Pacific Electric Railway Ends Operation

Although many people today may only recognize electric trolleys as novelty transportation systems in cities such as San Francisco and New Orleans, electric railways played a major role in transportation during the 19th/20th centuries.  In fact, the city of Los Angeles had the world’s largest electric railway, founded in 1901, that connected Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino County and Riverside Country.

On this day, April 9th, in 1961, The Pacific Electric Railway, the world’s largest electric railway, ended operation. The Pacific Electric Railway had played a large role in developing the greater Los Angeles Area in the beginning of the 20th century.  The line linked previously unconnected cities and subsequently, the 1920s witnessed communities and businesses growing along the line.  Unfortunately, the railway began to decline in the 1930s and in following decades, because of the increase in automobile popularity.  Slowly, lines ended operation one by one until the railway’s last service, the Los Angeles to Long Beach passenger rail line, was cancelled.

In the 1990s, electric rail service reemerged in Los Angeles with the Metro Blue Line.  Los Angeles now has several other electric rail lines that service the area, but the connectivity of the Pacific Electric Railway has not been restored.  In some areas, the iconic trolley cars of the 20th century have been restored with limited services.