

Your museum website FAQ section references the CPRR shops being the site of Vert-a-Pac prototype fabrication and development beginning in the mid 1960's time period.

Can you please check your ... archives to determine if any records and drawings related to Vert-a-Pac may still be available?

Thank you for your assistance from TTCI

Thomas E. Johnson
Associate Test Engineer
Transportation Technology Center, Inc.
55500 DOT Road, P.O. Box 11130
Pueblo, CO 81001

Photo tour of the Old Grade

From: "Chris Graves" caliron@att.net

Our good friend, Shen-Chih Cheng (Sam!) has completed his photographic work  re: the CPRR on the Sierra Nevada.  The leadership of the CSRM has seen the results of that work, and have expressed an interest in displaying his photos in the CSRM.

In mid-September, 2007 (NEXT MONTH!) Sam has retained me for the last leg of his photo work, this from Toano, Nev. to Promontory Summit, Utah.  (Last year Sam completed his photo work in the Pequops, so thankfully, we can leave that dusty area to its own quiet loneliness)

This last effort is expected to take 4 days.

If any of the bloggers would like to join in this journey, you would be most welcome.

A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE IS A MUST. The old grade is littered with relics from 1869 thru the 1940's, spikes in tires are the norm, as are nails, chunks of iron/steel and broken glass.  Should you decide to join us, please plan accordingly.

While Sam and I will be moteling it, others are welcome to camp out.

We will be stopping in Nevada to see: the old grade East of Reno, the old grade East of Battle Mtn., the old grade East of Beowawe, the old grade West of Palisade, the old grade East of Elko, and other garden spots yet un-named.  We expect to overnite in Elko or Wendover, then overnite in Brigham City.

Those interested can reach me at 916 663 3742.  There is NO CHARGE for this service.

G J Chris Graves
NewCastle, AltaCal'a
Winter's Summer Garden