The collection represents the files of William W. Kratville of Passenger Transportation Consultants, which contracted in the early 1980s with the California Department of Transportation to review the development and design of new bi-level passenger cars for use on the San Francisco-San Jose Caltrain commuter line.
Scope and Content
The designs for new bi-level passenger cars were produced by Sumitomo Corporation of America and Nippon Sharyo under contract with the State of California. The collection consists of photocopies of correspondence among Passenger Transportation Consultants, the Department of Transportation and Sumitomo Corporation; minutes of meetings; and reports by Passenger Transportation Consultants, Sumitomo Corporation, other consultants and suppliers of parts and equipment. Also included are blueline reproductions of drawings and schematics of the equipment. The collection contains some information on motive power and then existing Southern Pacific bi-level commuter coaches as well.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research at our off-site storage facility with one week's notice. Contact Library & Archives staff to arrange for access.