San Pedro — Red Car Returns

Rail Transit Online, June 2003

The 1.5-mi. (2.4 km) Waterfront Red Car Line has been tentatively scheduled to open on July 19, linking the Port of Los Angeles cruise terminal to 22nd and Miner streets near the south end of the harbor.  The event is dependant on safety and regulatory clearances being received for the trolleys that will operate the line:

• No. 501, a new replica of a Pacific Electric 500-class suburban car first used in 1902
• No. 1058, a heavily modified original PE car of 1907 that has been fully restored.

Another replica, No. 502, remains under construction.  Although the track and power system have been finished for some time, repeated setbacks in completing the trolleys have delayed the start of service by more than two years.  Work on the cars got back on track after the project was shifted to Railway Preservation Resources from a Seattle firm that made little progress despite spending large sums of money.  Initially, the cars will run Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with historical commentary by operators.  A $1 all-day ticket will be sold that will also be accepted by the rubber-tire trolleys serving the downtown San Pedro area.  The L.A. harbor department, which is funding the $10-million project, is planning an extension to the 22nd Street Landing, the Hilton Hotel and the historic Bath House at nearby Cabrillo Beach.