TRAM TRAVELS

Postcard: Los Angeles Santa Monica Air Line with railcar 5084 near Santa Monica (1952)

Terminus: Santa Monica.
Archive: Henrik Boye.
Photographer: Donald Duke.
Publisher: Lyman E. Cox.
Date: August 1952.
City: Los Angeles (United States).

The picture shows

Pacific Electric Railway (PE)
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Los Angeles Santa Monica Air Line: Los Angeles - Santa Monica
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Los Angeles railcar 5084 (ex Los Angeles railcar 665), manufacturer St. Louis Car Co., type Los Angeles PE, series 650-699.

Description

Vanishing
Vistas

The "Hollywood" cars were the largest class of equipment on the Pacific Electric Railway. When built, this equipment was considered as the finest city cars in the nation. They not only enjoyed the longest lifespan of any Pacific Electric car type, but made many appearances in motion pictures.
The original cars were built by St. Louis Car Co. in 1922. They were such a success that the PE ordered cars 650-699 and 700-749. The 600 class coming from St. Louis Car and the 700's from J. G. Brill. The No. 5084 was formerly No. 665 in the original numbering scheme.
In 1939, after long consideration and in response to public clamor for better and modern equipment, the Pacific Electric undertook a major rebuilding program of the "Hollywood" type cars. The modernization included rebuilding the motors, installing revolving seats, modern interior light fixtures, electric marker lamps, and metal skirting to make the exterior appearance appear new. A striking new paint scherne using orange and silver decoration with the red car body, turned the class into entirely new suburban cars. This modernization program came in time for World War II, and without modern cars the PE would have been in horrible shape.
As patronage declined following World War II, the railroad undertook to convert many of the 600 class cars to one man operation. As this was completed, the road numbers were changed to the 5050 serie. Thus car No. 655 becoming No. 5084.
Inthis scene, photographed i August 1952, suburban car No. 5084 is operating on the Santa Monica Air Line Route. This line started at the 6th & Main Terminal and ran down the Southern Division 4-track main line to Amoco Junction, here it followed a direct freight belt line west to Santa Monica. It was named the "Air Line" as it was the most direct route between the two towns.
This line only saw service in the morning and evening commute hours.

Pacific Electric Railway

Postcard: Los Angeles Santa Monica Air Line with railcar 5084 near Santa Monica (1952)

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Last updated: February 15, 2024.