Trains LIVE — The David P. Morgan Library — 1-17-2024 — Within Kalmbach Media headquarters there is a special place that is a treasure trove of railroad knowledge. Rarely does anyone from outside the organization get to visit the David P. Morgan Library, however, staff members for our various publications visit the library regularly. It is a place to conduct story research, verify facts, double check map and chart information, and find photos. The library holdings fall into three narrow categories: science including astronomy, military and other static modeling, and all-things railroads. These resources support the content of Kalmbach’s various periodicals and book publications.
The Morgan library holds more than 14,000 books, periodicals, and primary-source documents. Books are divided into areas of interest within broader subject headings. Locomotives, labor, and specific railroads are but a few of the subcategories for train-related books. The collection holds magazines published by numerous railroad historical societies and titles like Railway Age dating to the early 1900s.
One area of the Morgan Library that is used extensively is the photo collection. More than 150,000 black and white prints are stored, sorted by railroad and then various sub-headings. From Class I carriers to obscure short lines, there’s a good chance you can find a photo for it in the Morgan Library. Additionally, thousands of color images are held digitally in a collection that grows daily as readers submit photos.
Here is your opportunity to dive deep behind the scenes and visit a little-known resource that plays a role in every issue of Trains and all our sister publications.
Come along as Trains LIVE explores the David P. Morgan Library.
Trains LIVE is a regular video program, recorded live and unscripted from Kalmbach Media. The series began in July 2022.
Trains LIVE features Bob Lettenberger, Trains associate editor, Kalmbach Media staff, and guests talking about railroads and trains in a casual, behind-the-scenes format. On Trains LIVE we will ask the questions you would like to ask and take you into places not normally open to the public. Trains LIVE also takes you on the road to museums, trackside locations and other railroad-related venues. It is presented every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. Central time.
If you have questions or comments, please log-in and leave a comment in the area at the bottom of the page. We will attempt to answer questions during future episodes. All aboard! It’s time for Trains LIVE!
