1258 at Virgil Avenue
Los Angeles Railway H Line car no. 1258 emerges from private right-of-way at Virgil Ave. Note the ACME traffic signal and the contact on the trolley wire to activate it.
Ralph Cantos Collection
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Wow – What a great shot! What street is it that the car is about to cross? I didn’t know they used Acme’s to protect grade crossings! Very interesting photo.
Virgil Avenue, about halfway between 1st and 2nd.
Maybe it’s the lighting and lack of distinct shadows combined with the lack of aging to the structures, but this ALMOST looks like a photo of a model. I know it’s real but it does look like a photo from a hobby magazine.
The photo, above, can easily inspire a modeller to copy the scene on his or her layout – at least on a portion of it. I really like this photo. The scene wonderfully depicts the flavor of old style “traction” railroading from a bygone era.
This photo looks west. In the distance can be seen the BIMINI HOTEL which still stands today. The two large homes on each side of the right of way have been replaced by one large apartment building, other smaller apts. have been built along the right of way as well.
This was a nostalgic find. I use to live in that duplex on the right as a kid from 1959 to 1966. I went by there with my son and a friend and his son to show them where I grew up. As you stated, the duplex on the right and the house on the left have been replaced by large apartments. I use to play in the dirt where the tracks use to be. Played at Shatto Park and went to kindergarten at Commonwealth just south of here. Precious Blood on Occidental for grade school then moved away. I too, thought this was a model railway scene as someone else commented on. There is also a Helms Bakery truck waiting at the crossing. The kids loved their donuts. I’m guessing this picture was taken in the 1940’s. If you have any other information, please post. Thanks for sharing.
Thought I would share this website that shows the H line trackage from Virgil to Bimini Pl., turning north to 1st Street. You may have to copy and paste the site to your browser.
https://laecovillage.wordpress.com/2009/05/02/ride-the-streetcar-to-the-bimini-baths/