more VGN AFE's

NW Mailing List nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Fri Apr 4 20:46:13 EDT 2008


And thank you, Tom, for the additional information.

Sam

----- Original Message -----
From: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
To: <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 1:56 PM
Subject: Re: more VGN AFE's



> AFE's are common on all US railroad and are a result of the ICC's ruling

> in 1915 that freight rates were to be based on the value of the railroads

> property (Thus is common to call much of this stuff Valuation records.)

> Those of us who have worked with this material refer to the ICC ruling as

> the "Accountants and Attorneys Full Employment Act of 1915)

>

> The RR's were required to document the value (cost) of their property.

> The higher the value - the higher the rate they were allowed to charge.

> Naturally the RR's wanted to maximize their rates so they tried to

> maximize the value of their property (buildings, rolling stock,

> locomotives, ballast etc.) The gov'ies naturally assumed that big

> business would puff or inflate or cook their books to achieve their higher

> desired number. Therefore the gov'ies (in the opinion of RR management)

> low balled the numbers provided to them.

>

> The result was tons of documentation and a centuries worth of hearings and

> litigation between each RR and the ICC. Great for accountants, lawyers

> and railroad researchers of the 21st century.

>

> The records left behind begin in 1916 and one of the most valuable are the

> Valuation studies conducted by independent teams of engineers and

> accountants. EVERY structure (including outhouses) was measured and

> general plans and often side elevations were made. Inventory of

> everything, yes everything, were also included. Usually a photograph was

> included of every major structure and bridge etc. In the Archives at

> Roanoke we possess the entire collection of N&W studies, including

> photographs from 1916. The VGN records have most of the studies but NO

> photos from these surveys.

>

> In order to keep an accurate and up to date accounting of the value of the

> road, the AFE process was institued and a Valuation Dept was established

> to keep track of every improvement and retirement of equipment. The

> manager of this department was an important figure.

>

> The AFE process could begin with field personnel submitting requests for

> new or better equipment or services. This paperwork flowed up through the

> approval process and was either rejected or approved. The project was

> tracked and upon completion the Valuation department updated the NUMBER.

> Often in the VGN's case, the researcher noticed that the project

> completion date was often months before the AFE approval date. Apparently

> field personnel were yet to be convinced of the important of proper

> paperwork. Often there are small location drawings included and rarely

> more detailed drawings. One in awhile manufacturers documents are in the

> file.

>

> Serendipity often ruled. One AFE was to spend $50 for office equipment

> while another was for millions to construct the Guyandotte River Branch.

> Of the 5000 in NWHS possession their sources vary. It appears that we

> received them in 1000 (or so) lots. Some from MOW offices, some from the

> engineers office, some from the valuation dept. and other odd lots and

> ends. Some are chock full of stuff and some are single sheets of paper

> with the AFE title and some signatures and dates.

>

> For the VGN enthusiast their value was immense because it is only recently

> that other material and drawings have come to light. Not too many years

> ago this AFE collection was literally all that was in the public record.

> As the NWHS Archives grew, both in collection size and stature (thanks Jim

> G. and all others) it became the magnet for all large VGN collections.

> Today Roanoke houses all the early Deepwater, Tidewater and VGN accounting

> books, all VGN property records (all property sales agreements including

> AJ Mullins), many locomotive maintinance records as well as a document

> labled "RFP".

>

> These RFP's are some of the most valuable items in the VGN collection

> because they begin in 1905 and are the Request for Proposal letters on

> every major construction project. Roadbed, bridges, stations and most

> have the original drawings included. (Some archive volunteers call this

> material Contract Acceptance files). Many have the losers bid included

> and there are many many manufactures drawings, specifications and promo

> literature attached. There are few documents relating to progress,

> performance nor monies spent after the contract date in these files).

>

> Tracking the AFE's and RFP's allows the researcher to follow along on the

> railroads issues and progress without even seeing the material. The

> Archives sells the VGN Reference CD -

> http://www.nwhs.org/commissary/cd.html

> which includes all 9000 AFE's in a searchable spreadsheet, along with all

> 800 or so RFP's in the collection (the RFP list was recently updated and

> the CD will soon follow with that update). Another tool is the Society's

> searchable database available on line.

>

> Even better, come to the Archive work sessions and get yourself really

> musty and dusty. You will learn a lot.

>

> Tom Salmon

>

>

> ________________________________________

> NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org

> To change your subscription go to

> http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-mailing-list

> Browse the NW-Mailing-List archives at

> http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-mailing-list/




More information about the NW-Mailing-List mailing list