"This volume explores the colorful stories of a lifelong railfan and founding member of the Orange Empire Traction Company (today, the Orange Empire Railway Museum or OERM).

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.