The series comprises of 103 files containing correspondence, documents, drafts, articles, publications, photographs and other material relating to the life and work of engineer Kenneth Cantlie. The file structure loosely follows Cantlie's timeline; from 1930s China to a career representing British industry in 1950s - 1960s and retirement and his later years in the 1980s. The later files CANT/1/68 - CANT/1/103 refer to Cantlie's early career in 1920s at the railways of Argentina and India.

Cantlie was an avid writer and collection includes a large body of material comprising of notes, articles drafts, opinion pieces and reports to various magazines, associations and his own publications on Chinese railways. He was in correspondence with various notable politicians, businessmen and personalities and the letters give an interesting insight to the trade, politics and attitudes of the time.