Pacific Electric Catalina Dock Line

Background:
This single track line gave PE trains access to the Catalina steamer dock. Great patronage resulted in vacation times, and the Catalina Specials were familiar sights on the South for years. Such trains ran to the dock from all parts of the system, and brought such cars as the 950s to the South for their infrequent visits.

Route:
From a junction with the San Pedro via Dominguez Line at Anaheim Street and McFarland Avenue, Wilmington, via McFarland Avenue and private way to the Catalina Terminal (Water St.), a distance of approximately 1.19 miles.

History:
This line entered passenger service in March 1920, coincident with the opening of the new Catalina Dock. It ran continuously (except for a period during World War II when the island was closed) during summer sessions until October 12, 1958. With the abandoment of the San Pedro-Dominguez Line on December 8, 1958 this line also saw abandonment.

Equipment:
Practically all classes of rail equipment in interurban and suburban service saw service to the Catalina Dock at one time or another. Basically, equipment was the same as that used on Long Beach and San Pedro via Dominguez Lines.

Track:
90 lb. rail on redwood ties, with gravel ballast on unpaved portion; that portion in McFarland Avenue was 90 lb. rail on redwood ties, gravel ballast and asphalt paving.

Electrical Facilities:
None on the line; power came from San Pedro via Dominguez Line.

Car Storage:
Two tracks at Catalina Dock each held six large cars, On good vacation days these tracks were full, with additional Catalina cars being stored at Firsts Street, San Pedro.

Freight:
Considerable freight traversed the line, all of which was operated by Harbor Belt Line.

Passengers:

Passengers:
Year	Passengers	Miles	Revenue
1950	115,416	41,017	$51,187
1952	72,089	28,133	39,277
1954	54,533	22,896	27,321
1956	41,232	16,012	24,127
1958	(Figures unavailable; line included in San Pedro Line).

Miscellaneous:
This line provided the Southern District with some of its longest and heaviest trains. The Catalina Special of the mid-Twenties and thirties often ran in six-car trains, and these in several sections if the day happened to be particularly salubrious.

In the pre-diesel days, most tracks alongside the harbor docks were electrified; boat trains ran over this line to reach other docks, but such movements were not regularly scheduled, being operated to conform to steamship schedules.

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