To answer GALs question about research, at least to some degree: Both Jim Hannum and Graydon Meints use a considerable amount of research material and facilities. I know that Jim uses Mr. Meints materials and I'm sure the opposite is true. Also, based on data that Jim has shared with me in the past, he uses just about any Michigan Railroad map he can get his hands on, annual reports from railroad companies, Aids, Gifts, Grants & Donations, and data published by railroads from his own and other peoples collections. Some of this is available in reprint on Amazon, some is available from Google Books and/or hathitrust.org. Quite a bit is available to view at UofM and MSU historical libraries and the State of Michigan Archives. UofM Digital Library has a fair collection of plat books. This only scratches the surface of their research.

I can't emphasize enough the value of the works by both authors. Mr. Meint's works are available from MSU Press and also from Amazon. I live and breathe with Michigan Railroad Lines, and Michigan Railroads and Railroad Companies and also have his Railroads for Michigan. I recently bought his five volume Michigan Railroad Atlas and am making good use of it. Limited quantities of Jim's new book, In the Pines are available from Amazon. It goes into a lot of detail for logging railroads.

If you don't own the works of these two, put them on your Christmas list.