Westgate Line facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westgate |
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| Overview | |
| Owner | Southern Pacific Railroad |
| Locale | Los Angeles |
| Termini | Pacific Electric Building Santa Monica, California |
| Stations | 18 |
| Service | |
| Type | Interurban |
| System | Pacific Electric |
| Operator(s) | Pacific Electric |
| Ridership | 263,017 (1926) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1906 |
| Closed | November 18, 1940 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Old gauge | narrow gauge |
| Electrification | 600 V DC Overhead lines |
The Westgate Line was a special train route that ran in Los Angeles from 1911 to 1940. It was operated by a company called the Pacific Electric Railway. This line was one of four routes that connected Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica.
The Westgate Line was unique because it took a winding path near Pacific Palisades. This was done to encourage people to build new homes in that area. Many of the people who rode this line were veterans and workers from the Soldiers' Home in Sawtelle. They would stop at the Streetcar Depot, West Los Angeles.
How the Westgate Line Started
The Westgate Line was first built and run by the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad. It opened in 1906. At that time, it used narrow gauge rails, which means the tracks were closer together than usual.
On March 19, 1906, a big agreement was made. All the lines owned by the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad were sold to Henry E. Huntington's Pacific Electric Railway. This sale cost $6 million. In early 1908, the line was changed to standard gauge rails. This made the tracks the same width as most other train lines.
The Westgate Line continued to operate for many years. However, by July 1, 1940, there was only one train still running. The entire line was officially closed on November 18, 1940.
Where Did the Westgate Line Go?
The Westgate Line followed a route similar to the Sawtelle Line up to Sawtelle. From Sawtelle, which is near Santa Monica Boulevard between Purdue and Butler Avenues, the Westgate Line turned northwest. It went onto a special path that was not a public road.
Two tracks ran down the middle of this path. They crossed Ohio Avenue and then went along the western edge of the U.S. Government Soldier's Home property. This led to an area near Rochester and Butler Avenues.
At this point, the two tracks entered the grounds of the Soldier's Home. They continued northwest on their own path, crossing Wilshire Boulevard. Then, they entered another special path in the middle of San Vicente Boulevard.
The two tracks followed San Vicente Boulevard, running between two separate roadways. They made a wide curve to the west, leaving the Soldier's Home property at Bringham Avenue. The tracks continued in the middle of San Vicente Boulevard, heading west. They crossed Barrington and Montana Avenues, and Bundy Drive. Finally, they reached the Santa Monica city limit at 26th Street.
Once in Santa Monica, the two tracks, still on their private path between the two roadways, ran about 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest. They crossed many numbered streets in Santa Monica until they reached Ocean Avenue. The tracks then ran southeast on Ocean Avenue, crossing major intersections like Montana Avenue, Wilshire Boulevard, and Santa Monica Boulevard. The line ended one block farther south at Broadway.
See also
- Streetcar suburb
- Streetcars in North America
- List of California railroads
- History of rail transportation in California
