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 contend that almost every collector can contribute new knowledge.

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

I need your help because I cannot 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 help in three areas:

	Contribute copies and images of certificates.
	Contribute serial numbers of certificates you own.
	Contribute information about "Questionable" companies and "Mysteries."

Believe it or not, most collectors have one or more certificates not listed in the database. The single 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 quite 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.

Also, be alert for undiscovered varieties among common certificates. Here is a curious phenomena. Advanced collectors seldom look hard for variations among common varieties but 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 an EXTREMELY time-consuming chore. To save time, here are my criteria for adding serial numbers.

You may send serial numbers in any manner that is easiest for you. I prefer scans or images of all certificates in order to post serial numbers. If sending photoocopies, please do not write across images. Lists of serial numbers are okay, but only if they come from YOUR collection.

I beg you in the strongest possible way, please do NOT send lists of serial numbers from eBay sales. There are simply too many certificates for sale on eBay. If I recorded every number on eBay, we'd have a very good database, but I would not have time for anything else. Moreover, without images, I cannot possibly rexamine certificates for errors or undiscovered varieties.

I know that many people would really like to help by sending eBay serial numbers. I truly appreciate the thoughts and willingness. However, I simply do not have the time. Instead, maybe you can help by sending higher quality information.

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. Please, do not write across images.

If sending lists of serial numbers without accompanying scans or copies, 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; time is my absolute top priority.

Every other concern is of lower priority.

Yes, I keep some information about railroad companies, but it is 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.