Details: This lot includes one or more original, antique financial ledgers from Northeast American railroad history. These ledgers came from the estate of an Upstate New York history professor who built a specialized research library in the Cooperstown area, about railroad history and published works on the subject. Included in this lot:

Number of Ledgers: 2

Railroad Company or Station: Boston & Albany Railroad [B&A.R.R] and Whitewater Valley Railroad [WVR.R.]

Years Represented: 1898 - 1899 [B&A.R.R.], 1882 - 1887 [W.V.R.R.]

The Boston and Albany Railroad later become part of the New York Central Railroad system, Conrail, and CSX Transportation.

The Western Railroad was chartered February 15, 1833 and incorporated March 15, 1833 to connect the B&W to the Hudson and Berkshire Railroad at the New York state line.

Construction began in 1837, and the Eastern Division to the Connecticut River in Springfield opened on October 1, 1839. The Western Division, through the Berkshire Hills, opened in sections from both ends from the state line to Pittsfield May 4, 1841, West Springfield to Chester May 24, 1841, Springfield to West Springfield July 4, 1841, Pittsfield to "Summit" August 9, 1841, and Chester to Summit September 13, 1841. On October 4, 1841 the first train ran along the full route.

The Castleton and West Stockbridge Railroad was incorporated in New York in 1834 as the New York part of the Western Railroad, and changed its name to the Albany and West Stockbridge Railroad. Construction began in December 1840 and the line opened from Greenbush to Chatham on December 21, 1841 and to the Massachusetts state line on September 12, 1842. It was leased to the Western Railroad for 50 years from November 11, 1841. This railroad replaced the Hudson and Berkshire Railroad east of Chatham.

Two mergers, on September 4, 1867 and December 28, 1870 brought the three companies, along with the Hudson and Boston Railroad, together into one company, known as the Boston and Albany Railroad. The New York Central and Hudson River Railroad leased the B&A for 99 years from July 1, 1900. This lease passed to the New York Central Railroad in 1914; throughout this, the B&A kept its own branding in the public eye.

Whitewater Valley Railroad [WVRRR]:
The Whitewater Valley Railroad is a heritage railroad in southeastern Indiana between Connersville and Metamora.

The railroad is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of a 1950s era of branch line railroading.

Dimensions: approx. 18.25†x 13" [B.&A.R.R], 15.75" x 11.5" [W.V.R.R]

Content or Categories for the B.&A.R.R ledger Include but are not limited to:
- Denver and Rio Grande RR
- Erie RR Company
- Boston Lumber Company
- Road Repairs
- Payroll
- Taxes Paid
- Personal Damage
- Fire Damage

Content or Categories for the W.V.R.R ledger Include but are not limited to:
- New York Lake Erie RR
- Milk & Cream Freight Charges
- Ulster & Delaware RR
- Telegraph Earnings
- Penna RR
- New York, West Shore & Buffalo
- Western Union

There also appear to be numerous names of individuals which could be a useful resource for anyone conducting genealogical research on this region and period.
Condition / Notes: These ledgers show nicely with period patina. The bindings are disbound with age/wear indications externally, concentrated at the extremities. The pages are generally bright and clean with some scattered marks/toning

The stated shipping cost in this listing will apply only to addresses within the continental 48 states. Within those parameters, the shipping cost for this lot will be: $43.50