A collection amassed by a retired conductor successively employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, Conrail and Amtrak. It consists partly of company publications and documents collected on the job, and partly of advertisements, timetables, brochures, maps and other railroadiana from many different companies bought from dealers and other collectors. It is particularly useful for the Amtrak manuals relating to things like consumer satisfaction, employee health and safety and equipment maintenance.

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.