Colton Line
The Colton Line was a local streetcar line, mostly known as being a service of the Pacific Electric. It operated between Colton and San Bernardino, one of two lines in service between the two cities.[1]
| Colton | |
|---|---|
 Car 136 in service on 8th Street in Colton, 1910 | |
| Overview | |
| Locale | Inland Empire |
| Termini | San Bernardino Colton |
| Service | |
| Type | Streetcar |
| System | Pacific Electric |
| History | |
| Opened | 1902 |
| Closed | February 22, 1942 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 4.24 mi (6.82 km) |
| Number of tracks | 1 |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Electrification | 600 V DC Overhead lines |
History
The line was established by the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company in 1902.[2] The company was absorbed into the Pacific Electric in 1911. In 1913 the service was through-routed with the D Street–Highland Avenue Line. Completion of the more direct San Bernardino–Riverside Line in late 1914 greatly reduced demand on the line, with ridership reduced by more than half on the old line the following year. Despite its lesser popularity, the Colton Line outlasted the shorter route, remaining in service until February 22, 1942.[3]
Route
The line started at the Colton station at 9th and J Streets near Colton Crossing where passengers interchanged with intercontinental trains. Cars ran west on J for a block before turning north on 8th Street. At Vernon Avenue, the tracks ran northward until the main line at 3rd Street where a right turn continued into San Bernardino.[2][3]
References
- Pacific Electric Railway Time Table (PDF). wx4's Dome of Foam. Pacific Electric. March 26, 1932. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- "San Bernardino Local Lines". Electric Rail Heritage Association. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- Veysey, Laurence R. (June 1958). A History Of The Rail Passenger Service Operated By The Pacific Electric Railway Company Since 1911 And By Its Successors Since 1953 (PDF). LACMTA (Report). pp. 64, 107. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
