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M238 Alva Lyons papers

Collection Summary    back to top

Title Alva Lyons papers
Dates (Inclusive) 1882-2005
Dates (Bulk) 1940-1969
Creator Alva Lyons
Abstract This collection contains the historically significant papers of San Juan Basin narrow gauge railroad conductor Alva F. Lyons.
Unique ID M238
Quantity 6.5 linear shelf feet (in 14 document cases)

Biographical Note    back to top
Alva F. Lyons was a Four Corners narrow gauge railroad conductor. For detailed biographical information about this beloved man of Durango, Colorado, see the records in Sub-series 8.2 regarding the memorial in his name.






Arrangement    back to top
These records are arranged in series and, in some cases, sub-series, determined by material type and/or origin. Each series is numbered consecutively and contains separate folders for each individual item in the series. Each folder is labeled with a number, arranged in numerical order within the box, and has a general title which explains its contents. These records are mostly in chronological order within each series.


Scope & Contents    back to top
This collection contains the historically significant papers of San Juan Basin narrow gauge railroad conductor Alva F. Lyons. It includes records pertaining to the Order of Railroad Conductors. At left is a photo of a well-dressed group in front of a Denver and Rio Grande Railroad passenger car, circa 1893-1895, possibly at the Durango depot (click on picture for a larger view).




Restrictions    back to top

Access. There are no access restrictions on the use of these materials for research purposes. This collection is open to the public for use in the Delaney Southwest Research Library at the Center of Southwest Studies.

Use and Copyright. These materials are for use only in the Delaney Southwest Research Library; they are noncirculating. Limited duplication of print materials is allowed for research purposes. The user assumes full responsibility for observing all applicable laws regarding copyright, property rights, and libel.

Preferred Citation    back to top
Alva Lyons papers, Fort Lewis College. Center of Southwest Studies.

Processing Info    back to top
Center of Southwest Studies archival volunteers Bud Davis and Paula Wiseman and student archival assistant Gretchen Gray assisted with the processing of this collection in 2007/08, under the supervision of the archivist. Student archival assistant Elizabeth De Jong prepared the original folder list, and student worker, Andrea Bailey, edited and revised the online finding aid in winter 2010.

Acquisition Info    back to top
The Center of Southwest Studies acquired these materials as a series of gifts from Alva F. Lyons in 1966 (accessions 1966:02224 and 1999:01009A). Lyons also donated an 1882 conductor's bag and hat, ticket stamps, rubber stamps, a copper-plated gold railroad spike, a telegraph, brochures and tickets, Modern American Railway Practice (10 volume set) (1967:03003A), a railroad switching lantern (1971:02052), a pair of Denver & Rio Grande Western kerosene lamps which were most probably used by the railroad crews for checking the tracks (1972:11001), and a scale model of the railroad depot at Rico, Colorado (1973:10001.01).

Included in Mr. Lyons' gift of railroadiana (1966:02224) was a battery-powered speaker which he used as the conductor aboard the Durango-Silverton train; the speaker was given to him by the staff of the Hollywood movie Night Passage in October of 1956 (according to information printed in white paint on one side of the red battery box). Lyons used this speaker for a number of years to tell Rio Grande Railroad passengers about the Silverton Branch, until the Railroad installed in two of its trains a speaking and music system, which was operated from the baggage car. Dimensions: red metal box is 5.25" high x 6.75" wide x 5.5" deep; its silver-colored metal handle (on top of the red box) is 2.6" high x 5" wide; the attached gray metal speaker amplifier (made by University, USA) above the red box is 8.25" at its greatest width (at the end of the bell) x 9" wide x 8.25" diameter; the hand held microphone is 1.5" high x 2.25" in diameter, and attaches to the red box by a coiled black rubber cord which is approximately 1' long without being extended. It is well used, but in good condition. 

Separated Materials    back to top
None.

Related Materials    back to top

M 019 Rio Grande Southern Railroad record

Sounds of narrow gauge railroads:

Recording Number Date Contents Link
462 Circa January 1959 Reel side A (on both sides of audiocassette tape 1): engine music. Reel side B (on both sides of audiocassette tape 2): engine music, Durango to Farmington, caboose, Farmington to Durango (485 and 489), and Chama to Durango. Undated, but circa early 1959. According to the note on the master reel box, the recording was poorly done and needs editing. This reel was with the railroad collection assembled and maintained by Alva Lyons. Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel. Copied (May 1996) from one 7" reel tape onto two 90 minute audiocassette tapes.
461 7/27/1958 - 3/14/1959 Reel side A (copied onto audiotape 1, sides a and b): Rio Grande, 0 to 42, told by Bruce Aker (sp?). Reel side B (copied onto both sides of audiocassette tape 2): narrow gauge to Silverton. According to the note on the master reel box, Bruce Aker sent this tape to Alva Lyons on March 14, 1959; John Braggs made the record between Alamosa and Chama; Jim Stevens recorded the sounds from Romeo to Antonito with Engines 480 and 490. With the Alva Lyons collection. Copied onto two 90 minute audiocassette tapes in May 1996 from one 7" magnetic tape reel. Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel. Digitized 5/1/2006 through the Center's grant with the Collaborative Digitization Project. Side A ~ Side B
460 4/28-30/1966 Additional sounds of narrow gauge railroads, apparently recorded by Alva Lyons. Copied from one 7" 1.5 mil acetate reel onto two 90-minute audiocassettes, May 1996. Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel.
459 8/14/1966 Reel side A: voice of Bill Fletcher, President, Railroad Club, on Durango and Rio Grande Western narrow gauge railroad, Durango to Hermosa, August 14, 1966. Reel side B: Leadville to Climax climb; 0 to 74, by Elolte Larsen; Engine #641, 2-8-0 10 car drag, standard gauge...; Engine #478, 95 to 150; Engines #476 and 483, 150 to 210; thunderstorm, 223 to 320; 321 to end, organ music (see reel box for more details), April 17 (1967?). Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel. Copied (May, 1996) from one 5" 1.5 mil acetate reel tape onto one 90-minute audiocassette. (Digital recording contents note: the first seconds of Side A is the voice of Gayle Maloy or Louis L'Amour at the Ignacio peace treaty ceremony; skip past that to hear Mr. Fletcher's introduction to his compilation of railroad sounds.) Side A ~ Side B


Transcribed interviews in the Southwest oral history collection:

Interview Number Date Contents Link
463 June 25, 1982 Interview by Robert W. Delaney. Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on April 3, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Release signed by Dr. Delaney and Center of Southwest Studies 1/98. Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel. Also, click to read the transcription of this interview: 6/25/82. Side A ~ Side B
464 June 29, 1982 Interview by Robert W. Delaney. Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on March 26, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Release signed by Dr. Delaney and Center 1/1998. Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel. Also, click to read the transcription of this interview: 6/29/82. Side A ~ Side B
465 July 1, 1982 Interview by Robert W. Delaney. Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on March 29, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Release signed by Dr. Delaney and Center of Southwest Studies 1/1998. Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel.
466 July 7, 1982 Interview by Robert W. Delaney. Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on April 2, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Release signed by Dr. Delaney and Center of Southwest Studies 1/1998. Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel.
467 July 12, 1982 Interview by Robert W. Delaney. Topics included Masonic origins, his enjoyment of being a trainman, and advice for the Durango and Silverton railroad. Stopped at 204 on counter. Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on April 3, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 3, 1996. Release signed by Dr. Delaney and Center of Southwest Studies 1/1998. Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel.
159 - 163 September 20, 1989 through November 24 Interview by Rae Haynes. Topics include the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Transcribed by Catherine Conrad at the Southwest Studies Center, Nov. 12, 1990; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Release signed 10/24/2005 by Alva Lyons' daughter Martha McDaniel, and by Rae Haynes on 3/14/06. Archival intern Renee Morgan updated the transcripts in January/February 2008 using comments written by Martha McDaniel in 1991. Click to read the transcription of the following interviews: 9/20/89, 9/27/89, 10/26/89, 11/10/89, and 11/24/89. Also, several typed pages of Rhodes / Ent family history genealogical notes made later by Martha Lyons McDaniel, daughter of Alva Lyons, when she edited the transcriptions in 1991. (Requires Adobe Reader free downloadable software, version 6.0 or more recent.)

Access Terms    back to top
Baker, A. F.
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (Colo.).
Haynes, Rae, compiler.
Lyons, Alva F.
Narrow gauge railroads--Colorado.
Order of Railroad Conductors of America.
Railroads--Colorado--Records and correspondence.
Railroads--Colorado--San Juan Basin--History--20th century.
Railroads, Narrow-gauge.
San Juan Basin (N.M. and Colo.)--History.

Series/Container List    back to top

Series 1: Southwestern Colorado railroad histories and newspaper clippings
Series 2: Railroad organizations and associations' publications and printed materials
Series 3: Railroads' timetables and printed materials
Series 4: Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad records and correspondence
Series 5: Alva F. Lyons records and correspondence pertaining to railroad operations
 Series 6: Alva F. Lyons incoming correspondence from railroad fans
Series 7: Alva F. Lyons miscellaneous personal papers and family photographs
Series 8: Papers pertaining to Alva Lyons and regional railroad activity, compiled and donated by Rae Haynes
Series 9: Miscellaneous oversize printed materials

Series 1: Southwestern Colorado railroad histories and newspaper clippings, 1899-1979, compiled by Alva F. Lyons. 25 folders. Arrangement is chronological for the most part. back to series list

Description Date Box/Folder
Newspaper ads for various railroads in local newspapers 1899-06-22/ 1901-08-24 1/1
Photocopied newspaper ads for various railroads in local newspapers 1899-06-22/ 1901-08-24 1/2
Newspaper articles dealing with narrow gauge railroad and related 1951-01-31 / [circa 1950s] 1/3
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad records various newspaper clippings regarding trains and railroads (advertisements and otherwise) 1911-09-23 / 1960 1/4
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad records news clippings - photocopied 1948-05-24 / 1981-02-19 1/5
Correspondence and newspaper clippings pertaining to/ from Marguerite Clark 1949-12 1/6
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad news clippings 1950 /1952 1/7
Correspondence regarding the ‘nomad’ and Durango and Silverton railroad 1950-1965 1/8
Ramsey, KostKa and Association correspondence and records, newspaper clippings regarding Durango/ Silverton narrow gauge railroad sale, and related 1954-02/1965 1/9
Narrow gauge train to yesterday: Durango to Silverton by Milford E. Shields, poem and congressional record – appendix 1959-07-28 1/10
Narrow gauge records, newspaper clippings regarding sale of narrow gauge and white foundation 1959-12 1/11
With train, press release 1959-12-04 1/12
Railroad related news clippings, various newspapers 1960 1/13
Various printed materials regarding the Nomad on the Durango and Silverton railroad 1950/1961 1/14
Newspaper clippings regarding the Nomad on the Durango and Silverton railroad 1950-06-15 1/15
The Durango-Silverton railroad: A ‘new enterprise report’ for Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, report by Rodger L. Hall 1961-01 1/16
The Silverton narrow gauge – yesterday’s train today, address by Alexis McKinney 1964-07-16 1/17
Memories of a Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad railroader, by Helen Andria Hendson, independent study fulfillment 1964/1965 1/18
The golden era of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in the San Juan County, by Janice Strahan, independent study fulfillment 1965-04-05 1/19
Sixty years on the Durango-Aztec-Farmington branch (1905-1965), by Elinor M. McGinn, independent study fulfillment 1965 1/20
Talk for Lake Navajo campground, Arboles, spiral bound notebook by Alva F. Lyons 1979 1/21
A talk by Alva F. Lyons, railroader, [15 pages] [1979] 1/22
Railroad related photocopied news clippings, newspapers unknown 1/23
Brother of Railroad Trainmen History, [14 pages] [1964] 1/24
Railroad management featherbedding, by Lou Corsi, The Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen [1957] 1/25

Series 2: Railroad organizations and associations' publications and printed materials, 1903-1989. 19 folders, in document cases 2 and 3. Arrangement is chronological. Includes records of the Order of Railway Conductors of America, including minutes of the annual meetings of the Grand Division in the 1940s. back to series list

Description Date Box/Folder
Order of railway conductors of America, books of constitution, statutes and rules 1931/1966 2/1
Official freight shippers guide and directory of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Railroad [circa 1935] 2/2
Proceedings of the grand Division of the order of railway conductors; sessions 42, 43, (Chicago, IL.) 1941-05 / 1946-02-14 2/3
Report of officers and committees to the forty-third grand Division order of railway conductors of America; supplement ‘A’, (Report covering the wage movement of 1943), approved; supplement ‘B’ 1945-05-07 / 1946-09-02 2/4
Forty-third special session of the order of railway conductors of America; minutes 1946-09-02 / 1946-09-14 2/5
Report of officers and committees to the forty-fourth grand Division order of railway conductors of America; amendments, minutes, ladies auxiliary 1950-05-01 / 1950-05-12 2/6
Various railroading manuals 1916-1958 3/1
&Advertising handbooks; tourist’s handbook; special edition cinders & smoke: a mile by mile guide for the Durango to Silverton narrow gauge trip 1903-1981 3/2
Railway publications: the motorman conductor and motor coach operator; the railway conductor; railway progress 1946-04 / 1952-07 3/3
Pamphlets regarding narrow gauge trial rides and excursions 1947/1980 3/4
Narrow gauge news, (Alamosa, CO.) 1954-01 / 1954-12 3/5
Various railroad publications 1957 3/6
Green light, newspaper for the employees of the Rio Grande railroad; Vol. 18, No. 4 1957-07-15 3/7
Railroad magazine: the magazine of adventurous railroading – founded 1906; Vol. 69, No. 4 1958-06 3/8
Publications; Night passage, books, screenplay, magazine 1950 3/9
Caravan chronicle, by Barb Lynch [2x] 1962-06 3/10
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co. records, railway historical society of San Diego, inc, newsletter; New Mexico historical review, railroads, Issue XLII:I 1965-07/1967 3/11
Various railroad publications: Our ‘rush to the Rockies’, Crosscurrents 1976/1989 3/12
The Rio Grande Green Light, Vol. 43, nos. 1-3, through vol. 45, nos.3 1982-01 / 1984-12 3/13

Series 3: Railroads' timetables and printed materials, 1942-1969, compiled by Alva F. Lyons. 22 folders. Arrangement is alphabetical by name of railroad. Includes 2 folders re: Silverton Northern Railroad and 3 folders re: the Galloping Goose on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. back to series list

Description Date Box/Folder
Organization, protest, and meetings on proposed abandonment proceedings on the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad narrow gauge lines [circa 1967] 4/1
Refinancing and rebuilding of the central pacific: 1899-1910, report, by David F. Myrick 1969-04-07 4/2
Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Co. timetables 1942 4/3
Burlington route timetables 1949-04/ 1949-09 4/4
California western railroad timetables 1954-27-08 4/5
Canadian Pacific railway timetables 1949/1959 4/6
Canadian National railways timetables 1957/1959 4/7
Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific railroad timetables 1947/1951 4/8
Gulf, Mobile, and Ohio timetable, the Alton route 1949-06 4/9
Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway co. certificate for 10 shares, received Feb. 28, 1883; cancelled May 26, 1883-02-28 / 1890-05-26 4/10
Missouri pacific lines timetables 1954-12-19 4/11
Narrow gauge railroad – Bridgton and Saco River Railroad and Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge - advertising 1956/1968 4/12
Reader railroad timetables and advertising (Reader, AR) 1963-01 4/13
The galloping goose: a publication of the Rio Grande Southern historical and technical society. Volume III, Nos. 2-4; Volume IV, Nos. 1, 3, 4; Volume V, No. 1 1990/1993 4/14
Galloping Goose advertisements: price pamphlets [3x], the R.G.S. story, Vol. III, pamphlet, misc. papers [1933]/2000 4/15
Galloping Goose advertisements (duplicates) 1950 4/16
Galloping Goose construction – plans and costs 1931/1934 4/17
Silverton Northern Railroad Co. tickets [9x], wine list, bill of fare [3x]. Early 1900s 4/18
Silverton northern railroad company- correspondence 1913/1917 4/19
Southern Pacific union depot: red men hall for the benefit of the Durango public library, advertisement poster [early 1900s]-04-28 4/20
Wabash railroad timetable 1949-04-24 4/21
Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad printed materials: refrigerator car inspection forms (blank); blank statements of cars handled; blank scrip collections; foreign tickets routed Early 1900s 4/22

Series 4: Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad records and correspondence, 1881-1983, compiled by Alva F. Lyons. back to series list

Sub-series 4.1 Reports, statistics, and other records and correspondence, 1881-1983. 13 folders. Includes 2-volume topographic profile of the D&RGW RR system.
Sub-series 4.2 Railroad financial records, 1901-1969. 12 folders.
Sub-series 4.3 Timetables, local passenger tariff books, trip report stubs, trip records, and trip logs, 1882-1969. 16 folders.
Sub-series 4.4 Conductors, brakemen and yardmen records and correspondence, 1913-1960. 18 folders.
Sub-series 4.5 Abandonment of the Durango-Silverton railroad, records and correspondence, 1921-1961. 17 folders.

Sub-series Description Date Box/Folder
4.1 Condensed profile of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad system, office of the chief engineer (Denver, CO.) 1962-01-01 5/1
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad records and forms: Examination sheet on rules and regulations; Boarding boss circulars; engine failure form 1893/ 1902-02-14 5/2
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad summary of equipment 1943/1966 5/3
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad company, (Denver, CO.), Circular 101-G”, listing light weights of system cars, etc. 1945-05-01 5/4
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad manual of procedures, Pueblo division 1945-05-16 5/5
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad company alphabetical and numerical list of station audit numbers, revised 1949-07-01 5/6
Alphabetical and numerical list of station audit numbers for freight and passenger wheel reports only 1950-07-01 5/7
Organization of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad railroad, chart of organization by departments and divisions 1952-08-01 5/8
Denver and Rio Grande Western mediation agreement, case no. A-4661 1955-04-01 5/9
Freight operating statistics Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad 1963 /1967 5/10
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co. records, various railroad related records, papers, photos, and correspondence 1906/ 1960-09-19 5/11
Advertising and news reports 1881/ 1983 5/12
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad records, sketches of railroad yards (Aztec, NM), (Carbon Junction, CO), (Farmington, NM) Early 1900s 5/13
4.2 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad railroad, tax revenue, distribution-Durango-La Plata County, and San Juan Basin 1937 5/14
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad co. records, annual reports to the stockholders, value of stocks 1909-1970 &5/15
United States revenue act of 1941, federal tax on transportation of persons, letter to conductors 1941-10-01 5/16
Passenger accounting department and passenger traffic dept. supplement no. 1 to circular no. 1-1941 1941-08-19 5/17
Durango mercantile co. No. 398, abstract of title to a rectangular tract …lying between the westerly produced lines of Seventh Street and Eighth Street, Durango and westerly of block 40, Durango, in the county of La Plata in the state of Colorado. By La Plata County Title Service, Inc. (Durango, CO) [1948] 5/18
197, alphabetical and numerical list of station audit numbers, revised. Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad 1949-07-01 5/19
Car service accounting department, passenger conductor’s run chart. Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad 1951-08-03 5/20
Interdivision and joint (rail-motor) passenger tariff no. 498-C, one-way fares, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad 1952-08-10 5/21
Train expenses – one days operation, and correspondence addressed to Mr. Gain Ireland (Denver, CO) 1953 5/22
Finance docket no. 20943, public utilities commission, witness: Henry E. Jobes; passenger revenues, Silverton branch as related to system 1959 5/23
Durango and Rio Grande Western railroad annual reports 1966/1969 5/24
Rio Grande semi-monthly deductions from wages for federal withholding tax, Railroad retirement tax, and hospital association dues 5/25
Semi-monthly timerolls, Denver and Rio Grande western Railroad 1957-1958 5/26
Selected key points from Rio Grande Supervisory Relations course with quiz sheets 1-10 taken by C.B. Johnston of the transportation department 1953 5/27
4.3 Level books, 1307 (books I and II), Colorado and Gulf railway, by Thomas H. Wigglesworth, (Durango, CO); 371. 1901-09-11/ [c.1910] 6/1
Trip records 1923-1938 6/2
Trip report stubs (4 books) 1924/1935-03 6/3
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co. local passenger tariff; one-way fares, Alamosa division: no. 399: no. 486; supplementary no.5, no.15 1926-05/ 1941-12-16 6/4
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co. local and joint (rail-motor) passenger tariff, one-way fares: no. 485-A, Alamosa and Grand Junction divisions; no.483B, Denver and Pueblo divisions 1942-12-01 / 1948-11-23 6/5
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad railway timetables: no. 19; supplementary no.6 to R.G.S. R.R. G.F.D. no 4100-H; Division 4, 102 1882-07-23 / 1919-07-20 6/6
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co.: Alamosa Division timetables: no. 122; no. 124; no.125. 1942-09-06 / 1949-06-01 6/7
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co.; Pueblo Division timetables: no. 159, no.166; no.167; no.168; no.169  1949-08-21 / 1960-10-02  6/8
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co.: timetable of the Colorado division: no. 3-A; no. 5; [2x]  1963-05-19 / 1965-10-01  6/9
   Rio Grande public timetables/ advertisements: Main Line route, Moffat tunnel route, the Royal Gorge route, the Silverton route  1949/1969  6/10
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad co records, time book, time tables, and numerical list of stations; Lyons’ ‘cheat-sheet’  1938-1965  6/11
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co. tariffs and circulars  1928-09-25 / 1948-11-23  6/12
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad various union and association agreements  Nov. 1922-Jan. 1953  6/13
   Rio Grande Western Railway Baggage Record, forwarded from Mount Pleasant  1894  6A/1
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Car Record Train Books  Jan. 1945-Aug. 1957  6A/2
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Car Record Train Books  Sept. 1957-Jul. 1962  6A/3
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Car Record Train Books  Aug. 1962-Jul. 1965  6A/4
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad receipt of waybills received (1 book)  Jan. 1954-Nov. 1959  6B/1
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad form 3019 transfer/clearance cards
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad form 3924 train delay report 		 1958 Jan.-Feb.  6B/2
   Train logs (5 books)  1935/1936  7/1
   Train logs (4 books)  1937/1938  7/2
   Various blank tickets for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co.  1952  7/3
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad passenger traffic dept., local passenger tariff no. 525-D  1965-01-20  7/4
 4.4  Various records and correspondence regarding Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad with O. E. Sevier; O. J. Timmons; R. O. Hughes, Discontinuance of the field dept. and cancellation of local Division representatives; statement of salary and office expenses of general chairmen, R.G.W. railroad for years 1947-1948  1949/1950  7/5
   Letters to Harold P. Eno regarding complaints of new services of Durango to Silverton train  1955-07  7/6
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad personal injury reports and inquiries; Mrs. Ellen H. Carson; Mrs. James Jacobs  1913-09-09 / 1958-06-22  7/7
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad schedule of rates, rules, regulations for conductors and trainmen  1926/1940  7/8
   Seniority lists of Conductors and brakemen, Alamos Division, Utah Division  1938-01-01 / 1946-07-01  7/9
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad schedule of agreement covering rates, rules and regulations for conductors, (3 books), memorandum of agreement between Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad and the general grievance committee order of railway conductors and brakemen, and correspondence 1940  1940/1951  7/10
   Memorandum of agreements by O.R.C and B.R.R.C regarding Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad rules, regulations and disputes  1941/1949  7/11
   Proposed changes in the rules of the schedule of agreement covering rates rules and regulations for conductors and brakemen effective May 1, 1945, insofar as those rules and regulations affect conductors of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad  1945-05-01  7/12
   Memorandum of agreement between employees represented by the order of railway conductors and the brotherhood of railroad trainmen and Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad  1945-05-23  7/13
   Seniority list of yardmaster, Durango yard (Colo.)  1948-07-01  7/14
   Memorandum of agreement between the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad and the order of railway conductors  1949-01-27 / 1949-12-10  7/15
   Memorandum of agreement between the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad and the order of railway conductors  [1949]  7/16
   Minutes of special meeting: general committee of adjustment, order of railway conductors, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad  1950-04-14  7/17
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad schedule of agreement covering rates, rules and regulations for trainmen / conductors, (3 books)  1952-02-01 / 1957-11-01  7/18
   National mediation board (an agency of the United States government): notice of election to be held under the railway labor act involving road brakemen, employees of Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, (Denver, Colo.)  1955-06-21  7/19
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad miscellaneous records, correspondence  1956-1960  7/20
   Miscellaneous records and materials: tentative passenger train schedule, railroad retirement board list of representatives, switch lists, correspondence [undated]  [mid-1900s]  7/21
   A brief history of freight handled on passenger trains of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad  1943-05-08  7/22
 4.5  Organization of railroad to connect San Juan Basin with Santa Fe railroad, correspondence  1921  8/1
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tax information, information pertaining to closing of narrow gauge railroad  1954  8/2
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad records and correspondence, proposed agreement by T.A. White, general attorney of the Rio Grande  1959  8/3
   White, William M. correspondence and records with Palmer Hoyt regarding narrow gauge railroad  1959-11  8/4
   McKinney, Alex, correspondence and records regarding Helen Thatcher White Foundation, railroad records, William M. White  1959-10 / 1960-12  8/5
   Abandonment of Antonito to Farmington railroad correspondence  1950-12-28 / 1954-07-02  8/6
   Abandonment of Antonito to Farmington railroad statistics  [1967]  8/7
   Correspondence relating to abandonment of rail service from Antonito, Colo. – Durango, Colo. – Farmington, N.M  1961/1967  8/8
   Abandonment of Antonito to Farmington railroad legal hearing  1967/1968  8/9
   Abandonment of Antonito to Farmington railroad newspaper articles  1967/1968  8/10
   Newspaper articles regarding abandonment of narrow gauge railroads  1942-07-17/ 1968-04-05  8/11
   Hearing letters, Durango – Silverton narrow gauge railroad  Pre – 1950s  8/12
   Incoming correspondence, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad regarding abandonment of Durango-Silverton line and abstract of assessment, La Plata County  1939-02-19 / 1940-04-30  8/13
   Correspondence/ records regarding abandonment of the railroad between Durango and Silverton  1953  8/14
   Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad records, Silverton Hearing ICC, regarding abandonment of Durango – Silverton run  1960 / 1961  8/15
   Before the interstate commerce commission, in regards to abandonment of narrow gauge line between Durango and Silverton, application and agreement, list of members of Interstate Commerce Commission (I.C.C.)  [1959]  8/16
   Abandonment of Durango – Silverton railroad service miscellaneous records, correspondence, propaganda  Bulk late 1950s  8/17

Series 5: Alva F. Lyons records and correspondence pertaining to railroad operations, 1928-1965. Includes records of the Order of Railway Conductors of America compiled by Lyons. 35 folders. Arrangement is chronological.    back to series list

Description Date Box/Folder
 Order of railroad conductors, work train case, correspondence (Farmington, NM)  1928-01-21 / 1928-07-17  9/1
 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, office of superintendent of transportation, circular no. 101 and 101A (Denver, CO)  [1928/1929]  9/2
 Correspondence between Alva F. Lyons and others, (Durango, CO)  1928-03-07 / 1931-11  9/3
 Alva F. Lyons incoming and outgoing correspondence  1938-11-10 / 1941-12  9/4
 List of contributors to rail service organization  1941-04/05  9/5
 Alva F. Lyons, incoming and outgoing correspondence regarding railroad business and transactions  1942-12-23 / 1942-01-24  9/6
 Senator Edwin C. Johnson, correspondence regarding transfer of 95 draftees from Durango to Pueblo by bus rather than rail  1942-02-22 / 1942-04-27  9/7
 Alva F. Lyons, incoming and outgoing correspondence regarding railroad business in Colorado, etc.  [1943]  9/8
 Alva F. Lyons, incoming and outgoing correspondence (Durango, CO)  1945-05-01 / 06-29  9/9
 Order of railway conductors of America: trustees circular  [1946-01-22 / 07-19]  9/10
 Pamphlets and information pertaining to forty-third (special) grand Division order of railway conductors of America (Chicago, IL)  1946-09-02  9/11
 Order of Railway Conductors of America correspondence and printed materials regarding special session of the grand Division to occur in Chicago, Ill. on Monday, Sept. 22 1946 at the Continental hotel  1946-09-22  9/12
 Conductor correspondence, telegraphs, and tolerance, harmony and progress: proceedings of the twenty-eight convention of the BRT (Miami Beach, FL); minutes of meeting: general committee of adjustment, Order of Railway Conductors of America; Minutes: General committee  1946  9/13
 Conductor correspondence, passenger count  1947  9/14
 Manual of procedures, geographical list of stations and location  [1945-0-16 / 1948-09-05]  9/15
 Articles 1-A through 91, and agreed changes, Order of Railway Conductors of America  Pre-1950s  9/16
 Order of Railway Conductors of America, proposed new working agreement between carrier and conductors  1950-04-04  9/17
 Order of Railway Conductors of America, records and correspondence: proposed changes in rules, rates of pay and working conditions covering conductors employed by Rio Grande, and cover letters  1950  9/18
 Alphabetical and numerical list of station audit numbers for freight and passenger wheel reports only, east of Grand Junction, revised.  1950-07-01  9/19
 Correspondence and records pertaining to Order of Railway Conductors of America actions throughout the year: statement of Roy. O. Hughes, Order of Railway Conductors of America president; ORCA general chairman’s monthly letter, summary of the provisions of the agreement between the carriers and the BRT in connection with present wage and rules movement; copy of letter addressing govermnets possession of railroads, addressed to Secretary of the Army, Frank Pace, Jr.; news articles, letters pertaining to ‘St. Lawrence project’, Alamosa Division transportation safety committee members list  1951-02-22 / 1951-12-31  9/20
 Correspondence and records, personal and those pertaining to Order of Railway Conductors of America and other railway matters: strike instructions from O.S. Sevier, letter in reply to union and owning carriers dispute, letter addressing prior letter to Frank Pace, Jr. Secretary of army  1952-02-22 / 05-11  9/21
 Correspondence pertaining to personal and public railway matters  1953  9/22
 Correspondence regarding railroad transactions, and newspaper article  1954  9/23
 The railroad retirement acts and railroad unemployment insurance act, amendments, (4 volumes)  1946-07-31 / 1956  9/24
 Order of Railway Conductors of America correspondence and records: monthly circular ORCA, comparison information of roadmen, tentative voting schedule  1955  9/25
 Incoming and outgoing correspondence, national commander American legion, and gross income reports  1956  9/26
 Records and correspondence, the American legion – department of Oregon, economic commission, program  1957  9/27
 Various rail related material and correspondence, with H.F. Eno; E.L Oliver  1957  9/28
 The American legion joint circular with national economic commission and national rehabilitation commission, processing disability applications; representation and hearings, bureau of old age and survivors insurance  1957-04-2/15  9/29
 Various railway related records and correspondence  1958  9/30
 Correspondence and records pertaining to Order of Railway Conductors of America and other railway matters: Open letter to all members … regarding the jeopardized state of jobs  1958  9/31
 Correspondence and railway work records  1959-1962  9/32
 Various records and correspondence  1961  9/33
 Various rail related material and correspondence  1962  9/34
 Correspondence regarding Order of Railway Conductors of America and brakemen  1963-1965  9/35

Series 6: Alva F. Lyons incoming correspondence from railroad fans, circa 1948-1965. 25 folders, in document case 10. Arrangement is alphabetical by last name of correspondent.    back to series list

Description Date Box/Folder
 Incoming correspondence from variety of rail fans, alphabetized and sorted by last name  1943-1963  10/1
 Incoming correspondence from L. G. Arend and cartoon sketches, Denver to Silverton train ride  1955  10/2
 Incoming correspondence from Bruce Achor  1958-1960  10/3
 Incoming correspondence from Alvin Hale Bloodworth, and cartoons  1963-09-23  10/4
 Incoming correspondence from C. C. Collins  1948 / 1955  10/5
 Incoming correspondence from Hervey Angier  1949/1958  10/6
 Incoming correspondence from H. Jack Brown  1961-1963  10/7
 Incoming correspondence from Gregory Greene and Harold Waddington  1953-1954  10/8
 Incoming correspondence from Raymond Howse  1948-09-08 / 1961-12-14  10/9
 Incoming correspondence from John B. Hungerford  1957/1963  10/10
 Incoming correspondence from Dick Kindig  1954/1957  10/11
 Incoming correspondence from Jack Thode, and Daniel Peterson  1950/1963  10/12
 Incoming correspondence from John F. Trout  1958-1963  10/13
 Incoming correspondence from Nelson O. Whitaker  1952/1958  10/14
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1948-1954  10/15
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1955/1956  10/16
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1957  10/17
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1958  10/18
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1959  10/19
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1960  10/20
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1961  10/21
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1962  10/22
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1963  10/23
 Incoming correspondence from various rail fans, sorted chronologically  1964/1965  10/24
 Incoming postcards, Christmas cards, and other irregular greeting cards from various rail fans  1943-1961  10/25

Series 7: Alva F. Lyons miscellaneous personal papers and family photographs, 1885-1966. 5 folders.     back to series list

Description Date Box/Folder
 Various political records:H.R. 8587 Bill to amend railroad retirement act of 1937 and railroad retirement tax act; before the interstate commerce commission,finance docket 11002; report of proceeds of railroad meeting, (Durango, CO)  1942-10-12 /1956-01-18  10/26
 Pamphlets: abstract of assessments and levies, notes regarding above  1934 / 1966  10/27
 Money duplicate receipt books, handwritten money receipt signed James Beaton (Minnie Gulch, San Juan County, CO) bulk 1941-1950  1885 / 1950  10/28
 Personal files and photos  [1950s]  10/29
 Photos of White family, Durango – Silverton press releases  1959  10/30
 Newspaper clippings with articles regarding Railroad  1966-1968  10/31
 Slide photos from A.F. Lyons Donation  (unknown)  10/32

Series 8: Papers pertaining to Alva Lyons and regional railroad activity, compiled and donated by Rae Haynes (accession 2006:037.002).     back to series list

Sub-series 8.1 Railroaders' newsletters, 1959-2002. 58 folders. Titles include The Crewcar (1986, 1 folder), San Juan Large Scalers Dispatch (1996-2002, 7 folders), the C & TS Dispatch (1988-2005, 18 folders), The Smokebox (2004-2005, 2 folders), The New Mexico Railroader (1986-2003, 13 folders), and Track n' Feathers (1989-2005, 17 folders). Arrangement is alphabetical by name of newsletter, then chronological.
Sub-series 8.2 Alva Lyons memorial records and correspondence, 1989-1998. 14 folders.

Sub-series Description Date Box/Folder
 8.1  The Crew Car, newsletter, Vol. 5, No. 2  1986-06  11/1
   San Juan Large Scalers’ Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 9, 10, 12  1996  11/2
   San Juan Large Scalers’ Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 1 – 11, 1997 roster of swell people  1997  11/3
   San Juan Large Scalers’ Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 4, No. 1 – 6, 7, 9, 12  1998  11/4
   San Juan Large Scalers’ Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 5, No. 1 – 10  1999  11/5
   San Juan Large Scalers’ Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 1, 4 – 10  2000  11/6
   San Juan Large Scalers’ Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 7, No. 1 – 4, May, Aug., Sept.  2001  11/7
   San Juan Large Scalers’ Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 1  2002  11/8
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 1 – 3  1988  11/9
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 1 – 3  1989  11/10
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 1 – 3  1990  11/11
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 4, No. 1 – 4  1991  11/12
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 5, No. 1 – 5  1992  11/13
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 1 – 5  1993  11/14
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 7, No. 1 – 5  1994  11/15
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 1 – 4  1995  11/16
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 9, No. 1 – 4  1996  11/17
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 1 – 4  1997  11/18
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 11, No. 1 – 4  1998  11/19
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 12, No. 1 – 4  1999  11/20
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 13, No. 1 – 4  2000  11/21
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 14, No. 1 – 4  2001  11/22
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 1 – 4  2002  11/23
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 16, No. 1 – 3  2003  11/24
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 17, No. 2 – 4  2004  11/25
   C & TS Dispatch, newsletter, Vol. 18, No. 3  2005  11/26
   The Smokebox, newsletter, Durango railroad historical society  2004  12/1
   The Smokebox newsletter, Durango railroad historical society  2005  12/2
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1986  12/3
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1987  12/4
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1988  12/5
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1989  12/6
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1990  12/7
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1991  12/8
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1992  12/9
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1993  12/10
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1994  12/11
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1995  12/12
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1996  12/13
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  1999  12/14
   The New Mexico Railroader, newsletter  2000  12/15
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1989  12/16
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1990  12/17
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1991  12/18
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1992  12/19
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1993  12/20
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1994  12/21
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1995  12/22
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1996  12/23
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1997  12/24
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1998  12/25
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  1999  12/26
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  2000  12/27
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  2001  12/28
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  2002  12/29
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  2003  12/30
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  2004  12/31
   Track n’ Feathers, newsletter, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores (CO)  2005  12/32
8.2  Lyons memorial, news clippings, from Crosscurrents  1989  13/1
   Lyons memorial, news clippings: documentary features Durango, Durango Herald  1989  13/2
   Lyons memorial, news clippings: railroad prophet Alva Lyons dies at 92, Silverton newspaper  1990-02-08  13/3
   Lyons memorial, correspondence: Rae P. Haynes  1990 / 1992  13/4
   Lyons memorial: ceremony, assorted papers, photocopies of newspaper clippings  1991  13/5
   Lyons memorial: meetings, Alva F. Lyons memorial fund, correspondence  1991  13/6
   Lyons memorial: financial, various  1991  13/7
   Lyons memorial: design, originals of letters, etc.  1991  13/8
   Lyons memorial, design: plaque, sculptor name, design drafts, newspaper article  1991  13/9
   Lyons memorial: design: news coverage / news releases  1991  13/10
   Lyons memorial: design: Alva F. Lyons memorial fund letter and template of bronze plaque  1991  13/11
   Lyons memorial: Durango Herald news clippings, group seeks plaque to recognize Durango conductor  1991-06-21  13/12
   Lyons memorial plaque dedication, photos, newspaper clippings, souvenirs  1991-08-03  13/13
   Lyons memorial: design: envelopes and letter pages, Durango Herald letters to the editor  1998  13/14

Series 9: Miscellaneous oversize printed materials, 1906. 1 folder.    back to series list

Description Date Box/Folder
 Portfolio of charts: supplement to and issued in connection with modern American railway practice, published by the National Institute of Practical Mechanics, oversized (in map case 3.38)  1906  (in map case 3.38)