Original artwork Howard Nourse

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

Latest Update: 10/12/07

October 2007

The Red Car Line carried just over 10,000 passengers for the weekend of Lobster Festival, September 15-16, 2007. The system operated with extended hours for the three day event, and provided an important (and fun) parking shuttle service for festival goers. 

In other Red Car news, work continues on the system expansion study, with the consultant team now finalizing their findings for presentation to Port staff. With the announced closing of Westway Terminal in 2009, and the resulting end of rail freight service in San Pedro, a number of new alignment concepts have now been opened up.

Adjacent to the line, work is well along on the new water feature that will be the icon of the new Waterfront Gateway at the entrance to the World Cruise Center. The Port is also moving ahead with a number of other significant community improvement projects in San Pedro and Wilmington. Click here for the proposed project description for the San Pedro Waterfront Project EIR.

This August construction view shows the massive vault for the new Gateway water feature alongside the Red Car Line.	Replica Red Cars 500-501 continue to be reliable performers; car 500 is seen here along Harbor Blvd.	With the pending closure of Westway Terminal in 2009, freight service in San Pedro will come to an end. The Signal Street area is to be redeveloped as "City Dock No. 1", possibly providing a home for a new marine research institute.

April 2007- Steam Locomotive 3751 visits Red Car Line

Restored Santa Fe steam locomotive 3751 was in San Pedro from April 15th through the 21st. Public tours were offered on Saturday April 21 as part of the Port's Rail Festival event. Click here for further details. The locomotive last visited in October 2004. Additional information is available on the San Bernardino Railway Historical Society's website.

John Smatlak photos

In other news, work continues on the Red Car Line System Expansion Study, and San Pedro continues to experience a major housing boom. 

In the Downtown area, the 116-unit Centre Street Lofts is now open, and construction is underway on a number of other projects including the 16 story, 318-unit Vue building, the 89-unit Bank Lofts, and three other projects. A number of other projects have been approved or are in the permit process.   

Click on the images at left.

3/15/07 Updates- Ridership Up, Expansion Study Underway

Ridership on the Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line surpassed 100,000 riders in 2006, representing ridership growth of about 10% each year in the past two years. 2006 saw a total of 102,512 boardings over 240 operating days.  
“People love to ride the Red Cars,” said Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “When we decided to fully-restore an original 1911 Pacific Electric Car and introduce two replica cars, it was part of the Port’s larger vision of attracting visitors to the waterfront and linking them to local businesses. We achieved both.” Click here for the official Port press release.

The System Expansion study is also proceeding on schedule. The consultant team is busy gathering data and taking a look at the purpose and need of each of the potential expansion options.

A few new historic pictures have also been added to the Pacific Electric in San Pedro page.

11/21/06 Updates- Harbor Commission Approves Expansion Study

At its 11/16/06 meeting, the Harbor Commission approved a contract to study expansion of the existing Waterfront Red Car Line. The study will examine a variety of route proposals, and develop concepts for enhancing the role of the Red Car Line in local transportation. Prime contractor Wilson & Company has teamed with EDAW, Railway Preservation Resources, Stone Consulting, LTK, Aztec Engineering, and other local firms to provide a expert team to address the study issues. An article in the 11/15/06 edition of the Daily Breeze provides additional details. 

12/12/05 Updates- Harbor Blvd. Promenade Opens

The official opening of the next phase of the Waterfront Promenade (between Santa Cruz and 5th Streets) took place as scheduled on October 29. The scenes below provide a glimpse of the day's activities. 

The new section of promenade is a beautiful addition to the San Pedro waterfront, paralleling the Red Car Line tracks between the Cruise Center and 5th St. Nighttime lighting provides a very inviting appearance after dark as well. Additional details on the Promenade are available on the San Pedro Waterfront website.  Photo- Port of Los Angeles

501 cruises along the new Promenade	Councilwoman Hahn addresses the crowd at the opening ceremony	501 passes by the ceremony in progress
The Red Cars along the new section on Promenade
-John Smatlak photos - Click any image to enlarge-

10/24/05 Updates- Promenade Grand Opening October 29

The next phase of the Waterfront Promenade (between Santa Cruz and 5th Streets) officially opens on Saturday, October 29, in conjunction with the Port's "Happy Harbor Halloween" celebration. Click here for the Port's press release on the event. Additional details on the Promenade are available on the San Pedro Waterfront website. Rides on the Red Car Line will be free all weekend.

The new promenade parallels Harbor Blvd. and the Red Car Line tracks between the cruise Terminal and Downtown San Pedro

---

8/25/05 Updates "Tall Ships LA", held in San Pedro August 11-14 was a very well attended event. Over the four day event, 12,146 passenger boardings were recorded on the Red Car Line. Sunday was the busiest day, with 4,594 boardings! A few photos from the event appear below. Car 500 crossing 5th St. northbound One of the many Tall Ships on hand for the event. Waiting at the Passing Siding at Gibson Park, note the masts in the background! Coinciding with the Tall Ships LA event, a portion of the new Promenade was open to the public. The partially completed Promenade was open between Santa Cruz and 5th Streets. A generous landscaping buffer separates the Red Car tracks from the walking and bicycle paths A view at the Ports O' Call station during the event. Herzog Transit photo. -John Smatlak photos, except as noted  - Click any image to enlarge- 7/27/05 Updates Ridership update: During the first two years of operation (ending 6/30/05), the Waterfront Red Car line carried 170,677 passengers over 381 operating days. The line continues to operate four days a week (Friday through Monday) plus extra days for special events and when cruise ships call at the terminal outside the normal schedule. Upcoming special events in San Pedro include "Tall Ships LA" August 11-14 and the annual Lobster Festival September 16-18. The scenery along the Red Car Line continues to improve, with construction on the new Harbor Blvd. Promenade (paralleling Harbor Blvd. the Red Car Line) progressing very nicely. The pictures below provide some idea of how the area's appearance is being transformed.  Look for a grand opening of the Promenade later this year. Further information on the Promenade can be found on the Port's website. Planning efforts also continue for the line extension to Cabrillo Beach and other Harbor destinations.

Red Car approaching 5th St. southbound. With the old fence removed and all of the new trees, the view is much improved.	Crossing 5th St. southbound. Maritime Museum in the background.	Looking south from First St, Fire Station #112 in the background.
Looking south from First St., you can see the bike path element of the Promenade under construction.	View north from First. St. The new walkway is really starting to take shape.	A Red Car approaches the Ports O' Call Station as a Cruise Ship heads out the Main Channel.

-John Smatlak photos - Click any image to enlarge-