Headed by Metropolitan Coach Lines no. 413, here is a two-car outbound train to Bellflower pausing at the Bullis Road stop. Taken Friday, May 23, 1958, the last weekday for the line to operate. In this picture you can clearly see the overhead trolley supports also
extending to the right of the wooden poles — a clear reminder that this once was double track line.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection
A Metropolitan Coach Lines blimp is oOutbound to Bellflower approaching Lakewood Blvd. Taken Friday, May 23, 1958, the last weekday for the Bellflower line to operate. The several tank cars on the freight siding suggest that this now-long-gone refinery was an important freight customer.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection
Metropolitan Coach Lines no. 435 and another unit are outbound to Bellflower approaching Alameda Street. This image was tken Friday, May 23, 1958, the last weekday for the Bellflower line to operate.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection
Metropolitan Coach Lines no. 318 is inbound from Bellflower and coming into Watts junction on the only double-track section of the line. Taken Friday, May 23, 1958, the last weekday for the Bellflower line to operate. Dark smoke in the background resulted from the long-lasting Hancock Oil refinery fire at Signal Hill.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection
Storage track at Bellflower – May 17, 1958. In this Saturday view just one week prior to the line’s abandonment, car no. 411 and others were stored for use during the inbound rush hour service. The 1915 Model T Ford automobile in the foreground belonged to the photographer and was an unintentional contemporary of some of the rails cars still in service.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection
Bellflower Station – May 17, 1958. This was a Saturday, one week before the line was abandoned. The additional cars needed for inbound rush hour service are stored on the siding in the distance. The Bellflower substation can be seen on the left.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection
By Stephen Dudley
More from the February 16, 1958 excursion using Metropolitan Coach Lines car no. 498. Here we see the 498 stopped northbound on San Pedro line’s West Basin trackage.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection
By Stephen Dudley
More from the February 16, 1958 excursion using Metropolitan Coach Lines car no. 498. Here we see the 498 stopped southbound near San Pedro before the fog had cleared.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection
By Stephen Dudley
More from the February 16, 1958 excursion using Metropolitan Coach Lines car no. 498. In this image, 498 is stopped on the El Segundo Line just past the Watts Car House which can be seen in the distance. Trolley wire was maintained on the southbound track to allow cars to access the car house from the south. Wire on northbound track had been removed. Once trolley poles were reversed, 498 would run north on the southbound track to re-join the southbound main. Someone had appropriately inserted
in the train number display “X-498”.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection
By Stephen Dudley
An amazing, moody shot of the Metropolitan Coach Lines motorman operating ex-Pacific Electric no. 498 on the February 16, 1958 excursion. This view was taken while running southbound near Compton.
Stephen Dudley Photo, Stephen Dudley Collection