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Arts & Entertainment

Vintage Video: A Ride on the Last of L.A.'s Red Cars

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Filmed on March 31, 1961, this short film shows the regular journey of the Long Beach-bound Red Car rail line. Just a few days later, on April 9, 1961--51 years ago!--the Red Cars stopped running...forever.

As the film points out, the Long Beach Line was the first Red Car line, and the last.

Once you get past the very dramatic (and brief) title sequence, the train, #1129, departs 6th and Main in Downtown, and heads towards Long Beach.

Enjoy a rare video trip on what was the last of the big Red Cars in Los Angeles.

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