Ralph Cantos Collection

By Ralph Cantos The ever dependable no. 5002 rolls down Brand Boulevard as it approaches waiting passengers on June 10, 1955. In just nine days all this PERFECT street trackage, the beautiful SP [...]

By Ralph Cantos Motorists and pedestrians go about their business on busy Brand Boulevard, oblivious to the historic scene playing out before their very eyes. Pacific Electric PCC no. 5027 leads [...]

Pacific Electric / Metropolitan Coach Lines PCC no. 5002 and motorman pose at North Glendale on April 29, 1955. Four and a half years later, 5002 will be loaded on a flatbed truck along with 5013 [...]

By Ralph Cantos On June 19, 1955, one of the most dastardly deeds ever perpetrated on the traveling public took place in Los Angeles. The management of Metropolitan Coach Lines managed to scuttle [...]

By Ralph Cantos Pacific Electric’s Torrance Shop complex could rebuild just about any rail car or bus on the PE roster. Master craftsmen capable of working with wood and steel bodied rail [...]

By Ralph Cantos Pacific Electric’s Hollywood cars were true survivors with some of them in service 40 years stateside to 65 years in Buenos Aires. The cars were built in four orders over a [...]

By Ralph Cantos In this beautiful photo taken in 1925, the newly completed LA High School Main Building stands proud and majestic at the corner of West Olympic and Rimpau Blvds. I believe at this [...]

By Ralph Cantos This very sad photo was taken in November of 1955 at the entrance of PE’s Subway Tunnel. Car 5154, the former no. 704 (BRILL 1925) is being made ready for its trip to [...]

By Ralph Cantos Pacific Electric’s 160 Hollywood cars served the Railway above and beyond all expectations on the far-flung system. Except for the Northern Districts, San Bernardino Line, [...]

By Ralph Cantos The neat, well kept Pacific Electric station at Sierra Vista looked like it could go on serving patrons of the WATTS – SIERRA VISTA line for decades to come. But in reality, [...]