Eastern District

1240 and 1245 at Ganesha Junction in Pomona

Posted on: April 10th, 2013 by Pacific Electric 2 Comments

 

Photo attributed to L. T. Gotchy, Jack Finn Collection

Photo attributed to L. T. Gotchy, Jack Finn Collection

Pacific Electric car no. 1245 heads up a Special four-car consist as it meets up with a Special two-car consist lead by no. 1240 at Ganesha Junction in Pomona on Sunday, October 1, 1950.

Photo attributed to L. T. Gotchy, Jack Finn Collection

1627 at Lone Hill

Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by Pacific Electric 1 Comment

 

Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection

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

1217 in Colton

Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by Pacific Electric No Comments

 

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

Ontario & San Antonio Heights Railway Company

Posted on: February 5th, 2013 by Pacific Electric 3 Comments

 

Steve Crise 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

1243 at Etiwanda

Posted on: December 12th, 2012 by Pacific Electric 6 Comments

 

Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection

Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection

It's October 1950 and Pacific Electric no. 1243 is stopped at the Etiwanda Station as part of a railfan trip.

Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection

1299 at Claremont Tower

Posted on: November 7th, 2012 by Pacific Electric No Comments

 

Ralph E. Melching Photo, Pacific Railroad Society Museum Collection

Ralph E. Melching Photo, Pacific Railroad Society Museum Collection

Pacific Electric no. 1299 rolls past Claremont Tower on a Railroad Boosters tour held June 2, 1951.

Ralph E. Melching Photo, Pacific Railroad Society Museum Collection

1299 in Upland

Posted on: November 6th, 2012 by Pacific Electric 9 Comments

 

Robert T. McVay Photo, Suydam Collection

Robert T. McVay Photo, Suydam Collection

Pacific Electric car no. 1299 rolls down what appears to be Euclid Avenue in Upland in 1951 in this stunning image originally taken by Robert T. McVay.

Robert T. McVay Photo, Suydam Collection

Freight at Covina Station

Posted on: September 10th, 2012 by Pacific Electric 2 Comments

 

Ernest Leo Photo, Michael Patris 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

1620 in Rialto

Posted on: January 16th, 2012 by Pacific Electric 1 Comment

 

Charles D. Savage Photo, Donald Duke Collection

Charles D. Savage Photo, Donald Duke Collection

Pacific Electric freight locomotive no. 1620 is captured nearing a grade crossing in Rialto, with two men riding along on the rear pilot. It's wash day to the left rear of the image.

Charles D. Savage Photo
Donald Duke Collection

1305 in San Bernardino

Posted on: January 16th, 2012 by Pacific Electric 2 Comments

 

Charles D. Savage Photo, Donald Duke Collection

Charles D. Savage Photo, Donald Duke Collection

Pacific Electric combine no. 1305 pauses at San Bernardino with a "Riverside" destination board in this image taken April 9, 1937.

Charles D. Savage Photo
Donald Duke Collection