Jim Sabol / Photos by Jim Sabol

Twenty-three hungry but happy members of the Olympia G.O.P.H.E.R.S. (Greater Olympia Prototype History & Engineering Research Society) gathered for an evening dinner meeting at Ranblin’ Jack’s restaurant on January 18.

The Olympia clinic has a January tradition of hosting a prototype railroader or prototype-themed presentation. January’s meeting was another winner.

Jim Younkins, Ted Eggleston, and Brian Ferris watch Dr. Jim and Carol Hannum autograph books.

Dr. James Hannum, M.D., author of Abandoned Railroads of Thurston County and South Puget Sound Railroad Mania (among others) entertained us with a PowerPoint presentation of obscure and long-gone rail lines in the South Sound. “Wow! I never knew that existed,” was a frequent comment from modelers upon learning that a long-gone logging railroad ran past their house. The beauty of Dr. Hannum’s books (published by Minuteman Press) is that they are so well documented, with maps and illustrations by Carol Hannum, that an interested railfan can drive right to the site to scope it out. “It’s a muracle,” said Ted Eggleston!

Up next month: Brian Ferris on Layout Design for Operation. 7:30 p.m., February 15, at the home of Chuck Ricketts.