PE-1624

The 1624 is an electric locomotive which hauled freight trains throughout PE’s extensive system. Although primarily remembered as a passenger carrier, the Pacific Electric did an extensive freight-hauling business in Southern California for the first half of the twentieth century. PE built the 1624 and twelve other identical locomotives in its own shops in 1924-25. The locomotives were patterned after the predecessor 1601 class, built by Baldwin-Westinghouse.

As the 1950s progressed, freight service on the PE was gradually converted to diesel locomotives. This locomotive and sister 1622 survived until the end of electric freight service in January, 1958. Their last assignment was switching along Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood . In April of 1958 locomotive 1624 was donated to the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and put on display at the Pomona Fairgrounds. The 1624 was donated to the Museum in 1960. 

The 1624 was used regularly on the Museum Railway into the 1980s. After suffering from air compressor problems, failing roof boards under its trolley pole, and general exposure to the elements, it was out of service from about 1995-2005. In 2005, its roof was reassembled and rewired (the trolley boards had been replaced some years before). In 2006, the locomotive returned to limited service, and once again appears on the Museum Railway during special events.  With the completion of Carhouse Seven, the 1624 and the rest of the Pacific Electric collection finally received an indoor home.