PE Cars on Hollywood Boulevard

By Ralph Cantos

PE’s “Hollywood Cars” were the dominant class of cars that operated along the famous boulevard until September of 1954.

But in this remarkable photograph taken around 1927, among the Hollywood cars is a lone 950, taking on passengers at Highland Avenue. That 950-class car was operating on the HOLLYWOOD-VENICE local line. From about 1918 until late 1928, wood cars of the 500 class handled most runs on that line, with 950s occasionally assigned to the service.

As more and more Hollywood cars were placed into service, the sight of a big 950- or 500-class cars began to diminish. By late 1928, all runs on the Hollywood-Venice were operated by Hollywood cars. Rail service to Venice was provided by the “Venice Short Line” and the Hollywood-Venice Line. Both lines started at the Subway Terminal. However, the running time for the Hollywood-Venice service took about 90 minutes as compared to the VSL running time of about 55 minutes. So, it came with little surprise that PE abandoned Hollywood-Venice rail service in mid-1940. For the next 14 years, the sight of a wood-bodied PE interurban on Hollywood Boulevard was usually a fan trip using a 950- or 1000-class car.

Every now and then, trolley wire greasier no. 00150 would appear on the boulevard, a sight truly to behold.

Ralph Cantos Collection