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Re: Gold Line sure sucks........except with the record number of new riders?
Author: BOB2
Date: 03-20-2016 - 13:24
The Gold Line was formerly the AT&SF Coast Division 2nd District LA to San Bernardino via Pasadena. Originally built as the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley RR, from LA to "Mud Springs" in the mid 1880's connecting into what became the ATSF system, it became the primary passenger mainline into Los Angeles from Chicago, Denver, Houston....for the AT&SF. AT&SF HS&TS has a number of articles on the history of SOUCAL pass and freight.
The Gold Line follows the route of US 66. It runs on what was the route of famous AT^SF trains like the California Limited, the Chief, the El Capitan and the Super Chief, and hosted Amtrak service until 1994. It was primarily a passenger main, due to steep outbound grades from LA, but, during the 80's CQP used to run westbound intermodal via the 2nd District "downhill" into LA, when the 3rd District (Metrolink 91 line) was congested.
The LA&SGV started one of Sou CA's first great "land booms" when Pasadena was founded, as a resort community for wealthy eastern money, able to escape winter. This line is where the "Orange Empire" started. And, the Gold Line passes literally a dozen of so former citrus packing houses between LA and Azusa Pacific, easily visible as you pass. Horse trains to Santa Anita, locals bringing lumber, plasterboard, and building materials, and hay for the horse to Santa Anita, and the building of the one of the worlds largest megalopolis's in less than a century.
Today freight service still continues to Irwindale bringing in carloads of hops, grain, corn syrup, and such for the massive Miller brewery in Irwindale, adjacent to the Gold Line station, on separate tracks in an adjacent shared ROW.
Half of the route from downtown LA and Pasadena is passing through actual parkland in the Arroyo Seco and over the high bridge, with great views of Mt. Wilson.
It has not made, nor will it make, any difference in the experience of driving the 210 East at 4:30 in the afternoon from Pasadena, though, full trains of those lucky enough to work in Pasadena and LA, with easy access, is certainly assured.
The Gold Line follows the route of US 66. It runs on what was the route of famous AT^SF trains like the California Limited, the Chief, the El Capitan and the Super Chief, and hosted Amtrak service until 1994. It was primarily a passenger main, due to steep outbound grades from LA, but, during the 80's CQP used to run westbound intermodal via the 2nd District "downhill" into LA, when the 3rd District (Metrolink 91 line) was congested.
The LA&SGV started one of Sou CA's first great "land booms" when Pasadena was founded, as a resort community for wealthy eastern money, able to escape winter. This line is where the "Orange Empire" started. And, the Gold Line passes literally a dozen of so former citrus packing houses between LA and Azusa Pacific, easily visible as you pass. Horse trains to Santa Anita, locals bringing lumber, plasterboard, and building materials, and hay for the horse to Santa Anita, and the building of the one of the worlds largest megalopolis's in less than a century.
Today freight service still continues to Irwindale bringing in carloads of hops, grain, corn syrup, and such for the massive Miller brewery in Irwindale, adjacent to the Gold Line station, on separate tracks in an adjacent shared ROW.
Half of the route from downtown LA and Pasadena is passing through actual parkland in the Arroyo Seco and over the high bridge, with great views of Mt. Wilson.
It has not made, nor will it make, any difference in the experience of driving the 210 East at 4:30 in the afternoon from Pasadena, though, full trains of those lucky enough to work in Pasadena and LA, with easy access, is certainly assured.
