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Patches, Hat Badges, Uniform Parts the ICC in 1915 and show detail

Railroad patches may be original uniform parts, but most likely on the actual tracks, signals,
bridges, and other railroad items
are aftermarket, created for the railfan market. They make a great near the track. The ICC required
collectible for new collectors as they are relatively inexpensive (from $3 this for tax purposes, so every rail-
to around $6+) and are often sold in lots. road had to make them. Many are
Hat Badges are for either passenger service or trolley service. Metal archived at the National Archives in
badges and identify the railroad or trolley company and the person’s Maryland. But each railroad has
job: conductor, trainman, operator, and the like. Most trollies were paper copies for general use. These
gone before copies made their way off railroad
World War 2, property and became a saleable item.
and passenger
service declined
in the 1960s. Railroad books
These items are There are many books about
no longer used, railroads, running the gamut from
except on Coffee-table picture books to
Above: Frisco Lines “Conductor” hat badge Amtrak, and can historical books, to pulp novels
Below: Union Pacific RR “Train Baggageman” hat badge be quite rare and from the 1930s. Coffee-table books Bennington and Rutland Railway Co.
photos: westernrailroadamericana.com pass collection c. late 1800s
expensive, were popular in the 1970s but have sold for $375 at Melbane Antique
bringing as little collectible value. Novels are Auction in 2020
much as hun- just that, stories. Pulp novels, dime
dreds of dollars books have their own following.
depending on There is another category, Railroad Historic Books. Many authors,
the specifics of like me, have spent many days, months, and even years researching
the badge. their favorite railroad to create a book that tells an accurate story about
that railroad. These may be hard to find due to large up-front printing
Photographs and Postcards costs and distribution issues.
Pricing of any book may be affected by age, author, scarcity, railroad
Original photographs can be very scarce and often demand a good name, location, subject matter, or condition of the book. There are no
price. Railroad photos were typically done for either a railroad line or a real guidelines. eBay and Amazon are good references for a price range.
newspaper, rarely by amateur photographers for personal use. Unlike Today, books can be self-published, and print-on-demand books
today’s digital world, film photographers would only take a photo if and can be easily found for a good price. Because older traditionally
something were unusual. Many old photographs are in the collections printed books have smaller and expensive print runs, copies may be
of museums or historic groups and organizations. Occasionally, an old hard to find, and therefore pricey.
film negative or glass plate negative can be found, showing a view into Other resources for information
an older time. These rarely surface and often demand a high price. include the many online clubs, asso-
Postcards seem ciations, and
to always have a museums that
strong presence in share informa-
the collectibles tion in an
market. Postcard open format.
shows still exist, But when it
but fewer than just comes to good
a few years ago. images and
You can always information
find postcards at you can turn
an antique shop or to again and
co-op or go to an again, nothing
antiques flea mar- Antique Lot Of 4 Misc. Early 1900’s Railroad beats a good
ket and be pre- Station / Depot Postcards (NY, Conn, MD) quality book.
pared to do some sold at auctionzip.com for $15
searching. Practically any original railroad
Railroad postcards are usually arranged by place name, and always seem item might be considered a col-
to range from a few dollars upwards. Railroad Depot postcards were lectible, to the right buyer. To be con-
popular for many years.
sidered, the item must be marked
with the name of any Railroad, but
Maps, Track Charts, Plans, Blueprints age and condition may not be as

Like many other items, anything official from a railroad can be col- important as the name.
lectible. Typical items might be railroad maps, plans for structures such In these modern times, printed price books about antiques and col-
as depots, blueprints, and track plans. The track plans were required by lectibles are obsolete by the time they are printed. However, these older
printed books can always be used as reference books.
I have seen the change to live sites like eBay and other online
sales/auction sites as well as Facebook sales groups. Library and church
book sales and estate sales can be a good source for railroad books and
many other materials.

Philip Johnson has been interested in Railroads since a young age. He
has been a member of Amherst Railway Society for over 45 years and now
serves as Secretary. He is also a member of several Railroad Historical
This image used with the title of this article is of the Central Pacific railway and its
connections at the Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum, online at Societies and a model club. He also serves on the Historical Commission for
www.cprr.org his small town in Western Massachusetts.

28 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles