Original artwork Howard Nourse

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"Updates" Archive Page 7

7/22/03 - 12/7/03

07/22/03- Red Car Line Grand Opening!

The Waterfront Red Car Line began operation on Saturday, July 19. About 500 people turned out at the 6th St. station for the gala "Red Car Revival" dedication ceremony. Participating in the dedication were Bob Henry, project manager and Larry Keller, Executive Director, LA Harbor Department; Harbor Commissioners James Acevedo, Camilla Townsend Kocol and Tom Warren; LA Councilwoman Janice Hahn, 15th District; State Senator Betty Karnette, 27th District; LA Councilman Tom La Bonge, 4th District; State Senator Debra Bowen, 28th District; Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Doane Liu and San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leslie Smith.

After the dedication ceremony ended, the Red Car Line was officially opened to the public. The crowd remained heavy throughout the day, with a long line extending off the 6th St. Station platform until late in the afternoon. Prospective passengers were serenaded by a brass band while they waited, and treated to free popcorn and complimentary Red Car Revival posters and buttons. About 2,000 free tickets were handed out, and its estimated that an even greater number actually got  onboard to ride before operations ended at 6 pm. 

Saturday also marked the start of the rerouted rubber-tired San Pedro Electric Trolley, now operating two new routes that connect with the Red Car Line. The rubber-tired shuttles connect with the Downtown and 22nd St. stations, offering connections to the historic downtown area, Ports O' Call Village, and Cabrillo Beach. In addition to the San Pedro Electric Trolley, a dedicated parking lot shuttle for the Red Car Line circulates through the Cruise Center and Catalina Terminal to provide passengers with easy access.

Coverage in several local papers on Sunday morning brought out another good crowd, with 800 free tickets being given out. Several hundred passengers rode the line on Monday as well. The line is now open for business every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 am to 6pm. Fare is $1 for an all-day pass. 

Councilwoman Janice Hahn prepares to cut the ribbon at the 6th St. Station. 

Project Manager Bob Henry gestures from the podium towards the Red Cars at the 6th St. Station, 

"There they are.... ride them!" 

There was a long line throughout the day on Saturday, with about 2,000 free tickets handed out.

Saturday marked the beginning of the new routes for the rubber-tired San Pedro Electric Trolley (one of which is seen in the background headed for Cabrillo Beach)

09/24/03- Red Car Line Updates

In August 2003, the Red Car Line's first full month of regular operation, 9,525 passenger boardings were recorded over 19 operating days (a daily average of 500 boardings).  Cars 501 and 1058 have both performed extremely well, with no mechanical problems affecting car availability. 

The Red Car Line carried its biggest crowds to date during the annual Lobster Festival September 19-21. Rides on the Red Car were free, and over 7,000 passenger boardings were recorded during the three-day festival. After trying a couple of different operating scenarios, service was provided with one car shuttling between the 22nd St. Station and the Ports O' Call station, and the other car traveling between Ports O' Call and the Cruise Ship Terminal. This allowed a quick turn-around shuttle between the remote parking lots adjacent to 22nd St. and the festival area, while still providing service over the remainder of the line. Service was extended into the evening hours on Friday and Saturday. Based on the incredible demand for rides on the Red Car, additional service improvements are already in the works for next year's festival.

Replica car 500 is due to be moved out of the Wilmington Red Car Works on Tuesday morning 9/30. It will enter regular service after a period of testing and break-in runs, permitting car 1058 to take a well-deserved rest. Car 1058 will continue to be used occasionally, including operation for charters and special events. 

The photos of car 500 below document its appearance on September 9. At this point all of the interior woodwork had been completed, and much of it had been removed from the car for varnishing. As you will see in the accompanying photos, this made for an impressive array of mahogany parts in the varnish area! 

-John Smatlak photos except as noted - Click any image to enlarge-

History comes to life: This classic publicity photo shows a PE 550 emerging from the new Los Angeles Subway in 1925....(OERM photo)

The Cranberry Tarts ride the Red Car 

Former 15th District Councilman, and long-time project supporter, Rudy Svorinich stopped by for a ride on the Red Car in August. Bob Henry and Rudy are seen here in front of car 501.  

Car 500 at the Red Car Works on 9/15/03

Painters Shmon Shaibi and Tom Biernat apply varnish to the walls inside car 500

Painter Gene Volynsky works on one of the bulkhead doors for car 500

Carpenter Kent Schuman and Red Car project manager Bob Henry look over some of the components

The varnish area is filled with mahogany! In the foreground are covers for use where the seats butt up against the wall.

More pieces, including bulkhead detail parts on the table at right.

Car 1058 approaches the Ports O' Call station during Lobster Festival. 

Rafael Mejia-Lopez photo

1058 and 501 at the Ports O' Call station during Lobster Festival. The Red Car Line carried its biggest crowds to date- over 7,000 passenger boardings in 3 days! 

Rafael Mejia-Lopez photo

-John Smatlak photos except as noted - Click any image to enlarge-

10/17/03- Car 500 Arrives

On September 30th, replica car 500 left the Wilmington Red Car Works and was moved to the Waterfront Red Car Line. The move went very smoothly, and the car is now undergoing testing. The 500 made its first trip over the entire  line on October 16th. After all testing is completed, car 500 will take the place of car 1058 in regular service. 1058 will remain available for special operations, and will also serve as the spare car should 500 or 501 ever be unavailable. The pictures below cover the big move as well as some of the testing.

During the month of September, there were a total of 15,820 passenger boardings over 21 operating days, a daily average of 753 boardings. 

9/30/03- Car 500 is ready to leave the Wilmington Red Car Works

The move begins- the winch on the trailer starts taking up the slack in the cable attached to car 500

Unloading begins with installation of the ramp sections on the trailer

Cars 501, 1058 and 500 pose together for the first time. 

Car 500 on the lifts at the 22nd St. maintenance facility while some work is done on the trucks

Car 500 made its first test run over the length of the line on 10/16/03. The "Pacific Electric" lettering is yet to be added to the sides of the car.

Car 500 crosses 6th St. for the first time.

Car 500 arrives Swinford St., ending its first complete trip over the line.

12/3/03- Car 500 Testing

Testing and adjustment of replica car 500 was ongoing throughout November. Beginning December 4, it is scheduled to be in test operation (without passengers) for several weeks during the line's "off" days (Tuesday-Thursday). The car will operate 8 hours a day in order to accumulate some additional miles on it, with final safety testing to occur in mid-January. The car is scheduled to enter regular service in place of car 1058 in January.  

November also saw the first multiple-unit (or MU for short) operation of cars 500-501 operating as a train. The tests went extremely well, and this capability is available for future special events. Some pictures of the MU testing appear below.

MU operation on 12/2/03 to test maximum substation load

 -John Smatlak photos - Click any image to enlarge-

Sat-Sun December 6-7- Free Rides for the San Pedro Christmas Parade 

In conjunction with the 2003 San Pedro Christmas Parade this Sunday, December 7th, the Waterfront Red Car Line will be offering free rides and holiday cheer this weekend. This years' parade theme is "San Pedro Remembers December 1941". The parade starts at 1:00 pm, assembling at the corner of 15th Street and Pacific Avenue, going north along Pacific Avenue to 6th Street, turning east and proceeding along 6th Street to the disbanding area at Liberty Plaza, 5th and Palos Verdes Streets. Last year's parade brought over 25,000 spectators to the streets of San Pedro. 

Additional details are available on the San Pedro.com website.

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