The Train Took Us There 10.22.10
October 22, 2010
Amtrak passenger train crosses the Santa Fe Viaduct from Highland Park over the Arroyo Seco in October 1992. Photo by Richard Sugg via RailPictures.net.
Before the Metro Gold Line made its 200 daily crossing on this, Los Angeles’ oldest bridge, there was the occasional Amtrak passenger train and Santa Fe freight train that used it on the way to and from Pasadena, San Bernardino, and points beyond. Another time, but in the same place. All part of Highland Park’s extensive rail history.
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Never knew this was our oldest bridge. Cool photo. Thanks.
When my brother and I were children, we somehow ended up standing on the Figueroa side of the bridge, daring each other. And then we did: We took off, running across the bridge, skateboards in hand. It seemed to take an hour to cross the bridge, the other side looked so close when we started. We didn’t know when the next train would come (they still crossed on regular schedules throughout the day) but we planned to lay on our stomachs at the farthest edge away from the rails, if one did. None did, and we made it across without incident.
When we were extra-little, my family had a picnic in the park down there below the bridge, and when we heard the train’s horn blaring, signaling an imminent crossing, we kids ran to the base of the bridge and climbed onto the first cross-bar, sitting or hanging on, as the train shook the bridge as it passed over-head.
Great photo!!
And great comment Pladdis.