Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
University Archives and Special Collections
15 Lippitt Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2011
Tel: 401-874-4632
email: archives@etal.uri.edu
Published in 2013
Collection Overview
| Title: |
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority |
| Date range: |
1891-2000, (bulk 1891-2000) |
| Creator: |
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority |
| Extent: |
9 box(es)
(3.75 linear feet)
|
| Abstract: |
The collection consists of business agent files, pamphlets, photographs, and other documents from the Union Railroad, Rhode Island Company, New Haven Railroad, United Electric Railways Company, United Transit Company, and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. |
| Language of materials: |
English |
| Repository: |
University Archives and Special Collections
|
| Collection number: |
Mss. Gr. 234 |
Scope & content
The Records of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority include an assortment of documents and ephemera from RIPTA's earliest inception as the Union Railroad up until RIPTA today. Documents include business agent files, operations manuals, ticket books, and other management-related documents.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in six series as follows:
- 1. Union Railroad
- 2. Rhode Island Company
- 3. United Electric Railways Company
- 4. United Transit Company
- 5. Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
- 6. Oversize and Ephemera
Historical note
The Rhode Island Public Transit authority first began in 1865 as a privately owned horse-operated system known as the Union Railroad. Transportation was rapidly transformed with the introduction of the electric trolley car in 1889. By 1902, the Union Railroad became the Rhode Island Company, and just four years late in 1906, became a part of the New Haven Railroad. Over the years, the transit system saw the rapid increase of services and passengers. In 1921, it was reorganized as United Electric Railways Company, only to be purchased in 1926 by the New England Power Company and Rhode Island Service Company. Soon enough, the system was reinvented as the United Transit Company in 1951 and several years later, buses replaced the trolley system. In 1964, the Rhode Island General Assembly created the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. Services began in July of 1966, ending the privatization of transit system in Rhode Island.
Access & Use
| Access to the collection: |
Any qualified person doing scholarly research is permitted to use material housed in the Special Collections Unit. |
| Use of the materials: |
Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication. |
| Preferred citation: |
Records of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, Mss. Gr. 234, University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections. |
| Contact information: |
University Archives and Special Collections
15 Lippitt Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2011
Tel: 401-874-4632
email: archives@etal.uri.edu
|
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION |
| Acquisition: |
The collection was given to Special Collections by Scott Molloy in July of 2009. Molloy collected and compiled the sources while he researched the history of transportation in Rhode Island. |
|
|
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|
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID |
| Author: |
Finding aid prepared by Abigail Casavant. |
| Encoding: |
Finding aid encoded by Abigail Casavant
2013 May 30, updated by Mark Dionne on 2020 March 31 |
| Descriptive rules: |
Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) |
Additional Information
Inventory
Inventory
Series 1. Union Railroad
The Union Railroad was the first horsecar company in Rhode Island. Amasa and William Sprague merged several already operating horsecar systems into the Union Railroad in 1865. Eventually, technology replaced the horses, and the electric trolley was introduced in 1893. This series contains ordinances, petitions, photographs, and other original documents from the Union Railroad.
| Box 1, Folder 1 |
|
Annexation of "An Act Requiring the Providence Cable Tramway Company and the Union Railway Company to Make Additional Payments for the use of Certain Streets in the City of Providence
|
|
1893 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 |
|
Appendix to the Report of the Committee on Railroads
|
|
1891 |
| Box 1, Folder 3 |
|
Appendix to the Report of the Committee on Railroads
|
|
undated |
| Box 1, Folder 4 |
|
Argument of Nelson W. Aldrich, President of the Union Railroad Company, Before the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives in Petition of the City of Providence to AMEND THE Charter of the Union Railroad Company and Compel it to Grant Transfers
|
|
1896 Apr 27 |
| Box 1, Folder 5 |
|
Horse Railroad Mutual Benefit Association
|
|
1887 |
| Box 1, Folder 6 |
|
Invitation to Opening of Electric Road
|
|
1892 |
| Box 1, Folder 7 |
|
Lease: Union Railroad Company to the Rhode Island Company (photocopy)
|
|
1902 |
| Box 1, Folder 8 |
|
An Ordinance Permitting the Union Railroad Company to Lay Nails in Cetrain Struts
|
|
1882 Apr |
| Box 1, Folder 9 |
|
An Ordinance Permitting the Union Railroad Company to Lay Rails and to Erect Poles and Wires in Certain Streets
|
|
1895 Apr 19 |
| Box 1, Folder 10 |
|
An Ordinance Permitting the Union Railroad Company to Lay Rails and to Erect Poles and Wires in Francis Street
|
|
1894 Sep 26 |
| Box 1, Folder 11 |
|
An Ordinance Permitting the Providence Cable Tramway Company to use the Overhead Trolley Electric System in the Operation of its Cars
|
|
1894 Oct 19 |
| Box 1, Folder 12 |
|
An Ordinance for the Regulation of Hacks, Omnibuses, Drays, Trucks, Reported by the Standing Committee on Police
|
|
1864 Aug 8 |
| Box 1, Folder 13 |
|
An Ordinance in Relation to Railroads, Reported by the Standing Committee on Railroads
|
|
1864 Nov 28 |
| Box 1, Folder 14 |
|
Petition Against Laying Rails on Canal Street
|
|
1866 Nov 26 |
| Box 1, Folder 15 |
|
Petition for an Amendment of Charter (photocopy)
|
|
1882 |
| Box 1, Folder 16 |
|
Petition of the League of American Wheelmen et al, to the City Council, to Compel the Union Railroad Company to place upon their cars, such appliances as will wholly prevent the dripping of oil or grease from said cars upon the pavements of the streets
|
|
1894 Jul 2 |
| Box 1, Folder 17 |
|
Petition of the Union Railroad Company for a repeal of the special tax for use of struts
|
|
1871 Apr 15 |
| Box 1, Folder 18 |
|
Photographs
|
|
1895 |
| Box 1, Folder 19 |
|
Reports (photocopies)
|
|
1870, 1891 |
| Box 1, Folder 20 |
|
Report of Committee on Railroads on the Petition of Union Railroad Company for Relief from Special Tax for use of Streets
|
|
1864 Aug 8 |
| Box 1, Folder 21 |
|
Report of the Joint Committee on Railroads Relative to Car Fenders
|
|
1896 |
| Box 1, Folder 22 |
|
Resolution Exonerating Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls Railroad Company from Payment
|
|
1868 Apr 15 |
| Box 1, Folder 23 |
|
Taxes Under the Franchise to use City Streets
|
|
1892 |
| Box 1, Folder 24 |
|
Union Railroad Company Appeal to General Assembly, Legislation to Upgrade all Lines to Electric Railways "Franchise Act"
|
|
1892 |
| Box 1, Folder 25 |
|
Union Railroad Co. Electric Street Railway Double Track Proposal, Francis Street Providence
|
|
1894 |
| Box 1, Folder 26 |
|
Union Railroad Company, Tickets, Timetable, and Stock Share
|
|
1868, 1884 |
Series 2. Rhode Island Company
The Union Railroad became the Rhode Island Company in 1902. By this time, all horsecars had been replaced with electric trolleys and the system was operating across many parts of Rhode Island. This series contains documents such as annual reports, repair s and updates correspondence, and photographs.
| Box 2, Folder 1 |
|
Agreement made Between the NY, New Haven, and Hartford Railway Company (New Haven Company) and the RI Company
|
|
1914 Oct 14 |
| Box 2, Folder 2 |
|
Annual Report of the Rhode Island Company
|
|
1914 |
| Box 2, Folder 3 |
|
Contract made June 24, 1902 Between the United Traction and Electric Company and the Rhode Island Company
|
|
1902 Jun 24 |
| Box 2, Folder 4 |
|
"Critical Times for Rhode Island Trolley Lines" The Providence Sunday Journal
|
|
1920 Aug 29 |
| Box 2, Folder 5 |
|
Glocester Trolley Day Programme
|
|
1914 Jul 25 |
| Box 2, Folder 6 |
|
Rhode Island Company, News Clippings
|
|
1910 |
| Box 2, Folder 7 |
|
Organization Plan for the Guidance of the Electric and Appointive Offices of the RI Company
|
|
1914 |
| Box 2, Folder 8 |
|
Photographs
|
|
undated |
| Box 2, Folder 9 |
|
Repairs and Update Correspondence
|
|
1918-1921 |
| Box 2, Folder 10 |
|
Rhode Island Company By-Laws 1914
|
|
1914 |
| Box 2, Folder 11 |
|
Rhode Island Company Fare Chart, Time Slips, Freight Bills, Tickets
|
|
1902-1912 |
Series 3. United Electric Railways Company
The United Electric Railways Company lasted from 1921-1951. By this time, trolleys were operated by a single person who drove and collected fare, and passenger rates had declined. Buses began replacing trolleys by 1922 and by 1948 trolleys had disappeared from the streets of Rhode Island. This series contains news clippings, photographs, engineering and repairs correspondence, equipment documents, and a variety of reports.
| Box 3, Folder 1 |
|
Annual Report of United Electric Railway Company to The Public Utilities Commission of the State of Rhode Island
|
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1929 |
| Box 3, Folder 2 |
|
Buttonwoods Notes
|
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1932 Sep 12 |
| Box 3, Folder 3 |
|
Cancelled Trolley Tariffs
|
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1949 |
| Box 3, Folder 4 |
|
Durfee, William - Articles Re: History of URR and RI Company
|
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1944 |
| Box 3, Folder 5 |
|
Employee Lists, United Electric Railway
|
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1947 |
| Box 3, Folder 6 |
|
In the Matter of The Arbitration between UER Company and Providence Division # 618 of AASEREA
|
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1925 |
| Box 3, Folder 7 |
|
Jepson, Ben, 55 Year Employee of UER
|
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1924-1933 |
| Box 3, Folder 8 |
|
News Clippings, Wonson, Richard
|
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1894-1927 |
| Box 4, Folder 9 |
|
Notes and Excerpts, Wonson, Richard, Re: History
|
|
1940 |
| Box 4, Folder 10 |
|
Notes Re: RI Company and United Electric Railways, Wonson, Richard
|
|
undated |
| Box 4, Folder 11 |
|
Operating Procedures, United Electric Railways Company
|
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1935-1949 |
| Box 4, Folder 12 |
|
Petition for the regulation of Jitneys and Motor Vehicles and Public Safety
|
|
undated |
| Box 4, Folder 13 |
|
Photographs
|
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1939-1949 |
| Box 4, Folder 14 |
|
"Providence: Last Run for UER Trolleys," Wonson, Richard
|
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1948 |
| Box 4, Folder 0 |
|
"Providence Modernized" H.G. Morris
|
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1938 Nov 15 |
| Box 4, Folder 15 |
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"The Southern New Englander," Re: UER
|
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1940 |
| Box 4, Folder 16 |
|
Track Department
|
|
1933, 1946 |
| Box 4, Folder 17 |
|
Track Relocation, Correspondence and Blueprints
|
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1929 |
| Box 4, Folder 18 |
|
United Electric Railways Assn. Fare and Traffic Study, Pawtucket RI
|
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1932 |
| Box 4, Folder 19 |
|
UER Appraisal
|
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1930 |
| Box 5, Folder 20 |
|
UER Articles
|
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1929, 1944, 1948, 1949 |
| Box 5, Folder 21 |
|
UER Bowling League Banquet
|
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1923 Apr 19, 1947 Apr 17 |
| Box 5, Folder 22 |
|
UER Comparison of Jobs on the Property and Company Summary
|
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1937 |
| Box 5, Folder 23 |
|
UER Employee Passes
|
|
1946-1951 |
| Box 5, Folder 24 |
|
UER Engineering and Repairs Correspondence
|
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1921 Aug 16-21 |
| Box 5, Folder 25 |
|
UER Engineering and Repairs Correspondence
|
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1922 Jan 20-Dec 9 |
| Box 5, Folder 26 |
|
UER Engineering and Repairs Correspondence
|
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1923 Jan 10-1927 Aug 1 |
| Box 5, Folder 27 |
|
United Electric Railway Files, Richard L. Wonson
|
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1933-1951 |
| Box 5, Folder 28 |
|
UER, Motor Buses H.O.Wells
|
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1929 Mar 7 |
| Box 6, Folder 29 |
|
United Electric Railway News Clippings
|
|
1935, 1941-1949 |
| Box 6, Folder 30 |
|
United Electric Railways Operation
|
|
1928 |
| Box 6, Folder 31 |
|
UER Platform Men in Service
|
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1922 |
| Box 6, Folder 32 |
|
UER Property (history)
|
|
1891-1950 |
| Box 6, Folder 33 |
|
UER Rails Equipment Wells Report
|
|
1929 Jun 12 |
| Box 6, Folder 34 |
|
UER Rail Lines Revenue and Expenses and Miscellaneous Statistics
|
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1932 Dec 31 |
| Box 6, Folder 35 |
|
UER Rail Lines, Revenue and Expenses, and Miscellaneous Statistics
|
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1933 Dec 31 |
| Box 6, Folder 36 |
|
UER A Report and Recommendations in the Matter of Schedules , Morris and Thorsen
|
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1936 Nov 20 |
| Box 6, Folder 37 |
|
UER Report on Street Car Equipment, United Electric Railways H.O. Wells
|
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1929 Jun 12 |
| Box 6, Folder 38 |
|
United Electric Railways Reports
|
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1937 |
| Box 6, Folder 39 |
|
United Electric Railways Reports
|
|
1939 |
| Box 6, Folder 40 |
|
UER Summary of 1933 Operations
|
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1934 Feb 5 |
| Box 6, Folder 41 |
|
UER Transfer Forms, Daily reports, Stock Certificates
|
|
undated |
| Box 7, Folder 42 |
|
United Electric Railways Company, Various Problems 1934-1938, Statistics and Progress 1930-1939
|
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1930-1939 |
| Box 7, Folder 43 |
|
Tickets and Passes
|
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1935-1946 |
| Box 7, Folder 44 |
|
Work Journal
|
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1936-1941 |
| Box 7, Folder 45 |
|
Working Lists and Schedules
|
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1930-1950 |
Series 4. United Transit Company
The United Transit Company replaced the United Electric Railways Company in 1951. By this time, all trolleys had been replaced by buses. While these buses were considered "trackless trolleys" these too were soon replaced by electric buses. This series contains photographs, news clippings, and employee passes, many of which were collected by former employee Richard Wonson.
| Box 7, Folder 1 |
|
"The Diesel Coach: What you Should Know" United Transit Company
|
|
undated |
| Box 7, Folder 2 |
|
Photographs
|
|
undated |
| Box 7, Folder 3 |
|
Revised Transfer Form, United Transit Company Providence R.I. Globe Ticket Company
|
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1959 Jul 24 |
| Box 7, Folder 4 |
|
Riccio, Augustine to Wonson, Richard, Re: Rhode Island Company
|
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1966 |
| Box 7, Folder 5 |
|
Fare Studies, United Transit Company
|
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1953, 1954, 1961-1962 |
| Box 7, Folder 6 |
|
United Transit Company Tickets and Employee passes
|
|
1953-1956 |
| Box 7, Folder 7 |
|
United Transit Company
|
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1962 |
| Box 8, Folder 8 |
|
United Transit Company News Clippings
|
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1952-1959 |
| Box 8, Folder 9 |
|
United Transit Company News Clippings
|
|
1960-1962 |
| Box 8, Folder 10 |
|
United Transit Company News Clippings
|
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1963-1968 |
| Box 8, Folder 11 |
|
UTC Ratio of Fare and Transfer Instructions
|
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1956, 1958 |
| Box 9, Folder 12 |
|
Wonson, Richard, Strike Threat and Settlement Contract News Clippings
|
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1958 Mar |
| Box 9, Folder 13 |
|
Wonson, Richard, U.T.C. 1964 Strike News Clippings
|
|
1964 |
Series 5. Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority was created in 1964 and began service in 1966. For the first time in the state's long history of transportation, the transportation system became publically owned. RIPTA still operates the public transportation system in Rhode Island. This series contains photographs, news clippings, and an assortment of other documents.
| Box 9, Folder 1 |
|
An Act Creating the Rhode Island Transportation Authority
|
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1964 Jan 29 |
| Box 9, Folder 2 |
|
Agreement Between Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and Providence Division No. 618 of the ATU
|
|
1976 Jan 1 |
| Box 9, Folder 3 |
|
Employee Passes
|
|
1968-1978 |
| Box 9, Folder 4 |
|
Flyers and Invitations
|
|
2000 |
| Box 9, Folder 5 |
|
Intermodal Transit Passenger Waiting Facility, Kennedy Plaza
|
|
2000 |
| Box 9, Folder 6 |
|
Newsclippings, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
|
|
1967-1972 |
| Box 9, Folder 7 |
|
Newsclippings, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
|
|
1968-1970 |
| Box 9, Folder 8 |
|
Operator and Fare Manuals
|
|
1975, 1981 |
| Box 9, Folder 9 |
|
Photographs
|
|
undated |
| Box 9, Folder 10 |
|
"Report to the People," Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
|
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1977 |
| Box 9, Folder 11 |
|
RIPTA Index, Providence Journal and Evening Bulletin
|
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1967-1971 |
| Box 9, Folder 12 |
|
RIPTA Timeline
|
|
undated |
| Box 9, Folder 13 |
|
Tickets and Schedules, RIPTA
|
|
1976-1981 |
| Box 9, Folder 14 |
|
Report on Financial Statements
|
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1972 Jun 30 |
Series 6. Oversize and Ephemera
This series contains all oversize photos, newspapers, and posters from the RIPTA manuscript collection. It also contains some of the oversize images and news clippings from the Division 618 collection and Arthur Riani/Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen collection.
| Box 1, Folder |
|
Album No. 1, United Electric Railways Scrapbook
|
|
undated |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
Album No. 2, United Electric Railways Scrapbook
|
|
undated |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
Album No.3, United Electric Railways Scrapbook
|
|
undated |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
United Electric Railways 8x10 Photo Scrapbook
|
|
undated |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
United Electric Railways Photo Scrapbook
|
|
undated |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
United Transit Company Photo Scrapbook
|
|
undated |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
Book of Rhode Island Transportation Tokens
|
|
1923-1971 |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
Book of Rhode Island Trolley and Train Timetables
|
|
1886-1942 |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
Book of Rhode Island Trolley Tickets
|
|
1892-1963 |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
RIPTA Bus Signs
|
|
undated |
| Box 1, Folder |
|
V.H.S. United Transit Company Silent Film and Clips
|
|
undated |
| Box 2, Folder |
|
Oversize Photos and Posters
|
|
1910-1976 |
| Box 3, Folder |
|
Bus Route Roll with City Names
|
|
undated |
| Box 4, Folder |
|
Bus Route Roll with City Names
|
|
undated |
| Box 5, Folder |
|
RIPTA Driver Badge
|
|
undated |
| Box 5, Folder |
|
RIPTA Instructor Badge
|
|
undated |
| Box 5, Folder |
|
RIPTA Instructor Badge
|
|
undated |
| Box 5, Folder |
|
RIPTA Operator Badge
|
|
undated |
| Box 5, Folder |
|
United Electric Railways Company Bus Lines Badge
|
|
undated |
| Box 5, Folder |
|
United Electric Railways Company Jimmy Quinn Badges
|
|
undated |
| Box 5, Folder |
|
United Electric Railways Inspector Badge
|
|
undated |
| Box 5, Folder |
|
United Electric Railways Starter Badge
|
|
undated |
| Box 5, Folder |
|
United Transit Company Badges, Phil O'Neil
|
|
1976 |
| Box 6, Folder |
|
RIPTA Ticket Books
|
|
1890-1981 |
| Box 7, Folder |
|
RIPTA Ticket Books
|
|
1890-1981 |
| Box 8, Folder |
|
RIPTA Ticket Books
|
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1890-1981 |