A small notebook like this is a good way to keep track of what you shot where. You can get one from the RAILROAD.NET store right now!
	A slide with "basic" information.
	A slide with "detailed" information.
	Sharpie® extra-fine permanent markers are great for writing on a variety of surfaces- from paper and plastic slide mounts, to the backs of photographic prints.
	Using a rubber stamp is a good way to add the date to your photos in a consistent manner. They are available from most office supply warehouses.
	A Logan #200 single-level slide storage box is a great way to keep your slides safe, dry, and organized. They are available from most photographic supply houses.
	Examples of archival plastic storage pages, which you can keep in handy three-ring binders. Pages like these can be found in any photographic supply store.

By Otto M. Vondrak

If you're like me, you have hundreds of slides and photos of trains you have taken over the years. Taking pictures is a fun part of the railfan hobby. Not only is it a good way to get out and observe railroading in action, but also photography can be a rewarding hobby in itself. It's a great way to get out and explore locales you might not otherwise visit, and meet and hang out with people who share like-minded interests. But what do you do with all of those prints and slides when you're done? If you're like some people, you probably leave them in the envelopes and boxes they came in. Months or even years later, you may look at a photo and wonder, "Where exactly was this again?" or "Wow, this unit has a white roof… did I shoot this before or after the merger?" or maybe, "Where is that stack of photos from Tehachapi Loop where I saw the UFO?" If you want to pass on your collection to future generations, what will they be receiving? A bunch of random photos in a shoebox? Proper storage of your collection will make it more fun to look at and easier to enjoy and share with others for time to come. Here are some simple ideas that I have learned over the years.

The first step to ensuring the longevity of your collection is to make sure that your slides and photos are labeled properly. At the very least, they should all be marked with a date. I cannot stress enough the importance of dating your materials. A good way to keep track of this information is to keep notes when you go out and shoot. You may think, "Well, I'll remember when I get the slides back next week!" but you will be surprised how often you will forget, especially if you're not able to label your materials right away. Keep a small notebook to keep track of the date and location of each photo you take. A simple note like, "9/20, Catskill NY, CSX coal," should be enough to jog the memory. Some people also like to keep track of photographic data; such as what kind of film they were shooting that day, under certain conditions. Keeping a record like that can help you understand how certain films work under certain conditions, and can help you learn how to take better pictures.

My personal taste towards slide labeling falls between "basic" and "detailed." Most of my "basic" slides are labeled with the road name of the leading visible unit, the date, and the location. I don't get too worried if I don't write down the engine number, or note the engine model. That information can be had at any time by viewing the slide and checking it against a roster from that time period (here's why the date is so important). My "detailed" slides include road name, lead engine number, train number, date, location, direction of travel, and time of day (AM or PM). For some locations, I try to be as specific as possible, especially if the info is available. For instance, "Goodman Street Yard, Rochester NY," or "CP 5, Ridgefield Park, NJ" or "New York Post printing plant, 138th Street, Bronx, NY." If there is room, I try to make a note of anything else unusual or special about the photo, such as "NRHS Fall Foliage Excursion" or "Last RDC on the Danbury Branch" or "Former NYC Falls Road." From that information, someone in the future could put together a reasonable story or caption. However, not every slide requires that amount of information, so use your best judgment.

For both paper and plastic mounts, I like to use an extra fine Sharpie-brand marker. The ink dries quickly, and will write on any surface. When I was younger, I used a ballpoint pen to label my photo prints, which worked fine at first. However, when I stored these prints as stacks, the ink would rub off onto the next print, leaving smears on the photo. Always use a Sharpie, or some other brand of permanent marker. Test the marker on an extra print if you have any doubts.

When labeling your photos, print neatly and legibly. Consider purchasing a rubber stamp where you can change the date (like they use in libraries). If you don't use a stamp, try to spell out the name of the month whenever possible to avoid confusion (some people like to list the date the European way, with the day of the month leading). Labeling photos can be an arduous task if you shoot a large amount. Do you have stacks and stacks of unlabeled slides and prints? Get your notes, set up a tray, turn on the TV and label some slides while you watch the football game. You'll be surprised how many slides you get done. Just try not to send your slides flying when your team scores (or doesn't score)!

Storing your slides is an important consideration. Even sixty years later, Kodachrome (K-14 process) will appear as bright and vibrant as the day you shot it, if properly stored. Even modern Ektachrome-type (E-6 process) dyes will retain their color for years if stored properly. This means keep them out of the attic, out of the basement, and away from the storage space at Uncle Bob's. Treat your slides the same way you want to be treated- keep them cool and comfortably dry (Please visit Kodak's site for more specific information about the longevity of colors and chemistry). I like to use metal slide storage boxes from Logan, which are available from most photo supply houses. I prefer the No. 200, single-level box. I like to sort my collection by railroad, so I have a note on a little piece of tape fixed to the box that tells me which slides are contained inside. Some people sort their slides by location or by date. You have to find a system that works for you.

Up until a few years ago, I was still shooting mostly prints. I kept one large album that had all of my train photos arranged loosely by subject (stations, commuter trains, freight trains, etc.). Later on, I started several small albums that I sorted by region (Rochester Area, Buffalo Area, New York Metro, etc.). Either way you do it, you'll get much more enjoyment out of your collection of prints if they are in an easily accessible format like a binder or album. No one wants to be handed a stack of unedited prints to look at- and storing your prints in stacks could possibly lead to ink smears and other problems. Archival binders are a good way to access your print collection at a glance. You can make your own photo albums by purchasing plastic pages and sleeves to store your prints (and your negatives, too). You can purchase archival-quality plastic pages that won't leech color from your prints at any photo supply house. These pages will fit in any standard three-ring binder.

At some point, you may be called upon to submit some of your work to a magazine or book project. Most publishers will only accept slides or 8x10 prints to work from. Either way, not only do you want the correct railroad data on your photo, but also the correct photographer data. Always include your name, address, and possibly a telephone number. Sometimes photos get separated from cover letters, and you want to make sure your materials are returned to you (especially when submitting originals). You may want to consider getting a rubber stamp just with your name and address on it, or simply "©2003" with your name. It would also be a good idea to have on hand some archival slide pages for mailing and viewing. This allows you to organize all of your slides onto a page than can easily be viewed at a glance when held to the light. This also keeps your slides protected, and requires the minimum amount of handling of your material.

Hopefully these ideas will help you to better organize your photo collection so that it brings you enjoyment for many years to come.

Enjoy your collection, and truly make it your own record of your experiences.

Otto M. Vondrak, 26, is the Creative Director for RAILROAD.NET. Otto has been taking pictures of trains ever since he was strong enough to hold his dad's Konica by himself. Otto has been published in Railpace and Railroad Model Craftsman, and has stacks and stacks of unlabeled slides and prints that he needs to go finish now.