This collection contains materials--mostly railroad-related--compiled by Wayne Perkins, a Wytheville, Virginia pharmacist and railroad enthusiast. The collection contains a wide array of materials--including business records, memorabilia and photographs--relating to a number of North American railroads. Significant among the materials are several items relating to early 19th-century railroads. The collection concentrates largely on the Norfolk & Western Railway, including ephemera produced by the company and materials produced by others about the company. The collection also includes assorted papers relating to various individuals and families (most from southwestern Virginia), apparently accumulated by Perkins in the course of collecting railroad materials. Also included are files relating to Perkins' involvement with various railroad enthusiast organizations, his model train hobby, and assorted personal papers.