Accession: 2005-111
Extent: 6.3 linear feet
Restrictions: None
Copyright: Copyright has not been transferred to the University of Louisville.

Biography

John B. Fravert (1926-1998), known to all as "Jack," was in an enviable position to combine a life-long hobby with his profession. Jack was obsessed by railroading since his growing-up years in suburban St. Matthews just east of Louisville. The Fravert home sat just two blocks from the L&N Railroad main line to Cincinnati, where Jack took his earliest train photographs. W. A. Fravert, Jack's dad, was an L&N telegraph operator, and the elder Fravert's work at area depots and junction towers gave Jack more time for pictures.

Just after World War II, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army and trained at Fort Monmouth, N. J., as a Signal Corps photographer, that service helping him hone his skills with cameras. On his return to Louisville, Jack became the outside salesman for a major photo supply company; his territory covered Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and business trips allowed him to also visit and take photos at rail stations and facilities about the two states Again, through his father's L&N employment, Jack gained access to Louisville area rail shops and yards normally off limits to all but employees.

Over his lifetime, Jack shot perhaps 40,000 color transparencies of area railroading as well as countless black and white negatives. Many of the images were of railroaders at work as well as the engines, trains and stations they manned. All in all, it was an unequaled record of the regional and local rail transportation scene, much of it taken during the transition years when passenger trains were heavily patronized, when diesels replaced older steam power, and when new technologies - later to revolutionize the entire rail industry - were still on the horizon or were just being introduced.

Jack was always very generous with his photographic output, sharing rail images with railroaders and rail fans alike, and many of his pictures appeared in local and national rail publications. A selection of his color work of trains in and around Louisville was recently published by Morning Sun Books in two volumes, "Trackside Around Louisville, East and West."

Bio notes by Charles B. Castner, Louisville, and co-author (with Charles Buccola, John Campbell and Rick Tipton) of the "Trackside" books.

Scope and Content Note

These materials date from 1851 to 1979, and consist of records relating to railroads. The bulk of these materials are from either the Louisville and Nashville (L&N) or the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis (NC&StL) Railroads. This collection includes information on locomotives such as specification cards, tonnage tests, and train registers; employee-related information such as seniority lists and directories; company-related information such as correspondence; and passenger information including timetables and brochures. The collection also includes some maps. One map of Kenton County, KY (1914) was donated to Kentucky Historical Society.

Box List

Box 1

  1. Adams Express Co., L&N Railroad, Railway Express- Misc. Bills, Claim Tickets, Etc.
  2. American Locomotive- Book LG3, 3-cylinder locomotives,
  3. American Locomotive Co.- Locomotives, Steam/ "USRA" Specification Sheets
  4. Association of American Railroads- misc. booklets, rail history, industry survey
  5. Central Electric Railfan Bulletins
  6. Chesapeake & Ohio- (C&O) Coal mine directory: 1950
  7. C&O, Lex. & Eastern, L & - Misc. Correspondence
  8. Cincinnati, Newport & Covington Street Car System, "Northern KY Services" w/ 1920s Map
  9. Clippings L&N Magazine
  10. Clippings-Newspapers, Misc. Periodicals, Including L&N, Misc. Railroads
  11. Clippings, Louisville Evening News December 1917 Shepherdsville Collision (L&N)
  12. Excursions-Flyers, Hand-outs, Articles
  13. Family Lines-Misc. Brochures
  14. Ky. & Indiana Terminal RR; Grade Crossing Elim. Project 1930-31; Stock Certificate 1895
  15. Ky. & Indiana Terminal Railroad Co.- Ordinances, Lou & New Albany, IN. 1851-1946
  16. Ky. Railway Museum- Correspondence
  17. Louisville/City- Transportation Ordinance, 1941 (History, Modernization of System)
  18. Lima-Hamilton Historical Past 1869-1845 & Later, By J.E. Dixon L&N Booklets,
  19. Book About L&N (1923), L&N Private Builder and Public Servant (1946)
  20. Chesapeake and Ohio- F.F.V. Brochure, ca. 1898
  21. L&N-Annual Reports to Stockholders (#34) 1884-85; 1968
  22. L&N/Central Passenger Tariff Bureau/Station Tariff File-Daily Round Trip Fares
  23. L&N/Communications, Misc./Internal, Including Train Orders, Operator Reports
  24. L&N /Correspondence, Misc. Also With Railway Express (Internal)
  25. L&N-Correspondence, Misc. (Varied Dates) Forms with Correspondence Misc.
  26. L&N-Correspondence, Internal (misc. re-file?)
  27. L&N-Correspondence, Internal/Envelopes and Labels, Misc.
  28. L&N-Correspondence "Historic"-Chairman's Report, Surveys-Lou., E-town, "Proposal Main Line"
  29. L&N-Correspondence (Between Traffic Department & Misc. Railroads, Shippers)
  30. L&N-Directories, "Coal Mines & Coke Ovens", 1908-1912
  31. L&N-Employees/Seniority Rosters, Agents 1936-1962 Cincinnati Division/ LC&L Sub
  32. L&N-Employees-Seniority Rosters, Engineers/Lou. Div.-1963: Firemen/Cinci.Div/ LC&L, 1963
  33. L&N Employees/Seniority Roster, Signal Department, Louisville Division. 1950
  34. L&N Employee "Time Book"and "Operator's Log"
  35. L&N-Employee Payrolls, Payment Receipts
  36. L&N-"Engineers Agreement," Revised 1976
  37. L&N-Engineers Department/Template, Gauge Change Spiking, 1885
  38. L&N-Excursions, Including Flyers, Ticket, Misc. Tickets
  39. L&N Freight Bill of Lading (blank forms)
  40. L&N Freight and Passenger Equipment Register, July, 1890 (fragile)
  41. L&N-Freight Shipping Forms, Misc., Related Correspondence & Wires, Banana Messenger's Ticket
  42. L&N History Book, "Beginning of L&N," by T.D. Clark, 1933 (W.R. Cole-inscribed)
  43. L&N "History First 100 Years" by J.E. Tilford, 1951, from Adreess Newcomen Society
  44. L&N-History- publications, booklets
  45. L&N/ICC Hearing & Statement, S.R. Knott, Traffic Manager, 1888
  46. L&N, Lou, Ky Co., U.S. Railroad Administration-Labor & Misc. Agreements, Memberships
  47. L&N Magazine, March 1925 (1st issue)
  48. L&N-Locomotive Crew Pack (ca. 1970's) Cover for Employee Time Tables
  49. L&N-Locomotives, "Story Motive Power" (Booklets, '42, '57, '62), Roster 1942
  50. L&N-Locomotives, Misc. Drawings/Parts
  51. L&N-Locomotives/Steam, Inspection Reports (monthly), Roundhouse Repairs, Assignments
  52. L&N-Locomotives, Steam/Summaries, 1905, '10, '11
  53. L&N-Locomotives, Steam/Summaries, 1913/26
  54. L&N-Locomotives, Superintendent of Machinery correspondence, Locomotive Inspection Reports
  55. L&N-"Locomotive Unit Assignment-Report/Daily System"1968
  56. L&N-Maps/System, 1907 (counties) 1964
  57. L&N-Misc. Brochures, "C&EI, NC&STL Merger Proposals" "Hill Park Yard" (Atlanta)
  58. L&N-Misc. Bulletins & Circulars, Work Reports, Communicars
  59. L&N, News Kit, For Engine "General" -1962

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Box 2

  1. L&N-News Clips/Misc. Topics & Regular Events of Operation, Mostly from Kyiana Media
  2. L&N-Operations/Train Lineups/Movements, MN Tower (East Louisville, Ky) 1966
  3. L&N-Passenger Travel Brochures
  4. L&N-Passes (Forms & Related Correspondence)
  5. L&N-"Regulations/Union Continuous Automatic Train control, K&A Division," 1942
  6. L&N-Phone Directory/System, 1972
  7. L&N-Rule Books (Operating/1966, Signals) 1910, Track Inspection/1897
  8. L&N-Schedules, "Fast Freight Services", 1909,10,12 Schedule & Blocking Guide, 1968
  9. L&N-Special Movement Correspondence/Notice-"Sun Brothers Circus Cars" August 1910
  10. L&N-Stations, Ust #3-(6/1947) for Accounting Department
  11. L&N-Stock Certificates (Including Misc. Predecessors of L&N)
  12. L&N-Tariffs (Fares/Rates) Passenger Department, Misc. Lines/System
  13. L&N-Tariffs Passenger Department/ Misc. Routes
  14. L&N, Lou, Henderson & St. L.: Timetables (Cincinnati, Eastern Ky., Evansville, Lou & LH & St. L)
  15. L&N-Timetables, Passenger, 1895-1971
  16. L&N-Tonnage Tests, Steam Locomotives/ Misc. Runs, 1941, 42, 43
  17. L&N-Train Register, Covington/Latonia, Ky., 1936
  18. L&N-Tonnage Tests-Steam, Diesel M/Power, 1943-1951
  19. L&N-"Train Operations"/ "Situation Report" (System), 9/'73, 2/'76, 4/'76
  20. L&N-Train Orders & Clearance Forms, Register Cards
  21. L&N-Train Registers/ Movements, MN Tower, Louisville, Ky. -- February, 1966
  22. L&N-Train Registers, Shelbyville, Ky. -- 1957, 1965-66
  23. L&N-Valvation Sections/ Index & Drawings/ Layouts
  24. Maps-Ky, S. Indiana & Ohio, Gulf Oil Co., ca. 1920's Ky. Highway Map ca. 1940
  25. Map, Ky. & Tennessee, ca. 1860's (with Railroads)
  26. Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad (M-K-T) & Presidency of J.W. Barriger, (Pub. Clippings,
  27. 1965, 66); Au. "John Barriger," Feature with "Inside Track" Magazine, Fall, 1966 Railway Age Article, 5/66
  28. N.C. & St. L Pamphlet, Annual Report-1887, "Before Railroads, View of the South" (1847)
  29. NC & St.L Locomotives/Steam, Specifications to Builders
  30. NC & St.L-Timetable, Travel Brochure
  31. NC & St.L- Rule Book/ Operating Department 1906
  32. New York Central Locomotives, Steam/Inspection Reports Monthly
  33. NC & St.L Railway, Specification Card, Locomotives Numbers 1-3, & 6
  34. NC & St.L Railway Specification Cards, Locomotives Numbers 11-20
  35. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives Numbers 22-27
  36. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives Numbers 32-33 & 37-39
  37. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives Numbers 122, 125-130, 135
  38. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives Numbers 50-61
  39. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Loco. Numbers 74-77, 80-82, 85, 88, 92, 93, 96, 97
  40. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Loco # 100-109, 111-112, 115-116, 118-123, 125, 126
  41. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Loco # 130, 133, 135, 157, 160, 162, 165-203
  42. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives 200, 202, 204-229, 232-236, 249, 260
  43. Timetables, Public Railroads: ACL, B&O, C&O, L&N, ATSL.

Box 3

  1. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives 302, 373-380, 381-384, 385-389
  2. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives 418-424
  3. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives 606-609
  4. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives 653-671
  5. NC & St. L Railway Specification Cards Locomotives 900-902, 950-954
  6. NC & St. L. publications: charter, lease, by-laws
  7. Official Guide of Railway- June/ 1953
  8. Order of Railway Conductors-Benefits (Laws, Changes, Ins. Dept), Benefits Info
  9. Patent, Railroad Car Coupler, By Alvey M. Larus, 1898
  10. Proposal, Louisville Union Station, 1950, To Louisville Railroad Plans Commission
  11. Railroad Land Grants Legend/History-(Booklet) R.S. Henry, 1945
  12. Railroads-Area/Regional, National News Clips
  13. Railroads, North America & World-Color Prints, Atlas Editions
  14. Southern Railway Locomotives/Steam, Monthly Inspection Reports
  15. Tennessee/State, "Report to General Assembly-Condition of Railroads" Nashville, 1859
  16. Timetables, Air, & Bus/ Schedules, Eal/ Greyhound
  17. Timetable, Amtrak, 1974
  18. Timetable, Illinois Central, 1930
  19. Timetables, Interurbans, Louisville Area (L&E, L&I)
  20. Trains Magazine-March 1955-"L&N" issue
  21. Kentucky, Agricultural Bureau 11th Bi Annual Report 1895 Labor & Statistics
  22. Kentucky Railroad Commission Annual Report 1893
  23. L&E - Track Charts
  24. L&E - Track Charts

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Box 4

  1. Brotherhood, Locomotive Firemen & Enginemen, L&N System Quadrennial Reports 1937-1940
  2. Brotherhood, Locomotive Firemen & Enginemen, Quadrennial Reports L&N System 1941-1944
  3. Louisville, Cincinnati, and Lexington-Evaluation Louisville-Newport, Ky. 1877
  4. L&N Accounting Department, Classification of Misc. Accounts - 1914
  5. L&N Accounting Department, Classification of Accounts - 1908
  6. L&N Diesel Loco E-7 Type, Operating Manual (1945)
  7. L&N, "Messages & Addresses," J.B. Hill, President, 1932-1944
  8. L&N, New Orleans & Mobile Div, Pontchartrain RR Legislative History, Ordinances
  9. L&N, Rule Books-Operating, Transportation Departments 1887, 1892, 1909, 1933
  10. Kentucky Railroad Commission Annual Report, 1909

Box 5: Oversized item

  1. L&N Operating Dept Daily "Morning Situation Reports"

Box 6: Oversized items

  1. Contracts, City - Louisville with Street Car Systems, 1867
  2. LC&L Railroad, "East Louisville" Track Chart, ca. 1875
  3. Tariffs, Misc. Regional Railroads
  4. Freight Bills, LC&L, Correspondence/Rates, Glasgow Railroad
  5. L&N/Ky. Central Division, "Operations Reports," 1897
  6. L&N/Steam Locomotives, Inspection, Retirement Reports
  7. L&N Bulletin, "Completion- Main Line," Nov. 1859
  8. L&N-Employee/ Firemen's Seniority List, Louisville Division 1926
  9. Modern Railroads, "L&N issue," 2/1950
  10. Amtrak, "Floridian" Train, 5/1979
  11. "Southern Pacific" - WWII Era/ Fortune Magazine
  12. "General" - Photo Print
  13. "L&N Centennial" Special Louisville Times Edition 4-19-1950
  14. Eng. "General" Feature 4/1962

Box 7: Oversized items

  1. L&N "Steam vs. Diesel" Tests - Working Papers, Notes
  2. L&N "Steam vs. Diesel" Tests - Correspondence, Reports, & Summaries
  3. L&N "Steam vs. Diesel" Tests - Thermal Efficiency Reports (of Engine Boilers)
  4. L&N "Steam vs. Diesel" Tests - 1948-Trip Data, Loss from Dynamometer Car #41900

Box 8: Oversized items

  • L&N timetables 1897-1931
  • Report of the Railroad Commissioners of KY 1886, 1890, 1891, 1897, 1899, 1901, 1902, 1905, 1909

Oversized items stored in map cases:

  • Map: Eastern Jefferson County Planning & Zoning Map
  • Drawing: L&N Proposed Additional Freight Facilities Mobile Al. Revised 1898
  • Map: Louisville, KY & Its Environs, 1907
  • Map: U.S. Territories 1868
  • Map: City of Louisville 1925
  • Map: Kentucky Geological Survey Map 1889
  • Map: L&N Plat C, City of Pensacola FL


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