Pasadena via Oak Knoll Line facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pasadena via Oak Knoll |
|
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Owner | Southern Pacific Railroad |
| Line number | 1 |
| Locale | Southern California |
| Termini | Pacific Electric Building Downtown Pasadena |
| Stations | 19 |
| Service | |
| Type | Interurban |
| System | Pacific Electric |
| Operator(s) | Pacific Electric |
| Rolling stock | PE 1100 Class (last used) |
| Daily ridership | 7,693 (last counting) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1906 |
| Closed | December 28, 1950 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 13.8 mi (22.2 km) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Electrification | 600 V DC Overhead lines |
The Pasadena via Oak Knoll Line was a special train route. It was part of the Pacific Electric Railway system. This line ran from 1906 to 1950. It connected Downtown Los Angeles with Downtown Pasadena, California. During busy times, trains also went to Altadena.
Contents
History of the Oak Knoll Line
This train line was built in 1906. Its main purpose was to reach the Wentworth Hotel. This hotel was located in Oak Knoll. Because of this, the line was first called the Wentworth Line. It connected with another line, the Monrovia–Glendora Line.
In 1913, the train's path through Pasadena changed. It started using Lake Avenue, Colorado Street, and Raymond Avenue. It also went through the train car house on Fair Oaks Avenue. Another change happened in downtown Los Angeles on December 3, 1916. For a short time, from October 1928 to May 1929, all trains went all the way to Altadena. This change was later reversed. However, some trains still went to Altadena during rush hour until January 18, 1941.
Changes During World War II
During World War II, the main train station in Los Angeles, the Pacific Electric Building, became very crowded. Because of this, trains on the Oak Knoll Line had to use a different path. Starting in July 1943, they ran in a loop around Downtown Los Angeles. They did not go directly into the main station building.
However, on New Year's Day, trains still went to the Main Street Terminal. This was to help people travel to the Tournament of Roses Parade. The special loop path was stopped on October 5, 1947.
End of Service
Most of the train service ended after October 8, 1950. Only one round trip continued between Pasadena and El Molino. This was done to keep the train company's right to use the tracks. This last trip ended on December 28, 1950.
The Pasadena via Oak Knoll Line was one of the last Pacific Electric lines to close in Pasadena. It was also the very last line to run along Colorado Boulevard. By 1981, all the train tracks along this route had been removed.
The Train Route
The Pasadena via Oak Knoll Line followed the Monrovia–Glendora Line for part of its journey. This was until the end of the four-track system at El Molino Junction. From there, two tracks went north on Oak Knoll Avenue. These tracks were on a special path, not on the street. They led directly to the Huntington Hotel.
At the hotel, the line then moved onto city streets. It ran on Oak Knoll Avenue and South Lake Avenue. It continued until it reached Colorado Street. Then, the line turned west and went along Colorado Street. It passed through the main business area of Pasadena. At Fair Oaks Avenue, the line turned north. It continued for several blocks to the end of the route. This end point was the North Fair Oaks Carhouse.
Images for kids
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The Wentworth Hotel, later the Huntington Hotel
