The collection consists of 459 mostly black and white slides, with some in color.
While the majority of the slides are undated, the collection covers dates that range
widely between the early 1900s through the 1970s. Many of the slides are
reproductions created in the 1980s, but some are older. While the collection is
mainly of trains, streetcars, and interurbans, there are also slides relating to
ships, trucks, and airplanes. The majority of the collection is of TMER&L and
C&NW locomotives, cars, tracks, and depots.
Series 1 contains 142 slides of TMER&L streetcars and interurbans, tracks and
bridges, work cars and locomotives, stations, yards and depots, timetables,
trackless trolleys, and buses. Series 2 consists of 252 slides of C&NW bridges,
cars, locomotives, maps of the Milwaukee area, portraits, publications, stations,
yards and depots, timetables, tracks and equipment, and trains. Series 3 consists of
other companies and locations, such as the Milwaukee Road, Soo Line, and the Santa
Fe Railroad. The Milwaukee Harbor is represented with slides of ships, ferries, and
other activities related to the port. The trucking industry is represented by the
Gateway Transportation Co.’s facilities and trucks. The Milwaukee Lakefront, the Bay
View Rolling Mills, as well as General Mitchell International Airport, including a
Capital Airlines Vickers Viscount airplane, are also present.
