Pacific Electric Railway Company Roadway & Structures

By Alan K. Weeks

I thought it was time to share an item that I have had for decades. There is a story behind this little black book. Around 1952 we started hearing rumors that the P.E. Passenger service would be sold. Several Railfan groups began to Charter the PE’s 1299 for excursions. The 1299 was one of a kind. It was not in general service. It had carpets on the floor. Leather Chairs and a Couch.

There was a large table with chairs. Unlike the other 1200’s it had a small kitchen and a Restroom. It was used exclusively for the Board of Directors to take there monthly Inspection tours.

One time on a Railfan charter trip I was sitting at the big wooden table. I noticed it had drawers. Being a curious 20 year old I looked inside. There was the little black book. I was tempted but I did not steal it.

Maybe a month later I went to the P.E. Building to see some of the officials I visited kind of regularly. I went to the sixth floor and asked to see H.O. Marler. He was head of the Passenger Traffic Dept. He had a big corner office. You could see the trains down on Main & Sixth Sts. During our conversation I asked him if he could get a copy for me of the Black Book. He said I will see what I can do.

A few weeks later I returned to see him. He was sitting behind a big wooden desk. There was a Brass Spittoon on the floor. He lit up a big Cigar and said he could not find any copies of the Black Book. He then opened a drawer, pulled out “the Black Book” and said he hoped this would do. lol

Mr. Marler was an interesting person. He worked himself up from the bottom. He started emptying waste baskets as an office boy for the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad. A predecessor R.R. to the P.E.

I suspect the book is one of a kind. Maybe custom made for the directors.