Author Dr. Kenneth G. Johnsen has been called the YVTs godfather, savior, and world authority by Yakimas historic-preservation community. He began studying and photographing the railroad in 1966 and has amassed an extensive archive of YVT photographs. In 1973, Johnsen persuaded Yakimas City Council to bring streetcars back to the YVT and has operated them as a volunteer motorman ever since. He authored a previous book on YVT, Apple Country Interurban, and is president of the nonprofit Yakima Valley Trolleys organization.