Western and Franklin Avenue Line facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western & Franklin Ave. |
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Dash sign used on Hollywood bound trains
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| Overview | |
| Owner |  Pacific Electric |
| Locale | Los Angeles |
| Termini | 11th & Hill Streets Hollywood & Vine Blvds |
| Stations | 19 |
| Service | |
| Type | Streetcar |
| System | Pacific Electric |
| Operator(s) | Pacific Electric |
| Ridership | 1,935,583 (1926) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1908 |
| Closed | March 17, 1940 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 9.08 mi (14.61 km) |
| Number of tracks | 2 |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Old gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
| Electrification | 600 V DC Overhead lines |
The Western and Franklin Avenue Line was a special streetcar route in Los Angeles. Streetcars are like electric buses that run on tracks in the street. This line helped people travel from downtown Los Angeles all the way to Hollywood. It started at 11th and Hill Streets and ended at Hollywood and Vine Boulevards. The streetcar line ran for many years, from 1908 until 1940. Another streetcar line, called the Brush Canyon Line, connected to this one at Bronson.
Contents
History of the Streetcar Line
Building the Tracks
The tracks for the Western and Franklin Avenue Line were first built in 1908. They were put in place by a company called the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad. Just one month after the tracks were finished, they were changed to a standard gauge. This means the distance between the two rails was made wider to match most other train tracks.
Joining Pacific Electric
In 1910, a second track was added on Western Avenue, making it easier for streetcars to pass each other. Then, in 1911, the Pacific Electric company took over the line. This happened as part of a big event called the "Great Merger," where many smaller rail lines joined together.
Changes in Service
After Pacific Electric took over, some streetcars on this line went a bit further. They continued west on Hollywood Boulevard to a station in West Hollywood. However, this extra service stopped by 1912.
From 1922 to 1924, the line became a "shuttle service." This meant it only ran a short distance, between Santa Monica/Western and Hollywood/Vine. The service then stopped completely for a few months because of problems with electricity for the streetcars.
When the service started again in January 1925, streetcars could once more travel all the way downtown. But by 1932, they only ran during busy "rush hours." The line was also connected with the Venice Boulevard Local route. By 1935, streetcars were ending their trips at Hill and 11th Streets. The shorter "shuttle service" on the outer part of the line returned in 1938.
End of Service
The Western and Franklin Avenue Line stopped running forever on March 17, 1940.
