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Fairbanks Feature: A New Train of Thought – The James J. Hill Story, Yesterday and Today

James D. Van Trump Library | Frank B. Fairbanks Transportation Archive | Fairbanks Features

Showcasing a variety of materials located in the Frank B. Fairbanks Rail Transportation Archive

No. 1 Presentation:

The James J. Hill Story, Yesterday and Today

This is but a small sampling of the materials available at the Frank B. Fairbanks Rail Transportation Archive on The Great Northern Railroad:

  • The definitive biography of James J. Hill (1838-1916), by Albro Martin. Hill blazed the trail west and built the Great Northern rail line.
  • Post card of the James J. Hill House
  • Magazine articles, assorted publications, dates old and recent
  • Menus from the Empire Builder – 1999, 2000
  • Glacier’s Grandest, by Bridget Moylan
  • All Aboard for Glacier, by C . W. Guthrie
  • Many large map selections of the Great Northern Railway and area, such as this one of 1952 and 1957
  • Train orders from the 1940’s and 1950’s
  • New Cascade Tunnel opening brochure
  • Great Northern Railway Steam Locomotives

The Frank B. Fairbanks Rail Transportation Archive is open by appointment on Mondays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Use of the archive is free to PHLF members (one of the benefits!); non-members are assessed a $10 use fee.

The Archive is located on the fourth floor of The Landmarks Building at Station Square, in the offices of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.

To schedule an appointment, email the Librarian James Halttunen: James@phlf.org

Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation

100 West Station Square Drive, Suite 450

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Phone: 412-471-5808  |  Fax: 412-471-1633