Erie Lackawanna Railway Company Records

Collection Number: 5013

Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library

This collection was processed with the help of generous funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:

Erie Lackawanna Railway Company Records, 1903-1966

Collection Number:

5013

Creator:

Erie Lackawanna Railway Company (EL);
Erie Railroad Company (ERIE);
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&;
W)

Quantity:

1.5 linear ft.

Forms of Material:

Records (documents).

Repository:

Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library

Abstract:

Reports and publications generated or collected by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Company. Includes records from both the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company and the Erie Railroad, the two predecessor railroad companies that formed the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Company.

Language:

Collection material in English

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

The Erie Lackawanna Railway [EL], known as the Erie Lackawanna Railroad until 1968, was formed from the 1960 merger of the Erie Railroad and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. The two railroads merged because of a loss of income that occurred because of declining passenger traffic, lower freight shipments because of the decline of coal in western Pennsylvania, and the damage caused to track systems by Hurricane Diane in 1956.

The Interstate Commerce Commission approved the merger on September 13, 1960, and on October 17 the Erie Railroad and Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad merged to form the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad. For the previous four years, the two lines had already begun consolidating their assets, particularly their facilities on the Hudson River waterfront and their trackage through southern New York State. After the merger, the EL did manage to regain profitability in the late 1960s.

The Erie Lackawanna Railway, as opposed to "railroad," was formed March 1, 1968 as a subsidiary of the Norfolk and Western Railway [NW], which had purchased the EL. Due to a combination of the continuing decline in railroad traffic, both passenger and freight, and the major losses suffered by the railway during Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the EL was forced to declare bankruptcy. Although the company initially resisted joining the consolidation of eastern rail lines by the federal government, it was eventually forced to change its position due to the fincial burdens caused by the oil shortages of the early 1970s. In 1976, the EL was able to successfully petition the federal governement and join the ConRail system.

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Inclusive date range: 1903-1966

Bulk dates: 1909-1956

This collection consists of records from the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Company. The majority of the records pre-date the founding of the EL, and as such offer more information on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company and the Erie Railroad. Of particular interest are the numerous personnel directories for both railroad companies, which contain the names of employees, their positions, their addresses and telephone numbers. Guides to stations served by both railroad systems provide a comprehensive view of the regions served by both railroads. Additionally, the annual reports include promotional pictures, some of which document damage to the systems, locomotives used by both systems, and company headquarters.

There is also documentation concerning the regulation of the railroad industry during World War II by the War Manpower Commission. Additionally, there are records addressing general regulations on the railroads in areas such as wages and interstate commerce. Finally, there are records of meetings with the United States Railroad Labor Boards regarding the national agreements regarding rules and working conditions.

PROCESSING INFORMATION:

Some of the pamphlets and booklets are very fragile and require careful handling.

SUBJECTS

Names:

Erie Lackawanna Railway Company.

Erie Railroad Company

Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company

ConRail

Subjects:

Railroads

Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Company. Archives.

Form and Genre Terms:

Records (documents)

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Access Restrictions:

Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference archivist for access to these materials.

Restrictions on Use:

This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and Procedures for Document Use.

Cite As:

Erie Lackawanna Railway Company Records #5013. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.

RELATED MATERIALS

CONTAINER LIST

Container		Description	Date
Box 1	Folder 1	War Manpower Commission Stabilization Plans, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board [folder 1 of 3]	1943
Box 1	Folder 2	War Manpower Commission Stabilization Plans, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board. [folder 2 of 3]	1943
		Format: Publication
Box 1	Folder 3	War Manpower Commission Stabilization Plans, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board [folder 3 of 3]	1943
		Format: Publication
Box 1	Folder 4	Erie Railroad Company Reorganization, Interstate Commerce Commission	1941
		Format: Publication
Box 1	Folder 5	American Railroads Their Growth and Development, Association of American Railroads	1956
		Format: Publication
Box 1	Folder 6	Rules for Reporting Information on Railroad Employees with A Classification and Index of Steam Railroad Occupations	1921
		Format: Publication
		United States Railroad Labor Board. Wage Series, Report No. 2
Box 1	Folder 7	Erie Railroad Company Hand Book and Yearbook	1922-1956
Box 1	Folder 7	Item 1: Erie Railroad Company New York Terminal Region Handbook	1922
		Format: Pamphlet
		Handbook of Special Instructions and Condensed Bulletins, in effect February 1, 1922. Signature of A. J. Schilling on cover.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 1	Folder 7	Item 2: Yearbook of Railroad Information, 1956 Edition	1956
		Format: Pamphlet

Box 1	Folder 8	List of Station Names and Numbers, Erie Railroad Company, Baggage Department	1916
		Format: Publication
		May 1 1916. Signature of A. J. Schilling on cover. Booklet is annotated with updates to station names and notes on agents at stations.
Box 2	Folder 1	Lackawanna Railroad List of Officers, Station Agents, Etc.	1908
		Format: Publication
		October 1st, 1908.
Box 2	Folder 2	Lackawanna Railroad pamphlets	1934-1935
Box 2	Folder 2	Item 1: The Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co. Pamphlet	1934
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment and Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; First Aid to the Injured; Residence Address and Telephone Directory. June 1, 1934
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 2	Item 2: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co. Pamphlet	1935
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment and Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; First Aid to the Injured; Residence Address and Telephone Directory. July 1, 1935
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 3	Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad: List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.	1909
		Format: Publication
		April 1st, 1909
Box 2	Folder 4	Lackawanna Railroad pamphlets	1913-1916
Box 2	Folder 4	Item 1: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1916
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. April 1916.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 4	Item 2: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1915
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. April 1915.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 4	Item 3: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1913
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. August 1913.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 4	Item 4: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1913
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. April 1913
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 5	Lackawanna Railroad pamphlets	1917-1926
Box 2	Folder 5	Item 1: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1917
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. April 1917
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 5	Item 2: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1920
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. June 1920.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 5	Item 3: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1922
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. March 1922.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 5	Item 4: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1926
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. July 1926
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 6	Lackawanna Railroad pamphlets	1916-1931
Box 2	Folder 6	Item 1: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1916
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. October 1916.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 6	Item 2: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1924
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. March 1924
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 6	Item 3: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1926
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. July 1926.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 6	Item 4: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1929
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. October 1929
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 6	Item 5: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1931
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. July 1, 1931.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 7	Lackawanna railroad pamphlets	1909-1912
Box 2	Folder 7	Item 1: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1909
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. October 1, 1909
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 7	Item 2: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1910
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. April 1, 1910
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 7	Item 3: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1910
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. October 1, 1910.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 7	Item 4: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1911
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. April 1, 1911
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 7	Item 5: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1911
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. October 1, 1911.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 7	Item 6: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1912
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. June 1, 1912.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 2	Folder 7	Item 7: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1912
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc.; Instructions for Railway Mail; Telephone Directory; First Aid to the Injured. October 1912.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 3	Folder 1	Statements Made by the Association of Railway Executives, Conference Committee of Managers before the United States Railroad Labor Board	1921
		Format: Publication
		Before the United States Railroad Labor Board, Chicago, Il., January 10-18, 1921. Also included: Insert to the volume, Closing Statements of the Association of Railway Executives, Conference Committee of Managers before the United States Railroad Labor Board. January 27, 1921.
Box 3	Folder 2	Inquiry of The Attorney General's Committee On Administrative Procedure	1939
		Format: Publication
		Relating to the National Railroad Adjustment Board and Historical Background And Growth Of Machinery set up for the Handling Of Railroad Labor Disputes 1888-1940. Compiled by Harry E. Jones, Executive Secretary for the National Railroad Adjustment Board.
Box 3	Folder 3	Lackawanna Railroad pamphlets	1903-1908
Box 3	Folder 3	Item 1: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1903
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc. January 1, 1903.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 3	Folder 3	Item 2: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1904
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc. January 1, 1904
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 3	Folder 3	Item 3: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1905
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc. January 1, 1905.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 3	Folder 3	Item 4: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1906
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc. April 1, 1906.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 3	Folder 3	Item 5: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1906
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc. October 1, 1906.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 3	Folder 3	Item 6: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1907
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc. October 1, 1907.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 3	Folder 3	Item 7: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1907
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc. April 1, 1907.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 3	Folder 3	Item 8: The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.	1908
		Format: Pamphlet
		List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Equipment, Facilities, Etc. April 1, 1908.
		Format: Pamphlet.
Box 3	Folder 4	The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co., 105th Annual Report for 1956	1957
		Format: Publication
		Includes notes for shareholder meeting, March 20, 1957.
Box 3	Folder 5	Annual Report, Erie Lackawanna Railroad Company	1965-1966
		For fiscal years 1964 and 1965.
Box 3	Folder 5	Item 1: Annual Report 1964	1964
		Format: Publication
		Author: Erie Lackawanna Railroad Company
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 5	Item 2: Annual Report 1965	1965
		Format: Publication
		Author: Erie Lackawanna Railroad Company
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 6	Pamphlets and Newsletters re Interstate Commerce and Regulation	1955-1956
Box 3	Folder 6	Item 1: The Great U.S. Freight Cartel	1957
		Format: Publication
		Author: Gilbert Burck
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 6	Item 2: Revision of Federal Transportation Policy	1955
		Format: Publication
		Notes: April 1955
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 6	Item 3: Congressional Record Let's Keep the Railroads Ready	1956
		Format: Publication
		Notes: March 23, 1956
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 6	Item 4: Memorandum on Changes in Minimum-Maximum Rate Controls	1955
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 6	Item 5: The Right to Compete Cornerstone of Modern Transportation Regulation	1956
		Format: Publication
		Author: William T. Faricy
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 6	Item 6: Questions and Answers from Transcript	1956
		Format: Publication
		Author: Eastern Railroad Presidents Conference
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 6	Item 7: The 25 Billion Question
		Format: Publication
		Author: David I. Mackie
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 7	Pamphlets and newsletters re Railroad Community Committee	1956-1957
Box 3	Folder 7	Item 1: Railroad Community Committee Activities Make News	1956
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 7	Item 2: Community Committee Digest	1957
		Format: Publication
		Author: Eastern Railroad Presidents Conference
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 7	Item 3: Grass Roots Work Bears Fruit	1956
		Format: Publication
		Notes: October 29, 1956
		Format: Publication
		Language: English.
Box 3	Folder 8	Super-Railroads for a Dynamic American Economy, John Walker Barriger	1956
		Format: Publication
Box 3	Folder 9	The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company Board of Managers Inspection Trip	1956
		Format: Publication
		October 18-19, 1956. Contains information on track grades, the 104th Annual Report for FY1955 with pictures of the damage done by Hurricane Diane to track system, and train time table for 1956.

Contents

Erie Lackawanna Railway Company Records

Collection Number: 5013

Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library