Here the full full weight of Pacific Electric upper management is on display. The occasion is an inspection trip over Southern Pacific’s Covina branch sometime between August and October, 1946 to view the property prior to installation of additional overhead trolley wire between the end of existing wire around Irwindale to Lone Hill. At the distant left, with both hands in his pockets and toes nearest the rails of the siding looking directly at the camera is President Smith. At 9th from the right is General Superintendent Squires. All of the other men in this photo I’m certain are heads or directors of various departments such as roadway maintenance, motive power, electrical facilities, accounting and such. The only other identifiable person here is either the road foreman of engines or a trainmaster, third from the right. In the gentleman’s left hand he holds the staff which allowed the train to proceed from Irwindale, behind the train, up to the switch at the east end of the siding here at Covina. Like all junior officials he wants nothing to go amiss on his watch so has taken personal custody of the staff lest the engineer forget the limits of this very special train’s authority. This photo was taken between August and October 1946.

William Wherry Photo, Charles Wherry Collection

By Charles Wherry

Here is Southern Pacific no. 1740 with Pacific Electric’s no. 1299 in tow pausing at the SP Covina station while the top brass inspect the facilities inside the depot. The occasion is an inspection trip sometime between August and October 1946 by PE’s management in conjunction with the purchase of SP’s Covina Branch which was consummated on September 1, 1946.

The Motorman is in full uniform as well as the officials wearing their full business suits and hats. Even the engineer is outfitted with his starched cap which he has removed in an effort to cool off while awaiting a ‘highball’ to proceed.

William Wherry Photo, Charles Wherry Collection

By Charles Wherry

From the Charles Wherry Collection and William Wherry photographic archive comes more photos from Pacific Electric on tour over the Southern Pacific Covina Branch, being pulled by Southern Pacific steam locomotive 2701.

“Looking west at P.E. and S.P. Junction at Lone Hill, Calif. 1299 and 2701, 8-23-46. Road Foreman of Engines W.O. Baker just stepped off engine to replace staff in staff machine (booth behind pole). Before electrification of S.P. line”.

Both Pacific Electric and Southern Pacific utilized a staff machine system to authorize train movements on their respective lines. SP’s system began at Baldwin Park with a machine at the PE crossing. Additional machines were at Irwindale, Covina (East Switch), Lone Hill, (Junction Switch), San Dimas station, La Verne Jct. switch and Ganesha Jct.
PE’s staff system began at Monte Vista .058 miles east of P.E. Covina utilizing the same machines at Lone Hill, San Dimas, La Verne and North Pomona.

“Looking east at Lone Hill. Engine is pulling 1299 under trolley wire before uncoupling. Track to right of 1299 is connection between P.E. Covina line and S.P. line. Track behind 1299 is P.E. line to San Dimas P.E. line.” (Conductor Brocato is visible in the end door of 1299 trying to place trolley pole on wire).

“Lone Hill, Calif. Cond. Brocato and M/M A.A. Johnston after 2701 had uncoupled and was getting in the clear to permit 1299 to continue on to San B’dno”. (Conductor Brocato was still working into the 1970’s.)

William Wherry Photos, Charles Wherry Collection

By Charles Wherry

This second photo of the series (original here) shows Southern Pacific no. 2701 and Pacific Electric no. 1299 at the Southern Pacific depot in Covina on August 23, 1946. I don’t know if the special stopped on this occasion. My dad was working during this time as a PE train dispatcher and presumably had advance information of the train’s itinerary. His note on the back of the contact print says: “S.P. station at Covina, Cal. Aug. 23rd 1946 before electrification. SP2701 and PE1299 inspection trip. Engr. W.H.Owen, Mtrm. A.A. Johnston, Condr. A.H. Brocato.”

The advance station sign reads: “Azusa Ave One Mile”.

William Wherry Photo, Charles Wherry Collection

On August 23, 1946, Southern Pacific 2-8-0 no. 2701 is preparing to depart Baldwin Park eastward over the SP’s Covina Branch with Pacific Electric office car no. 1299 in tow. The PE would purchase that portion of SP’s branch between Bassett, on the Sunset Route main track, and Ganesha Junction, a short distance from Pomona, on September 1, 1946 a mere 9 days later.

This trip was one that PE officials made over the line to see firsthand what their $400,000 investment looked like. The SP’s trackage between the Reliance Rock Spur, just east of Baldwin Park and Lone Hill was not electrified at this time. That would come in the next two months as PE sought a route that avoided increasing automobile congestion on their original line along Badillo Street in Covina.

Here we see some last-minute mechanical goings-on beneath 1299 as overseen by Road Foreman of Engines Baker. Engineer W.H. (Windy) Owen is keeping an eye on things while the fireman has a last look around.

William Wherry Photograph, Charles Wherry Collection

By Charles Wherry

On September 30, 1951 Pacific Electric ran their last interurban train to Glendora, CA. The following month PE began to remove their famous right of way, beginning at Oneonta Park, Huntington Dr. and Fair Oaks in So. Pasadena) to Myrtle Ave. in Monrovia, west of Glendora. In order for PE to reach their remaining freight customers between Arcadia and Glendora including the non-electrified Day & Night spur which PE had taken over from SP in 1942, it was necessary to build a new piece of railroad, 2.82 miles in length, costing $436,000. The new freight line, called the Azusa Branch, was built from the Crushton spur’s north end to a connection with the Glendora line at Rivas Jct. just west of Azusa, crossing the Santa Fe at Kincaid en route. The first train over the new line ran on September 17, 1951.

The following Sunday, September 23, we find engine 1322 and caboose moving eastward after crossing the ATSF, (see the distant signal leading to the Automatic Interlocking behind the caboose) and dipping under Foothill Blvd. overpass en route to Rivas Jct. Notice the two trainmen ‘decorating’ the rear steps of 1322?

No, they’re not mad at the motorman. You see, they have made room in the cab for some visitors. This day my brother and I are occupying the left-side seat box on one of the first trips over the branch courtesy some of my dad’s working buddies. Tomorrow would be my 7th birthday and there would be plenty of time for cake and ice cream, but today is reserved for some railroading, PE style.

Who would have dreamed that 11 years and a week later I would be making my fireman seniority ‘date’ aboard one of 1322’s brothers, (1401) at the lower end of the ‘C’ Yard in SP’s Taylor yard at Los Angeles?

William Wherry Photo, Charles Wherry Collection