Pacific Electric

Pacific Electric freight locomotive no. 1603 pulls a long consist past Dolores Yard on the way south to San Pedro. The unoccupied track was the lead Dolores track, also under wire. Donald Duke [...]

Pacific Electric’s steam switcher no. 1504 came to PE during World War II as Southern Pacific no. 1142. Donald Duke Collection

Pacific Electric freight locomotive no. 1606 stands by as its engineer throws a switch; on an adjoining track, a Pacific Electric “Calship Special” (carrying shipyard workers from [...]

In this Pacific Electric file photo, steam serves the southern end of Dolores Yard. Trains were assembled here for deployment to dockside at Long Beach and San Pedro harbors. Dolores Yard faded [...]

Since 1922, steam switchers like no. 1508 were a common sight in Pacific Electric yard service since 1922. 1508 was former Southern Pacific no. 1096, which became San Diego & Arizona Eastern [...]

Pacific Electric freight locomotive no. 51 (with a half-mile long freight in tow) pauses for a photograph at the Long Beach PE yard in 1908. In 1912 the locomotive was completely rebuilt and [...]

Pacific Electric diesel-electric GE 44-tonner no. 1651 pulls a freight at Wilmington in 1943. Pacific Electric Photo Donald Duke Collection

Pacific Electric freight locomotive no. 1560 was out of service on a weekend when Jack Whitmeyer took this shot in 1940. Jack Whitmeyer Photo Donald Duke Collection

This September 1904 image captures the first run of the Pacific Electric to Whittier (interurban no. 258), and the local populace’s hearty welcome. Donald Duke Collection

An interior shot of one of the many “plunges” (indoor, salt water-fed) pools at Redondo Beach served by the Pacific Electric. The water was heated by steam generators at Henry [...]