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WPacific Electric logoPacific Electric
Westgate Line

Introduction:
W WESTGATE LINE ROUTE: From Hill St. Station to Sawtelle this line followed same route as the Santa Monica via Beverly Hills Line. From Sawtelle, this line looped north and west on private way through Brentwood, returning to the Sawtelle Line at Santa Monica & Ocean Ave. The line terminated at Broadway Station, Santa Monica, and returned over the same route as described. Track was on private way long San Vicente Boulevard. from Wilshire Boulevard. to Montana St. & Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica, thence in paved street on Ocean Ave. to the station. This line was double track throughout except for short portion at the junction in Sawtelle. HISTORY: The Brentwood Line was built 1906 to serve an undeveloped part of beautiful countryside in which LAP's owners, Sherman & Clark had heavy real estate interest. The line was built as a double track, narrow gauge electric line on private way. It was standard gauged in 1908. When opened, it was known as LAP's Westgate Division and was 5.82 miles in length from Sawtelle to Ocean & Santa Monica Boulevard. PE assumed control of this line in 1911 and operated it until abandonment on June 30, 1940. OPERATION: As of 1911, through service was operated from Hill St. Station to Santa Monica, running hourly from 7:25 AM to 6:25 PM, with also an hourly shuttle service from Santa Monica to Sawtelle, providing a combined 30 minute service on the Sawtelle-Santa Monica portion. Evenings saw all service shuttle, on a half hourly headway until midnight. By January 6, 1913, but two round trips daily from Hill St.Station were operated, shuttle service running every 30 minutes all day and evenings between Sawtelle and Santa Monica. On February 1, 1927, a through service to Hill St. Station was established on a 30 minute headway during base and rush hours; a 30 minute shuttle service ran nights and Sundays. This improved service remained in effect until October 25, 1933, when headways became 40 minutes for base through service, and shuttle service remained on a 30 minute headway nights and Sundays. This schedule remained in effect until abandonment. As of 1927, through cars were allowed the following time between stations: From Hill St. Station to Vineyard (5.48 miles), 28 in mid-day; Vineyard to Beverly Hills(4.63), 12 in mid-day; Beverly Hills to Sawtelle (3.27), 10; and Sawtelle to Santa Monica (6.07), 25. Thus for the entire 19.52 mile distance, 75 minutes were required. Running time allowed the shuttle car(a Birney) was 21 minutes outbound and 25 minutes inbound. Also in 1927, 42 through trains were operated on week days, plus 29 shuttle trips; these comprised 21 outbound trips from Hill St. Station, 21 inbound trips, 20 outbound shuttle trips and 19 inbound shuttles. EQUIPMENT: Eight cars of the 800 and 950 Classes were required for through service as of 1927, plus one Birney. These were stored overnight at Hill St. Station and Ocean Park Carhouse. One man crews were used on the Birney shuttle car. PASSENGERS (Fare & Transfer) Year Passengers Car Miles Revenue 1913 394,283 246,195 $ 30,541 1916 337,709 201,669 19,984 1918 319,991 202,110 20,130 1920 340,953 178,608 22,424 1922 305,325 178,120 23,390 1924 350,688 183,000 27,133 1926 263,017 193,756 31,410 ELECTRICAL FACILITIES: Same as for Santa Monica via Beverly Hills Line. FREIGHT: Small amount to Soldiers' Home. MISCELLANEOUS: This line received a large share of its patronage from veterans and employees of the Soldiers' Home, Sawtelle. TRACK: From Sawtelle to Ocean & Montana, rail was 60 lb. T-rail on redwood ties with gravel ballast. From Ocean & Montana to Ocean & Santa Monica, rail was 128 lb. girder on treated ties, rock ballast and asphalt paving. Rail on private way was never replaced since the day it was first laid down and by the late Thirties was in a deplorable state.


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