PERYHS Monograph 2: John L. Whitmeyer, Remembrances of the Pacific Electric Railway (Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society Monographs). Cet article n’est pas disponible.PERYHS Monograph 2: John L. Whitmeyer, Remembrances of the Pacific Electric Railway (Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society Monographs)

Welcome to the second monograph published by the late Jack Finn as part of his Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society historical documentation initiative. Featuring the late John L. “Jack” Whitmeyer, the monograph was created from interviews recorded on May 24, 1998. The focus of this volume is on the Pacific Electric’s Eastern District, where Jack grew up and spent much of his train-watching youth. Also known as the “Inland” or “Orange Empire,” the Eastern District remains one of the more interesting areas of the far-flung Pacific Electric interurban network.Jack Whitmeyer passed away July 5, 2012, surrounded by his surviving family members. He was much loved by all who knew him, and we honor his legacy by re-releasing this valuable monograph in softcover format for future generations of Pacific Electric fans to enjoy.

Jack Whitmeyer was born on August 26, 1921 in San Francisco. Early in his childhood, he developed a keen interest in all things running on steel rails, from mainline steam to “dinky” trolleys. He also had a passion for maritime history. Jack’s family moved from San Francisco to Riverside in 1934, where the young teen immediately began a self-described “love affair” with the Pacific Electric. Jack was a member of the Mount Rubidoux Chapter of the Railroad Boosters. Except for naval service during World War II and the Korean Police Action, Jack was employed for 34 years by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway’s Engineering Department, working in San Bernardino and los Angeles, California, and Winslow, Arizona. Jack and his wife Doris had three sons and many grandchildren. Doris was also a railfan, though she jokingly claimed she joined railfanning rather than fight it. Jack was well known in the Southern California railfan community for his friendly and generous personality as well as his meticulous knowledge of the Pacific Electric in particular and railroading in general. He was a member of both the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris and the Western Railway Museum in Rio Vista. He also served as a docent at the los Angeles Maritime Museum in San Pedro and actively participated in his church. Jack Whitmeyer passed away July 5, 2012, surrounded by his surviving family members. He was much loved by all who knew him, and we honor his legacy by re-releasing this valuable monograph in softcover format for future generations of Pacific Electric fans to enjoy.