Pacific Electric 717 awaiting departure next to an old Santa Fe FP-45. It’s such a shame so many people don’t know about the old red cars. Pacific Electric at one point operated the largest electric railway in the country (maybe the world) here in Southern California. LA’s sprawl was not always built for the car, it essentially started as one big streetcar suburb. PE ultimately ended passenger services in the 50’s for a number of reasons. Even as early as the 20’s many people were opting for the freedom of a personal car, and the increased traffic started slowing the streetcars down significantly within the city.
Built in Philadelphia in 1925, this particular car was part of the “600 series”, and is definitely PE’s most recognizable car style. These models also enjoyed the longest lifetime in service, from the 1920’s all the way through the 40’s. Many of these cars were modernized starting in 1939, where they took on the iconic red and orange paint scheme, but this is what they looked like back in the 20’s. Thank God for the orange empire railway museum out in Perris, which has preserved and restored some of the only PE stock left in existence. Most of these cars were scrapped, and some were even dumped off the coast.
Pacific Electric 717 awaiting departure next to an old Santa Fe FP-45.
It’s such a shame so many people don’t know about the old red cars. Pacific Electric at one point operated the largest electric railway in the country (maybe the world) here in Southern California. LA’s sprawl was not always built for the car, it essentially started as one big streetcar suburb. PE ultimately ended passenger services in the 50’s for a number of reasons. Even as early as the 20’s many people were opting for the freedom of a personal car, and the increased traffic started slowing the streetcars down significantly within the city.
Built in Philadelphia in 1925, this particular car was part of the “600 series”, and is definitely PE’s most recognizable car style. These models also enjoyed the longest lifetime in service, from the 1920’s all the way through the 40’s. Many of these cars were modernized starting in 1939, where they took on the iconic red and orange paint scheme, but this is what they looked like back in the 20’s.
Thank God for the orange empire railway museum out in Perris, which has preserved and restored some of the only PE stock left in existence. Most of these cars were scrapped, and some were even dumped off the coast.