These records are primarily documents that were created for and during the meetings of the Capital Area Rail Council. They include agendas, minutes, correspondence and other communications, legal documents, and drawings for railway station upgrades. In addition, there are several files that describe the history of the council. The collection also contains numerous electronic files, many of which were also included in paper format.

This collection includes seventy six post cards that depict pictures of a variety of local and national topics. The topics include businesses, farming/agricultural tools, historic events, war, military, music, festivals, ceremonies, Native Americans, presidents, senators, governors, the University of Michigan, saw mills, logging, and transportation. It appears that Harry C. Hill, of Flint, Michigan, is the creator of most of the postcards.

In these reminiscences, Joseph Canavan recalls some of his experiences as a fireman for the Pere Marquette Railway Company (ca.1920). Canavan discusses his work, problems and conditions during a number of railroad trips in Southwestern Michigan.