The Montana Board of Railroad Commissioners was established by the Montana legislature in 1907. The board, consisting of three members elected statewide, was given the authority to set rates and establish regulations governing freight and passenger transportation within the state. All railroads owning, operating, or having any rail line in Montana were required to file annual reports. In addition the companies were required to report any accident, including time, place, names of injured and killed persons, and the value of property destroyed.
In 1913 the Board of Railroad Commissioners was made ex officio the newly created Montana Public Service Commission. In 1919 the Board also was made ex officio the Montana Trade Commission and the Montana Irrigation Commission. In 1971 the Montana Board of Railroad Commissioners was abolished and its work was taken over directly by the Public Service Commission.
From the guide to the Montana Public Service Commission Transportation Division records, 1907-1981, (Montana Historical Society Research Center)
