Los Angeles

Downtown Los Angeles

The old downtown of Los Angeles is still very much intact because of a decision to build a new downtown up on Bunker Hill, which looks down upon the old downtown. Bunker Hill was originally a residential area and residents used Angels' Flight to get downtown.

A visit to old Los Angeles

A page about trolleys

PE Maps

Metrolink

Metrolink is a commuter rail service that brings commuters from suburbs to Los Angeles.

Maps

Take a look at these maps of Los Angeles and other cities around the world. Make sure you play with the opacity, which allows you to view the old map on top of the satellite view.

• Los Angeles Railway Electric Car and Bus Routes
• Pacific Electric System Map (1925)
• Official Route Map of the Los Angeles Railway (1935)
• Thurston's Auto Road Map (1942)
• Official Route Map of the Los Angeles Railway [Front] [Back] (1942)
• Official Route Map of the Los Angeles Railway [Front] [Back] (1945)
• Route Map and Guide for Going Places [Front] [Back] (1947)
• Route Map and Guide for Going Places (1952)

Pacific Electric

Los Angeles once had the largest electric system in the world, the Pacific Electric. There were over 1,000 miles of track, but by 1963, they were all gone. Metro, LA's current transportation agency has taken giant leaps in the last few years by combining marketing and good service. Below is a video on how LA is using marketing and the idea of product development to improve its transit system.

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.

Another video on transit marketing:

The Lines of the Pacific Electric

Mt. Lowe Railway

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 dismantled 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.

Film

Los Angeles Streetcars - The Twilight Years

Pentrex
30 mins

Los Angeles Streetcars - The Final Years

Pentrex
35 mins

Trailer

This Was Pacific Electric

By Sky City Productions
90 mins

Pacific Electric Vol 1 - Southern District

Transit Gloria Mundi - Catenary Video Productions
70 mins

Pacific Electric Vol 2 - Western District

Transit Gloria Mundi - Catenary Video Productions
70 mins

Pacific Electric Vol 3 - Northern District

Transit Gloria Mundi - Catenary Video Productions
70 mins

Links

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!