Original artwork Howard Nourse

"Updates" Archive Page 4

6/17/02 - 10/11/02

Update Archives page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, page 6, page 7, page 8, page 9

All photos open in new window. Close new window to return to this page.

6/17/02 Car 1058 Returns to the Rails!

The long-awaited move of car 1058 took place on Saturday, June 15. The car was rolled out of its home of the last two years and onto a flatbed truck. The flatbed was then maneuvered into position next to a nearby railroad crossing, and the car was picked up off its running gear with four large forklifts. The flatbed was then rolled out from under the carbody, leaving the car suspended high in the air for a few moments before being slowly lowered down. The trucks were then pulled off the flatbed and placed on the rails, where they were given a quick inspection and received the required lubrication. The four forklifts next maneuvered the carbody over to the crossing, where the trucks were rolled into place underneath. The carbody was then lowered onto the trucks.

Interestingly, the 1058 was placed on the tracks on former Pacific Electric rails. The location was the tail of the Pier "A" yard,  where the PE once approached the old bascule bridge the crossed over the channel. After landing on the rails, the car's airbrakes were reconnected, and the trolley poles and related devices were reattached to the roof. A Pacific Harbor Line locomotive then coupled up to the car, and the journey around the harbor began. The train proceeded very slowly, stopping frequently to keep an eye on everything. The trip utilized the route of the old PE West Basin Line. The car was uncoupled in front of the Ports O' Call Red Car station, and the locomotive was run around on an adjacent track in order to push the 1058 into the 22nd St. maintenance building spur.

Car 1058's new home is a large temporary building (really a very large tent) located within a fenced compound on the maintenance building spur. The tent was erected in early June by local vendor Anza Tents. It's 30' wide and 165' long, with asphalt paving on the ground inside to keep things clean. A service area has been set up in front of the tent, and an office trailer and storage containers moved in. A security guard is stationed at the facility around the clock. In addition to the new storage tent, the overhead trolley wire has been extended over the spur from the main line up to the tent. We'll post some photos shortly. 

The arrival of car 1058 received coverage in the Daily Breeze newspaper, which ran this article. The next step is to begin testing of car 1058, to be followed by testing of the overhead wire, crossing signals, and other line improvements. Also, don't forget the next Open House at the Red Car Works, to be held on Saturday July 6.

-John Smatlak photos. Click any image to enlarge-

In other project news, excellent progress is being made on cars 500 and 501. The photos below illustrate some of the progress.

Clamps hold the newly applied sheeting in place

6/23/02 Testing of Car 1058 Begins

Car 1058 has begun operation under its own power! Operation started with some initial moves along the maintenance building spur track, and the car made its first trip over part of the line on Friday, June 21st. The car was put on display at 6th St. from 10 until 2, allowing participants in a local economic development conference to stop by for a look. Testing will continue in the weeks ahead.

8/3/02 Project Updates

Extensive testing and adjustment of car 1058 was carried out in July, along with testing of crossing signals and other infrastructure elements. The car also made a couple of public appearances, including one at the 6th St. Station for San Pedro's "First Thursday" event on August 1. 

On July 24th, the Board of Harbor Commissioners formally awarded an operation & maintenance contract to Herzog Transit  Services Inc., for operation of the line. Herzog is now in the process of mobilizing personnel in anticipation of starting operations.

Work on the line's temporary maintenance facility at 22nd St. also continues; on August 3rd, a section of rail in front of the storage tent was removed to permit construction to begin on an inspection pit. Car 1058 will thus remain inside until work on the pit is completed, scheduled for August 19th. During this pause in testing, crews will tackle a number of equipment-related jobs, including installation of the car's remaining seats.

Work is also proceeding nicely on cars 500-501. Car 501 will soon have an all-red exterior, and much of its interior walls and ceiling will be installed shortly. The bulkheads are already nearly complete inside the car, as are the front and rear platforms. The roof is about ready for the trolley poles to be installed, and most of the airbrake and electrical apparatus is in place under the car. Car 501 is scheduled to be placed on the rails to begin testing during the last week of August.

-John Smatlak photos. Click any image to enlarge-

Applying the Tremco rubber roof membrane; this modern roofing has been tried in place of the traditional canvas, and is expected to give excellent results

Creating the ceiling bulkhead for car 501's 'open air' section

8/12/02 Project Updates

Construction of the inspection pit at the line's temporary maintenance facility is proceeding on schedule. Site improvements adjacent to the Ports O' Call station are also progressing; these include pedestrian walkways to the fishing slip across Sampson Way, and a walkway to the adjacent Ports O' Call Village.  Additionally, new fencing has been installed along the right-of-way adjacent to Ports O' Call Village. This lengthy section of the Red Car Line now has a new lower-profile chain-link fence in place of the old fence that had been filled in with wooden slats. In addition to improving the general appearance of the area by opening up the view of the hillside greenery, this change will let people in Ports O' Call village see the Red Car moving along its route, and will also improve the passenger's view on board the cars. 

Car 1058 has also received its full complement of seats, and work is now underway to install some additional electrical and airbrake equipment. All of the activity on getting the line ready has also generated a number of newspaper articles, including this August 8th column from John Bogert in the Daily Breeze. Finally, we have the pleasure of adding a few photos of some recent visitors to the Red Car project, namely 15th District Councilwoman Janice Hahn, and 4th District Councilwoman Tom LaBonge. 

-Click photos to enlarge-

Councilwoman Janice Hahn tries out the operator's chair in car 1058

L-R; Bob Henry, Red Car Project Manager; John Smatlak, project consultant; Dave Garcia, project consultant; Janice Hahn, 15th District Councilwoman; Larry Keller, Executive Director, Port of LA. 

10/11/02 Project Updates

Site improvements continue along the line, especially on the hillside between 22nd St. and the Ports O' Call area. Testing of car 1058 continues, and contract operator/maintainer Herzog Transit Services has been training their first group of operators. Car 501 is nearing completion at the 'Red Car Works' in Wilmington, and the first platform ramp has been installed at the 22nd St. Station.

We apologize for the delay in getting this update posted- but as you will see in the pictures below, everyone's been very busy! More news to follow!

-Click photos to enlarge-

Another interior view- the mahogany woodwork is truly breathtaking; a tribute to the Port's talented carpenters.

Car 501 is really starting to take shape- note the striping on the car sides

Project Manager Bob Henry poses with car 1058 at the 22nd St. station. Bob's standing on the newly-installed platform ramp that will provide access to the Red Cars.

The platform ramps will be raised at night to permit passage of freight trains.