"P" Car on First Street

It’s easy to picture L.A. as a railway hub. We have the trains to prove it. But we also at one time had one of the most extensive streetcar systems in the country.

One of those was streetcar Line “P,” also known as the P Cars. As far back as the 1880s, streetcar Line “P” connected mid city Los Angeles with East L.A. In this photo the “P” Car rumbles westbound down 1st Street, probably near Townsend and Rowan, just east of Evergreen Cemetery.

Alas, in March 31, 1963, the last regularly scheduled streetcar left service. If all goes as planned, the Edward R. Roybal Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension will soon open and after 46 years restore rail service to the community.