BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The photo and film collection of the late rail photographer and author Michael A. Eagleston has been donated to the Industrial Archives & Library, a private nonprofit foundation in Bethelem.
The Eagleson collection spans more than 60 years and helps document the end of the steam locomotive in the U.S. and worldwide. Born in 1943, he took his first photo at age 11. From age 15 until his death in 2022, he endeavored to photograph as many steam locomotives as possible, traveling to more than 77 countries.He often employed a rig that allowed him to shoot color slides, large-format negatives and movies simultaneously.
Eagleson, trained in graphic design, established his own graphics firm, The Corporate Image, which did work for major New Jersey pharmaceutical companies. He also wrote a Railroad Magazine column, In Search of Steam, about the history of steam locomotives.
Eagleson is survived by his wife Florence and daughter Catherine, who arranged the collection’s donation. “We are very honored to care for this incredible collection and to be able to preserve the amazing visual legacy of Mike Eagleson for future generations,” said Industrial Archives & Library CEO Stephen G. Donches.
The Eagleson collection will be the subject of a presentation by the organization’s archivist, Nick Zmijewski, on Jan. 30. “In Search of the Wanamie Colliery: A Journey Through the Lines of Michael A. Eagleson,” will be presented at Alvernia University-Pottsville Town Campus (500 Progress Ave., Pottsville, Pa.) at 6 p.m.
The organization estimates it will take several years of preparation and processing for the collection to become fully accessible for research. Some portions are well documented and may be requested by telephone at 610-868-1115 or by email at info@industrialarchives.org. Updates on the collection will be available at the Industrial Archives & Library website.
