Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection
Pacific Electric freight locomotive no. 1627 and its crew member are photographed by Robert T. McVay at Lone Hill, one mile west of San Dimas, on the San Bernardino Line. This image is believed to be from a fan trip whose participants must have stumbled upon a switching move during the event. The image is undated.
Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection
Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection
Pacific Electric no. 1217 and two other cars are captured standing at the Colton Southern Pacific station looking northeast. This image was shot by Robert T. McVay through the window of a Southern Pacific steam locomotive. Other slides from this series suggest the view is through the fireman's window of a 5000-series three-cylinder steam locomotive. Interesting to note that the Sunkist packing house in the background was demolished to make way for Interstate 10. Southern Pacific's Colton Station stood for many years after this photo was taken, and was demolished in 2012 to make way for the Union Pacific's Colton Flyover project that crosses over the BNSF and UP main lines just west of this very spot.
Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection
Steve Crise Collection
An engraving showing the Ontario & San Antonio Heights Railway Company from the foot of the line, in Ontario, looking north to Upland and Mount Baldy.
From the indispensable ERHA Site:
The line began operating with mule cars in 1887, a mule hauling the little single-truck car from State St.(Ontario) due north to San Antonio Heights, about ten miles north and 1200 feet higher; on the return trip the motive power climbed aboard a tiny trailer and coasted down with the car. When O&SA electrified the line in 1895, the mules became the property of a nearby rancher; the story goes that the temperamental animals pulled the plough fine uphill, but refused to work downhill.
A thirty-acre amusement park was built by the company of San Antonio Heights, with a powerhouse adjoining. Heavy crowds were transported along Euclid Ave. in the early days, for the line connected Ontario with Upland, provided connections between the SP Station at Ontario and the Santa Fe Station at Upland, and cared for the thongs bound for pleasure-seeking at the Park. Euclid Ave. was famous for it divided highway; in the wide center strip was a double line of huge pepper trees, and between the rows of trees, set a grass-covered private way, went the single track of this line.
Owned after electrification by Ontario Electric Company, the line became the property of the Pacific Light & Power Corporation. in a merger in 1908. Mr. William G. Kerckhoff, at that time president of PL&P, energetically pushed the expansion of the O&SA by building its branch to San Bernardino. However, the O&SA was purchased by SP on 13 April 1912 and this line, plus the line from Upland to Pomona, passed into PE hands.
Steve Crise Collection
Ernest Leo Photo, Michael Patris Collection
This undated photo by Ernie Leo catches a Pacific Electric freight passing by the Covina Station. Note the signage on the building, stating it is also the office for the Southern Pacific and the Railway Express Agency.
Ernest Leo Photo, Michael Patris Collection
