John "Jack" J. O'Brien papers
Creation: 1931-1981Abstract
John "Jack" J. O'Brien (1932-) worked as both a railroad clerk and yardmaster for more than forty-four years. O'Brien started his career with the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Line (PRSL) in the early 1950s. Eventually, the PRSL became part of Conrail, the railroad from which he ultimately retired. This small collection documents policies and procedures for railroad employees at the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Line (PRSL), Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), Penn Central, and Conrail.
Dates
- Creation: 1931-1981
Extent
1.5 Linear Foot
Biographical Note
John "Jack" J. O'Brien (1932-) worked as both a railroad clerk and yardmaster for more than forty-four years. O'Brien started his career with the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Line (PRSL) in the early 1950s. The PRSL was a joint venture between the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Reading Railroad that operated along the New Jersey shore and through Philadelphia. Eventually, the PRSL became part of Conrail, the railroad from which O'Brien ultimately retired. As a yardmaster, O'Brien spent many years managing the larger yards in Camden, New Jersey.
Scope and Contents
This small collection documents policies and procedures for railroad employees at the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Line (PRSL), Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), Penn Central, and Conrail. The collection is arranged into five series by railroad company, with the fifth series titled Additional files.
Each series contains employee manuals, several of which focus on safety, hazardous materials, and general transportation rules. There is an exam for PRR air brakes that includes questions and answers. Additionally, there are assorted timetables, schedules, and other clerical items from the various railroads O'Brien worked for during his long tenure.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Additional Description
Provanance
Gift of Robert O'Brien, 2025.
Subjects
Related Names
Subject
- Pennsylvania Railroad (Organization)
- Penn Central Transportation Company (Organization)
- ConRail (Organization)
- Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (Organization)
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- John "Jack" J. O'Brien papers
- Author:
- Laurie Sather
- Date:
- 2025
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository