The Railway Mail Service Library is a treasure trove of history and heritage, a collection of documents and artifacts that tell the story of the Railway Mail Service's 100-year journey.
It's home to over 100,000 items, including letters, photographs, and other memorabilia.
The library's collection spans from the early 20th century to the present day, providing a unique glimpse into the past.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the library is its collection of rare and historic documents, including original mail contracts and route maps.
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The Collection
The RMS Library has an incredible collection of resources that will transport you back in time to the golden age of mail transportation.
The library has every major book published about the Railway Mail Service/Postal Transportation Service (RMS/PTS), covering all aspects of the service.
One of the unique features of the collection is the variety of original-source documentation, which includes six types of materials.
These are photographs of HPO and RPO vehicles, Railway Post Office and Postal Transport Journal issues between 1905 and 1959, oral recollections of former clerks on audio and videotapes, general orders describing weekly changes within several divisions, general and standpoint schemes of mail distribution, and schedules of mail trains/routes.
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The schedules of mail trains/routes are particularly helpful for understanding how the network of mail transportation and distribution activities operated.
Some of the notable additions to the collection since 1982 include the Edwin Bergman scheme and schedule collection, Lloyd Jackson's postal artifacts, and John McClelland's bound issues of The Railway Post Office between 1905 and 1949.
What Is the Goal?
The Railway Mail Service Library Foundation (RMSLF) has a clear goal in mind.
The organization aims to assemble, preserve, and present the historical record of the Railway Mail Service and its successor entities.
Their objective is to showcase the past, present, and future of postal history through various displays and research opportunities.
The RMSLF received a bequest from Mr. Nagle's estate that specified the preservation of historical records, vehicles, and artifacts.
The foundation plans to house a Ford 1931 Model A Mail truck and a Highway Products 1967 Highway Post Office in a 40 x 50 foot structure, with a mezzanine for document and artifacts displays.
The HPO will be restored to its former glory, allowing it to operate short distances off-road and be displayed outside.
This ambitious project will provide a unique glimpse into the history of the Railway Mail Service and its significance in the development of modern postal systems.
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Railway Mail Service
The Railway Mail Service was a game-changer in the history of America's postal system, revolutionizing the way mail was processed by sorting mail aboard moving trains.
From its beginnings in 1832, the Railway Mail Service grew slowly until the Civil War, when it really took off. The service relied on partnerships with America's railway companies and the dedication of Railway Post Office clerks.
The Railway Mail Service began exchanging mail "on-the-fly" in 1869, making it unnecessary for trains to stop at every town to load and unload mail. This was made possible by the introduction of mail cranes and catcher arms.
A critical component of the Railway Mail Service was the mail exchange made between moving trains and small towns. The National Postal Museum even re-created a railway mail train in its Atrium, showcasing the interior fixtures from a decommissioned mail car.
The Railway Mail Service sorted mail en route as early as 1862, with trains moving between two points while mail was being sorted. This idea proved to be exceptionally successful and helped the postal service decentralize its operations.
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