Loren Ayers and the Final Day of Operation on the Glendale-Burbank Line
By Paul Ayers
My father, Ray Ayers, and my uncle, Loren Ayers, were serious railfans; Loren was the photographer of the two. They somehow learned of a railfan special scheduled for the last day of operation of the Glendale-Burbank Line, June 19, 1955, and arranged to participate.
Included in our party was my father, my sister Veronica, age 9, me, age 3, my uncle, and his son Allan, age 12. The equipment used for the special was PCC 5010 and Hollywood Car 5160. The only thing I remember from the trip was how much the PCC rocked as it went up Brand Blvd. in Glendale.
The prints and negatives were given to me by my cousin Andrea, Loren’s daughter about 15 years ago.
Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection
Location: North end of Toluca Yard, A portion of the First Street-Beverly Blvd. Viaduct is seen at rear. Based on negative order I always thought this was the first shot in the roll. The trolley pole indicates, however, that the car is inbound. It’s a mystery. At any rate I have no memory and there are no photos indicating where the special started or ended; for some reason I always thought it started at Toluca Yard not Subway Terminal; as I said, a mystery. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.
Location: Whitmore Ave. My sister Veronica looks out a rear window of PCC 5010, followed by me with my arms hanging out of the car and my father, sticking his head and shoulders out. Comparing this photo with the Bill Whyte one already on your site, it appears the Whyte photo was also taken at Whitmore; note the shadow of the pole, the tumbleweed at the front of the car. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.
![Location: India St. My cousin Allan Ayers is at left with camera [wish I had his roll.] I believe my father and sister can be seen in the rear windows of 5010 but cannot be positive. Grade of area has changed dramatically by removal of dirt for use in construction of the Glendale Freeway. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.](http://www.pacificelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AYERS-PE-6-19-1955-3.jpg)
Location: India St. My cousin Allan Ayers is at left with camera [wish I had his roll.] I believe my father and sister can be seen in the rear windows of 5010 but cannot be positive. Grade of area has changed dramatically by removal of dirt for use in construction of the Glendale Freeway. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.
Fletcher Drive Viaduct; 5010 on bridge and 5160 at rear. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.
Location: Best guess, spur track off Glendale Ave. This is something of a mystery shot. I think it depicts movement onto the old Glendale SP-PE transfer spur south of Richardson. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.
Location: SP Main Line at Richardson looking south. The idea of parking a car on the main line is so wrong it boggles the imagination. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.
Location: Brand Blvd. at Broadway, Glendale, CA; view is towards the southeast corner of the intersection. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.
Location: North Brand. The house with the sprinklers on at center rear housed either the fourth or fifth Casa Verdugo. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.
Location: North end of Burbank Station. Spire seen at background marks Bellarmine-Jefferson High School. Loren Ayers photo, Ayers Family Collection.
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Thanks for sharing these photos. Great memories.
I wonder what the tower operator was thinking when that PE car rolled up and stopped on the SP main line for a photo op. Those crazy railfans!