PCC Streetcar

Car 3001 was Los Angeles’ first PCC-type streetcar. It was unveiled on March 22, 1937 by L.A.  Mayor Tom Shaw and child film star Shirley Temple, in a ceremony in front of City Hall (click here for a video of the event on YouTube). Public reaction to these modern cars was very favorable, and Los Angeles ultimately purchased a total of 165 PCCs between 1937 and 1948.

Car 3001 and its sisters were initially assigned to the Pico Blvd. “P” Line, which was the LA Railway’s busiest. As more PCC cars were added to the fleet, other lines were converted to PCC service.

As motor bus substitution shrunk the streetcar network in the 1950s, PCCs replaced older streetcars on the remaining lines. By 1958, the PCCs were Los Angeles’ sole remaining class of streetcars. 3001 was used until the abandonment of all streetcar service in 1963, in which year it came to the museum. It has been restored to its as-delivered color scheme, which it wore from 1937 until repainted by the LA Transit Lines in the late 1940’s.

Additional Photos:

2004 views at OERM. John Smatlak photos. Click to enlarge
3001 in 1937, shortly after delivery. OERM Collection	2005	March 2006

Los Angeles Railway page