How to search for O&W large documents in the list:

Note: The displayed list is fairly wide. Depending on the size of the screen on your PC, you may not see it all at once. If so, use the pan control at the bottom of the window to view the entire width of the list.

Type a word or part of a word in each of one or more of the boxes above the table, and click on Submit Query.  Typing into those boxes will display only those documents where the words or partial words you typed are contained in the corresponding columns of the table.

Here are some example searches to try:

Next to Subjects, type one of these: cattle, wye, or creamery to find out some of the places where those things were located (including some surprises)

Type unbuilt for Subjects to see some of the routes that were planned but never built

Type bridge for Subjects, and roscoe for Searchable_Locations for miscellaneous interesting drawings

Type engine for Subjects, and cadosia for Searchable_Locations

Type DL&W for Other_RRs

Next to Subjects, type one of these: chart, dispatcher, or loco and see what comes up

Although entering words for the Document_Title or Notes columns can sometimes be useful, the more important columns are Subjects, Locations, and Other_RRs because those three columns contain validated data, meaning each entry in those columns has been checked for correct spelling and matches items in specific validation lists.

The data validation makes the searches reliable, but of course you need to spell things correctly, and to do that, you need to know exactly what words are valid (Note that you don't have to worry about upper or lower case -- the search doesn't care).

The trickiest validation list is the one for Subjects because they're chosen and named arbitrarily.   CLICK HERE for a table that shows the valid subject words, and what they apply to.

The locations list is straightforward, and in milepost sequence within each division or branch. It shows the more important locations on the O&W. If you are interested in a location that isn't on the list, type in the valid location nearest to the one you're interested in (if you're not sure which is closest, try both adjacent locations). To eliminate any confusion with names such as Mountainview vs. Mountain View, all names are done with no spaces. To do the same for places that may or may not have apostrophes, no apostrophes are used. The list also includes "Standards", which is for drawings of track parts, tool sheds, etc used all over the railroad, so don't forget to try that "location" when searching for such things.   CLICK HERE for the list of valid locations.

The Other_RRs list is the simplest, and includes predecessor railroads for flexibility.   CLICK HERE for the list of valid other railroads.

Note that, because the columns in the table only need to contain what you typed, you do not even have to type the entire word from the list. That can be a little confusing, but you can also use it to your advantage. For instance, instead of typing TrackMap or RouteMap for Subjects, just typing map will give all the different types of maps.

You can see a small preview of the document by clicking on the link in the Preview column.

Copies of the listed documents are available. If you would like to order any, first CLICK HERE to download the order form. Then identify each desired document by highlighting the whole link in the Preview column by starting to the right of .jpg, holding down the left click, and sweeping over the entire link. Once it is all highlighted, do a copy, and then paste it into the Document ID column in the form. The form will calculate the prices for the copies and for the postage. Fill out the rest of the form, print it, and mail it with a check to the address at the bottom of the form.

Note: If you don't have Excel, copy and paste the links in the preview column into any text editor, such as Notepad or Wordpad, and print out the results.  Make a note of each price, and add them up, along with the required postage (Orders under $10.00 add $4.00 -  $10.00 - $50.00 add $6.00 - Over $50.00 add $8.00) and write a check for the total amount to O&WRHS.  Mail it and the printed list of documents to:

Ontario & Western Ry. Historical Society
P.O. Box 713
Middletown, NY 10940-0713

Note: The above steps use Copy and Paste, which are powerful editing tools, but a little tricky.   CLICK HERE for a web page that explains how to do Copy and Paste.

If you have any questions or problems, email Jeff Otto at jeffotto@aol.com