This book and website is dedicated entirely to collectors. I want to help keep the collecting of railroad stocks and bonds FUN. And YOU can help by participating in the discovery. While other hobbies are very mature, this hobby is still quite new. I content that almost every collector can contribute new knowledge.

Believe it or not, I will almost guarantee that you can contribute to the knowledge of the hobby. You can join the impossible quest of cataloging every certificate out there.

I need your help because I cannot possibly do this alone.

	The hobby is too diverse.
	I will not live long enough.
	I do not have enough money.
	It would not be any fun.

Consequently, I need your help in three main areas:

	Contribute copies and images of certificates I have missed
	Contribute serial numbers
	Contribute information about "Questionable" companies and "Mysteries."

Believe it or not, most collectors have one or more certificates not listed in the database. The best way you can help is by sending a good color scan, or a good photocopy (xerox.)

Oftentimes, missing certificates may seem plentiful. The fact that they are not listed in the database may simply mean I have never seen a good photo. That happens very often with common certificates. In fact, some certificates are so common that dealers never show them in their catalogs, and so I never see them. (I personally own very few certificates.)

Also, be alert for minor varieties among common certificates. Here is a curious phenomena. Advanced collectors seldom look hard for variations among common varieties while beginners do! Over the years, many minor variations have been discovered by beginners, not experts.

I will stress this again. Most collectors, even raw beginners, almost always have something to contribute. And, so far, almost everyone who has tried to help has found something new to add.

I add hundreds of new serial numbers every month. However, it is a time-consuming chore. To save us both time, here are my criteria for adding serial numbers.

You may send serial numbers in any manner that is easiest for you. Photocopies and scans of certificates are best. Lists are good if you tell me which catalog numbers go with your serial numbers.

However, please do NOT send lists of serial numbers from eBay sales. Listing are so full of errors that it is not worth the effort.

Before sending scans, please read Hints on Scanning.

If you send photocopies, reduce certificates to fit on 8-1/2 by 11 paper. Ordinary black and white copies are perfect. There is no need for color copies. Make a note at the bottom about the color of your certificate. There is no need to write down sizes. There is no need to copy backs.

For serial numbers, handwritten or typewritten lists will work. If you prefer, you may send Excel, Lotus, Access, or Word files (PC format only) as well as text files and HTML files.

Unfortunately, I do not have the time or resources to research all the companies that might have been related to railroading. If you are a hobbiest who enjoys corporate research, please see a special page on Questionable companies .

Many of you are very, very serious about railroading. And many of you have discovered incredibly obscure facts about companies.

Please be aware that my PRIMARY concern is time.

As much as I like research, I simply do not have the time to research railroads, or record information in great detail. Remember, I am constantly tracking certificates from over 23,600 companies from Panama to the Arctic Circle. Information about certificates is my secondary objective, and time is my top priority.

Every other concern is of lower priority.

Yes, I keep some information about railroad companies, but it is very, very minimal. I appreciate any information you can give, but I only record:

	dates of incorporation
	dates of dissolution
	states of incorporation
	states of operation

If you are seeking detailed information about companies, I am not the right person to contact. I will help if I can, but I only have minimal information about specific companies. You might be advised to check some of the sources on this long list of references before writing.