Pacific Electric “Special Party Service” Advertising Ink Blotter
Ralph Cantos Collection
A Pacific Electric ink blotter believed to be from 1932, advertising “Special Party Service” listing C. H. Jones, General Agent, the San Bernardino Passenger Department. The blotter says “Special Cars and Motor Coaches Chartered for Picnics • Outings • Theaters • Athletic Events • Etc.” Any confirmation on the date of this piece would be appreciated.
Ralph Cantos Collection
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Using the “Time Line of Pacific Electric Cars” chart from 11-22-11, and using the car number in the ad, which is 1250, I came up with this answer. Cars 1222 to 1251 arrived on the property in 1921. They were on the roster until 1950. Take into consideration the bus in the graphic, I’d date this ad from anywhere from 1921 to 1930. Maybe anyone with information on General Agent C.H. Jones and the dates he held this position could further narrow pinpoint the date.
Suydam customized model (this site) of PE 1255 shows it lettered “Parlor Car” on the sides. A Sept. 1937 photo at Valley Junction shows PE 1255 without that lettering: https://www.pacificelectric.org/pacific-electric/northern-district/1255-special/#comment-26069
Cars PE 1258 and PE 1252 appear to be following. The train is inbound and idled for unknown “Special” service. The 5 digit phone number on the blotter may help date the item.
Car 1250 was a trailer in the Long Beach 1200 series (these had rectangular end windows, no trolleys) but the car drawn in the illustration is a Portland 1200of which the first car was 1252. According to the information in Interurbas Special 36 (Cars of the Pacific Electric), the Portlands came to PE in 1928, were put through the shops and most entered service in 1929. Because of the image on the blotter, I would date it as 1929 or later.
PE 1252 leading a three car “Special”…notice marker lamp arrangement on this trip compared to other 1252-class runs.
Forgot that link: https://www.pacificelectric.org/pacific-electric/northern-district/1252-special/