Redondo Beach via Playa del Rey Line facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Redondo Beach via Playa del Rey |
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Del Rey & Redondo (1915)
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| Overview | |
| Locale | Greater Los Angeles |
| Termini | Downtown Los Angeles Redondo Beach |
| Service | |
| Type | Interurban |
| System | Pacific Electric |
| Operator(s) | Pacific Electric |
| History | |
| Opened | November 9, 1902 |
| Closed | November 18, 1930 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 25.01 mi (40.25 km) |
| Number of tracks | 2 |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Electrification | Overhead line, 600 V DC |
The Redondo Beach via Playa del Rey was a special train line. It was part of the Pacific Electric railway system. This line connected Downtown Los Angeles to Redondo Beach. It also went through places like Playa del Rey. These trains were called interurbans. They were like big streetcars that traveled between cities.
This train route followed the beautiful coastline of Santa Monica Bay. It ran all the way from Playa del Rey to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Even though it connected many beach towns, it was never fully replaced. Today, some local buses cover parts of the old route. But there is no single train or bus line that goes along the entire South Bay coast.
Good news for bike riders! Much of the old train path can now be used for cycling. Part of it is a bike trail along Culver Boulevard. Also, the Marvin Braude Bike Trail follows the old train line in many places.
Contents
The History of the Redondo Beach Train Line
How the Line Started
The train line began with a company called the Los Angeles-Hermosa Beach & Redondo Railway. Soon after, the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad took over. The very first train ride happened on Sunday, November 9, 1902. It went from Culver City to Playa del Rey.
Later in 1903, the train tracks were built from Manhattan Beach to Redondo Beach. The missing part between these two sections was also finished that year. In 1904, Culver Boulevard was created next to the train tracks. It was first called Speedway.
Around 1903, the first train left at 6:40 AM. The last train left at 11:40 PM. The Los Angeles Pacific train station was located at 316 West 4th Street.
Changes and New Connections
In 1908, the train tracks were changed. They went from being narrow gauge to standard gauge. This means the distance between the rails became wider. The Los Angeles Pacific company also built a special track for the Los Angeles Motordrome around 1910. The Motordrome was a place for car races.
In 1911, the Pacific Electric company bought the train line. This was a big change for the route.
From 1916, local train service started between Manhattan and Redondo. This service ran during the summer and fall. From 1922 to 1924, it ran all year. In 1923, it even went further to Clifton. There was also a special track from 1920 to 1927. It let Barnes Circus trains reach their winter home in Barnes City.
The End of the Train Service
In 1925, a bus service started. It ran between Malaga Cove and the Redondo Beach station. This was operated by the Palos Verdes Transportation Company.
On May 5, 1930, the train service was greatly reduced. Only one train went back and forth each day. This was done just to keep the train company's operating rights. The train route was completely stopped after November 18, 1930.
By 1981, all the train tracks were gone. Much of the old route in Culver City and West Los Angeles is now a bike path. It is called the Culver Boulevard Median Bike Path.
Exploring the Train Route
Starting Point and Culver City Section
The Redondo Beach via Playa del Rey Line started at the Hill Street Station. It followed the same path as the Venice Short Line up to a place called Culver Junction.
From Culver Junction, two train tracks branched off. They went southwest along the middle of Culver Boulevard. They passed Washington Boulevard and Madison Avenue.
Here, the two tracks moved onto a private area next to Culver Boulevard. This area was not paved. The tracks went past the MGM Studios, Overland Avenue, Sepulveda Boulevard, and Centinela Boulevard. Then they reached the border of Culver City.
Crossing Lincoln Boulevard and Ballona Creek
The two tracks continued in their private area next to Culver Boulevard. They went for about half a mile. Then, they went up onto a raised path. This path helped them cross over Lincoln Boulevard on a bridge. This train bridge was just north of the road bridge for Culver Boulevard.
West of Lincoln Boulevard, the two tracks joined into a single track. This single track then crossed over Ballona Creek on a long steel bridge.
After crossing the creek, the single track became two tracks again. These tracks continued through open land. They generally ran next to Culver Boulevard. Finally, they reached Playa del Rey. In Playa del Rey, the trains ran on the street for a short distance. This happened when they crossed Culver Boulevard and a small part of Vista Del Mar Lane.
Along the Coastline to Redondo Beach
From Playa del Rey, the two tracks went south. They were on a private, unpaved path along the bluffs. These bluffs are hills next to the Pacific Ocean. The tracks passed the Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant and Imperial Highway. Then they entered the City of El Segundo.
Still on the private path next to the ocean, the two tracks continued south. They went past the Standard Oil Company Refinery. They also passed the City of Manhattan Beach and entered the city of Hermosa Beach.
In Hermosa Beach, the two tracks entered another private, unpaved area. This was in the middle of Hermosa Avenue. The tracks followed this path south through the main part of Hermosa Beach. They continued into the City of Redondo Beach. They reached the center of the city at Diamond and Pacific Avenues. This is where the Redondo Beach via Gardena Line ended its journey from the east.
From Downtown Redondo Beach, the two tracks went south. They ran on the paved Pacific Avenue as far as Torrance Boulevard. Then, they moved into another private, unpaved area. This was in the middle of Catalina Street. It went south to Avenue I in the Clifton Beach Area.
The two tracks then joined into a single track. This single track made a short cross-country run on a private path. It led to the end of the line at Clifton-by-the-Sea. This spot was on a bluff overlooking the ocean. It was just north of Malaga Cove.
Images for kids
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Ruins of the route through Ballona Wetlands (2022)
