Glendale–Burbank Line

Glendale–Burbank is a defunct Pacific Electric rapid transit line that was operational from 1902 to 1955 in Southern California, running from Downtown Los Angeles to Burbank. Short lines terminated Downtown and in North Glendale, including the popular Edendale Line.[1]

Glendale–Burbank
Overview
LocaleSouthern California
TerminiSubway Terminal
Burbank
Stations21
Service
TypeLight rail
System Pacific Electric
Operator(s) Pacific Electric
Rolling stockPE 5050 Class PCC cars (last used)
History
Opened1902
ClosedJune 19, 1955 (1955-06-19)
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead lines
Route map

 Eton Drive
 Burbank
 Alameda Avenue
 Señorita
 Hahne
 North Glendale
 La Ramada
Verdugo Wash
 Doran Street
 Chevy Chase Drive
 Glendale Avenue
cut back 1946
 Glendale
 Lomita Avenue
 Park Avenue
 Tropico
 San Fernando Road
Southern Pacific RR
Los Angeles River
 Monte Sano
 Edendale
 Sunset Boulevard
Beverly Hills
US 101
1st Street
Toluca Substation and Yard
Hollywood Subway
US 101 (Harbor Freeway)
 Subway Terminal

History
An Edendale Local on 6th Street, c. 1900-1920

The line was built by the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad. Construction of the Brand Boulevard segment was begun by the Glendale and Montrose Railway in 1903, but the new company sold the rights to the line by the following spring. The line opened on April 6, 1904, terminating at Mountain Street.[2]

Los Angeles Interurban went on to be leased then acquired by the Pacific Electric, with the latter assuming service in July 1908.[2] Initially originating at Main Street, service to Burbank began on September 6, 1911.[3] The branch to East Glendale (shared with the Glendale and Montrose Railway) began service on May 1, 1914. The extension to Eton Drive, subsidized by local real estate developers, started carrying passengers July 20, 1925.[3] Beginning on December 1 that same year, trains were routed through the Belmont Tunnel ("Hollywood Subway") between the Subway Terminal Building and Glendale Boulevard in Westlake.[4] Many trips were replaced with buses starting in 1936,[3] but community feedback from Burbank and Glendale was so great that the California State Railroad Commission pressured the railway to re-expand the service.[5] A full rail schedule was restored in 1950 along with discontinuation of the Eton Drive extension.[3]

The last car on the Broadway section ran on Christmas Eve 1946.[3] On October 1, 1953, the route came under the purview of Metropolitan Coach Lines, who proceeded a series of service reductions.[3] Rail service to North Glendale was discontinued on June 19, 1955, with Burbank service also ending at the end of the service day.[3] The route was converted to bus service.[6]

List of major stations
Station Major Connections Date Opened Date Closed City
Glendale–Burbank
Burbank 1902 1955 Burbank
La Ramada 1902 1955 Glendale
Glendale 1902 1955
Tropico 1902 1955
Subway Terminal Building Beverly Hills, Echo Park Avenue, Owensmouth, Redondo Beach via Playa del Rey, San Fernando, Sawtelle, Sherman, Venice Short Line, Venice via Hollywood, Western and Franklin Avenue, Westgate 1905 1961 Los Angeles

Rolling stock

To expand service after 1936, Pacific Electric purchased unique double-ended PCC streetcars to run on the line. Cars were formed into to trains up to three long. These cars were retired in 1955 along with the service.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Edendale Line". Electric Railway Heritage Association of Southern California. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  2. "Glendale-Burbank Line". Electric Railway Heritage Association of Southern California. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. Veysey, Laurence R. (June 1958). A History Of The Rail Passenger Service Operated By The Pacific Electric Railway Company Since 1911 And By Its Successors Since 1953 (PDF). LACMTA (Report). Los Angeles: Interurbans. pp. 13–19. ASIN B0007F8D84. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  4. "P. E. Subway Is Now Opened for Service". Los Angeles Times. December 1, 1925. p. 1.
  5. "No.1061 Pacific Electric". Market Street Railway. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  6. "L.A. Subway Closes After Special Trolley Car Trip" (PDF). Los Angeles Times. June 20, 1955. p. 8. Retrieved 28 January 2021.


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