It’s not that hard to find photos of the Pacific Electric street cars roaming around Los Angeles in their heyday. But less plentiful are photos taken inside them. So it’s nice to see this circa 1920 photo showing us what the layout was like: A row of double seats on each side and I’m guessing that those hand grips on the aisle seats meant you could change the direction so that four people could sit facing each other? Also, the metal poles in the center of the car, were they cross-bars at around waist height making a turnstile, or just alternative places for passengers to hang on?
Stanley G says: “Passengers entered through the low-step center doors. You can see an entering passenger paying the conuctor. The motorman (driver) is behind the photographer operating the streetcar. You can ride “Hollywood” class cars like this at the Southern California Railway Museum.”
The seats were anchored to the floor and not reversable. The straps were so passengers did not grab onto the shoulders of those already seated while making their way to empty seats or standing while the car was in motion. I recall that standing was discouraged when we took the car to LA
Yes, the seats were anchored to the floor. The seat backs swung forward and backward – effectively reversing the way the seats faced so riders were always facing forward no matter which way the train was travelling.
On the seat back of the first seat on the right side of the aisle, you can see a crescent (?) shaped handle. At the end of the line, the conductor walked down the aisle, grabbing those handles, pulling up and flipping the seat backs forward/backward to effectively “reverse” the seat.
The Red Car on the old Streetscape at the Petersen Museum had wooden seating surfaces (not upholstered). On my tours there, I used to show that feature and tell that story.
I posted a comment this morning that was deleted for some damn reason. I feel QUITE confident in the story because the Streetscape was curated by LA County Natural History Museum and that material is what was used to train us. I trust Martin will confirm the story with our friend Leslie if he has questions.
I grew up in a town with a vast streetcar network, and the old tram car seats were reversible. I didn’t know the Petersen had a Red Car. I must get Leslie to show it to me the next time I’m there.
Well, the Streetscape went away during the 2015 renovation. But I’m sure Leslie has pics.
Sorry for being such a b#tch in my previous comment. I don’t take well to being dismissed out of hand by someone when I know with certainty what I’m talking about.
Martin, the diorama with the PE car recreated this scene from Laurel and Hardy’s movie Hog Wild. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTiU5gyTgIdvOnaMXxhWn6EVXLPcSkGDmnm_blOZ1EEPZjglt5v
They are driving a Ford Model T and get caught between two PE cars, compacting the Model T. Guests could go into the street car and sit down to hear the story of the PE and the growth of LA that PE played a role in.
The kids on school tours were always intrigued by the reversible seats, but generally weren’t tall enough or strong enough to reverse them.
What’s the name of the town that you grew up in?
Gordon
Melbourne, Australia.
Tucked in at floor level just behind the conducter is a kerosine lantern. He would have carried this even in daylight hours because of the complex set of rules that might come into play at any moment. There appear to be no handstraps, so if standing room was allowed on this car then the seat grips would have been useful, especially for young ones and the not so tall.
My opinion is that all of the things that you mentioned are there for passengers to hold on to.
Gordon
Fascinating picture. It’s like you’re right in the moment with them, back in time.