Huntington Beach–La Bolsa Line

The Santa Ana–Huntington Beach Line is a former Pacific Electric interurban railway line in Orange County, California. A single car provided a suburban service between Huntington Beach and the sugar refineries in La Bolsa.

Huntington Beach–La Bolsa
Overview
OwnerSouthern Pacific
LocaleOrange County, California
Termini
  • La Bolsa
  • Huntington Beach
Service
TypeInterurban
SystemPacific Electric
Operator(s)Pacific Electric
History
OpenedFebruary 1911 (1911-02)
ClosedNovember 9, 1928 (1928-11-09)
Technical
Line length1.7 mi (2.7 km)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line600 V DC

History

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The railway route served as a Southern Pacific steam railway line prior to 1911, when the section between Huntington Beach and La Bolsa was electrified by the Pacific Electric. Passenger service began that February and was utilized by workers at three sugar refineries at La Bolsa. The refineries closed starting in 1923, greatly reducing passenger demand on the line.[1] Service was discontinued after November 9, 1928.[2]

Freight

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The sugar refineries were a large source of freight revenue for the line. Traffic continued into the 1950s, long outlasting passenger service.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "La Bolsa Line". Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  2. ^ 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, California: Interurbans. p. 22. ASIN B0007F8D84. OCLC 6565577.