In 1998, Charles H. Shook Sr. and his wife Elizabeth (Betty) Drake Shook began assembling an O-gauge electric train collection in the basement of their home in Dobbs Ferry, New York. The Shooks embraced their hobby with dedication and zeal. When they offered their collection, named the Harwood Short Line Railroad, to the museum seven years later, it had grown considerably. As Chuck described his collection in a letter, it consisted of "a 20' by 20' toy train layout of towns, industrial areas, mountains and flat lands built around Lionel and related products.

Charles Harwood Shook was born in Kansas City, Missouri on October 19, 1926. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1948. Following his service, he worked for Kodak, Ford Motor Company, and the Williams Company. Shook returned to college and earned his master's degree and PhD in Accounting from Oklahome State University. Shook was an Accounting Professor for over 25 years at Mercy College. In June 1949 he married Elizabeth Drake Shook. They travelled the country together and were married for 70 years. Charles Shook Sr. died in September 2019.

Elizabeth 'Betty Ann' Drake Shook was born on April 2, 1927. She grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York and graduated from Mt. Holyoke College in 1949. Betty Ann was a Ruling Elder and a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church. She volunteered at the Red Cross, Community Kitchen, and Habitat for Humanity and participated in many garden clubs. Betty Ann died in November 2020.