Some examples of how to search the catalogue are given below; these highlight just some of the ways that the archive could be used by prospective researchers. It is only a guide to help you get started, as each researcher will have their individual areas of interest.

For Company/Business History…

If you are looking to build a picture of the general history of the Caledonian Railway, then CRA2 would provide evidence of its expansion, the powers that were conferred upon it and the influence that it wielded. Of particular interest might be CRA2/2/2, which gives a flavour of how the company interacted with other contemporary railway and business organisations, and CRA2/1/3, which shows how the company used the powers given to it by the various Acts of Parliament. The books published by the Association (CRA1/7) and those held in the reference section (CRA1/8) and The True Line Journals (CRA1/5) can also supply you with further information about the broader scope of the Company’s history.

For Information on Locomotives…

There are several sections with information on Caledonian Railway Locomotives and their operation on the Caledonian Railway. The diagram books and technical reports in CRA3/4 contain the technical drawings and specifications of the locomotives built by the Caledonian at St Rollox. This is complemented by the drawings and plans in CRA6/1/3 and there is a vast collection of locomotive photographs in CRA7/1/3 that demonstrate how the Caledonian Locomotives looked in operation. The collection of rule books and operating instructions in CRA3/3 provide further information of how these trains were operated in practice.

For Family History…

The majority of the records do not necessarily lend themselves to family history. However there is a staff database, which is being continually extended as information is gained, that contains what details still exist of individual staff members (in CRA5/2). If you know the name of the person you are searching for, or where they worked, there may be a mention of them in parts of the official records, though these are more generic examples of records than comprehensive lists.

For Modelling the Caledonian Railway…

The section of drawings and plans contains accurate, scale drawings of CR rolling stock, and also details of the buildings, junction layouts and signals used at various parts of the line (CRA6). CRA3/7 contains more technical information on the considerable engineering work that underpinned the lines run by the Company. Information on the rugged nature of the terrain that the Caledonian Railway operated in can be found in the Maps section (CRA8), and the gradient charts (in CRA3/7/2)