Los Angeles once had the largest electric system in the world, the Pacific Electric. They ran the Red Cars.
Below is a video on how LA is using marketing and the idea of product development to improve its transit system.
Circular Bridge |
The Mt. Lowe Railway was a tourist railway built in the 1890s as a steam railroad. In 1901, the Pacific Electric bought the line and upgraded the track. The railroad was taken down during world war II because the rails were needed for the war. Not much remains of the line except a very nice path along the right of way.
Check out mtlowe.net's links page for a lot of great information.
Biltmore Hotel Downtown LA |
The old downtown of Los Angeles is still very much intact because of a decision to build a new downtown elsewhere in the city.
To learn more about the Pacific Electric, click here to learn more.
Also, the Los Angeles County MTA's Flickr Photostream has some beautiful photos.
Metrolink train at Santa Ana Station |
Metrolink is a commuter rail service that brings commuters from suburbs to Los Angeles.
Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California
This is an organization that meets every month to be traction enthusiasts. There is a lot of historical information on the site.
Tours in a Bygone Era: Electric Railways of Los Angeles
This site covers a lot on the Pacific Electric and the Los Angeles Railway. The site has pages with photos and text for most of the routes on the Pacific Electric and the Los Angeles Railway.
The Scenic Mt. Lowe Railway Historical Committee
"The Scenic Mt. Lowe Railway Historical Committee is a group of volunteers who work to preserve the remnants of the Mount Lowe Railway system in the San Gabriel Mountains / Angeles National Forest above Altadena, California" (website). This site also has a great links page at the bottom, which is necessary to view.
Explore LA with Huell Howser
Check out these really cool videos about cool places in Los Angeles. Includes Union Station!