Rail & Road Auctions is deeply honored to announce that we have been selected to handle the railroadiana collection of our late friend, Douglas W. McIntyre.
Doug was a wonderful friend to so many in this hobby, and his contributions to railroadiana collecting are difficult to overstate. His 1990 book, The Official Guide to Railroad Dining Car China, became an essential reference for collectors and remains one of the most important works ever published on the subject. Through his book, the newsletters that followed, and decades spent studying and collecting railroad history, Doug freely shared an extraordinary depth of knowledge with others.
But to us, Doug was much more than an author, collector, or authority. He was a friend to Rail & Road.
Doug could always be counted on to look over a catalog and point out something we had missed, offer an opinion on the authenticity or age of a piece, or provide the bit of historical background that brought an artifact to life. He was generous with his knowledge, generous with his time, and always willing to help. Our catalogs were better because of him, and so were we.
On a personal level, one of the things I miss most is hearing Doug call me “young man.” At 42, I am well aware that I have reached middle age, but by the standards of this hobby I am still often the young man in the room. Coming from Doug, it was always said with warmth and affection, and as someone entrusted with leading a company in a hobby built by generations before me, it meant more than he probably ever knew. I miss hearing it.
Doug built an extraordinary collection over a lifetime, surrounding himself with the railroad history he loved so deeply. He affectionately referred to his home as his “homeseum,” and it was an appropriate description. His collection reflects both the breadth of his interests and the depth of his knowledge, with exceptional railroad dining car china and silver, lanterns, badges, and many other pieces of railroad history.
Now it is time for that collection to begin its next journey and for these pieces to find a new generation of caretakers.
Rail & Road Auctions will offer the Douglas W. McIntyre Collection throughout 2027, beginning with selections in our January auction. Additional portions of the collection will be offered in auctions throughout the year.
Doug is deeply missed by his many friends throughout the railroadiana community. We are grateful for his friendship, grateful for everything he contributed to this hobby, and truly honored to have been entrusted with the collection he spent a lifetime building.
We look forward to sharing it with you.