LUCIUS BEEBE AND Charles Clegg traveled from coast to coast in their search for interesting and creative photographs for their books. Although born in the East, they seemed most fascinated with western lines.

They especially admired the Virginia & Truckee, a Nevada short line built to serve mines at Virginia City, Nevada. The V&T embodied all the classic Beebe and Clegg elements, especially their mutual love of the Old West and traditional steam railroading.

The partners spent a day at the Sierra Railroad, now Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California. They visited the Southern Pacific narrow gauge in the Owens Valley and photographed steam locomotive no. 18 which has been restored to
operating condition.

They admired narrow-gauge lines for their austere, down-home characteristics, but in southwestern Colorado they were able to organize a grand tour of the Rio Grande Southern in lavish style, with fine wines, full cooperation from railroad officials, and extensive press coverage. They encouraged tourists to visit the Durango to Silverton line, helping
preserve it for today’s visitors.

Their coverage of southern short lines brought documentation of “Jim Crow” cars, which had a baggage/express section in the middle and separate seating for blacks and whites on each side.

Despite their admiration for the small and historic, they did not neglect the main lines and provided coverage of what is now the Northeast Corridor, the busy route from Washington, D.C.,
to New York City and Boston. Overall, they produced an enviable look at American railroading.