1 TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Emma Kelley, Recreation Manager
MEETING DATE: November 7, 2023
SUBJECT: Discussion and Consideration of a Potential Loan to the City of a Replica Red Car from the Ports of Los Angeles
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss, and provide staff direction to draft a formal loan agreement with the Ports of Los Angeles for the loan of a replica Waterfront Red Car in a form to be approved by the City Attorney and return to the Council for consideration and possible approval.
BACKGROUND
On September 22, 2023, the Ports of Los Angeles reached out to the Lomita Railroad Museum to discuss the City’s interest in accepting on loan to the Lomita Railroad Museum a replica Waterfront Red Car. City staff expressed interest and met with staff from the Ports of Los Angeles to discuss further as well as to inspect the Red Car.
The Waterfront Red Car is an authentic replica of the famous 1908 Electric “Red Cars” that served Los Angeles until 1961. In 2003 the Waterfront Red Car Line was established in San Pedro. Two replicas’ cars, No. 500 and 501 were built and operated to connect the Port’s waterfront attractions until 2015 and since then have been in storage. In total three “Red Cars” are currently in storage at the Ports of LA.
On October 24, 2023, the City of Lomita received a letter (attachment 1) from the Ports of Los Angeles formally offering to loan either Waterfront Red Car No. 500 or 501. Three museums have been selected to possibly receive these Red Cars on Loan from the Ports.
The Henry Huntington Art Museum in San Marino, if they accept, will receive the Red Car No. 1058. Travel Town at Griffith Park and the Lomita Railroad Museum would receive on loan Red Car No. 500 or No. 501.
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. SCH 8b
2 DISCUSSION
Should the City Council desire to accept the loan of the Waterfront Red Car, City staff will work with the Ports to develop a mutually agreeable loan agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney and return to the Council for consideration of formal acceptance once completed. City staff will also work to develop plans for placement of the Red Car at the Railroad Museum site.
This initiative aims to provide a unique and historical attraction for the community while strengthening the connection between the city and the Ports of Los Angeles. The Ports of Los Angeles have expressed interest in keeping a replica trolley within the South Bay region, and the Lomita Railroad Museum is a renowned institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of railroads in our area.
OPTIONS
1. Approve the recommended action.
2. Discuss, and provide alternative direction.
3. Take no action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There may be nominal fiscal impacts associated with the loan and maintenance of the Red Car once on site, as well as for any preparatory work to be completed prior to delivery. It is expected that the Ports of Los Angeles would cover the cost of the transportation of the Red Car should the city accept the loan.
ATTACHMENT
1. Loan letter with pictures and facts sheet
Approved by:
___________________________ __________________________
Gary Y. Sugano Ryan Smoot
Assistant City Manager City Manager
Prepared by:
______________________
Emma Kelley
Recreation Manager
THE PORT
OF LOS ANGELES 425 S. Palos Verdes Street Post Office Box 151 San Pedro, CA 90733-0151 TH/TDD 310 SEA-PORT www.portoflosangeles.org Karen Bass Mayor, City of Los Angeles
Board of Harbor Lucille Roybal-Allard Diane L. Middleton Commissioners President Vice President
Eugene D. Seroka Executive Director
October 24, 2023
Michael Munoz
Commissioner
Edward R. Renwick
Commissioner
I.Lee Williams
Commissioner
Send via U.S. Mail and Email
r. smoot@lom itacity. com
Mr. Ryan Smoot, City Manager
City of Lomita
24300 Narbonne Avenue
Lomita, CA 90717
Dear Mr. Smoot:
SUBJECT: PORT OF LOS ANGELES WATERFRONT RED CAR
The Port of Los Angeles (Port) is interested in loaning the Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car (Red Car) to the Lomita Railroad Museum. The Red Car is an authentic replica of the famous 1908 Electric "Red Cars" that served Los Angeles until 1961.
In 2003, the Waterfront Red Car Line was established in San Pedro, CA, and marked the first time in more than 40 years that Red Cars had run anywhere in Los Angeles using a historic Red Car route. The Waterfront Red Car Line was established to connect the Port's waterfront attractions together, and become its own nostalgic attraction, while encouraging local tourism and commercial investment. The Red Car Line stopped operations in 2015 and the Red Cars were sent to storage where they remain to this day.
Subject to approval by the Harbor Board of Commissioners and compliance with the Public Trust doctrine, the Port is offering to loan the replica Red Car to the Lomita Railroad Museum, as the museum is dedicated to California's railroad history and serves a public purpose. Enclosed are photos and specifications for replica Red Car's No. 500 and 501, one of which will be available to loan.
If you are interested in receiving the replica Red Car, Port staff is available to discuss the entitlements required regarding the loan. The agreement would include a 90-day notice from the Port to terminate and return, if needed.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - AFFIRMA T/VE ACTION EMPLOYER Printed on recycled paper@ Attachment 1
POLA Red Car page 2 of 2
If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please contact Melissa Knight of the Port of Los Angeles Waterfront and Commercial Real Estate Division at (310) 732- 3863 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
:Jvl.icfiae{ J. (ja{vin
MICHAEL J. GALVIN
Director of Waterfront & Commercial Real Estate
MG:HP:MS:MK:fo
G:\DOC\Melissa\Memos Letters\Ltr to Lomita RR_Red Car Loan.docx Enclosed: Red Car Nos. 500 & 501 Photos
Red Car Facts and Figures
CC: Office of the City Attorney - Minah Park
Deputy Executive Director - Michael Di Bernardo
City of Lomita - Emma Kelley
[email protected]
RED CAR FACTS AND FIGURES Car 1058 Car 500/501
Seating/Standing Capacity: 54 seated 48 seated
78 standing 42 standing
Speed Limit: 20 mph 20 mph
Height: 13½ feet higher 13½ feet higher
than trolley pole than trolley pole
Length: 55 feet, 7 inches 43 feet
Weight: 80,000 lbs. 58,500 lbs.
Types of wood used: Mahogany (interior) Mahogany (interior) Poplar (exterior paneling) Poplar (exterior paneling)
Ash (seats) Ash (seats)
Paint and varnish: 9 coats of paint (exterior) 9 coats of paint (exterior) 11-13 coats of varnish 11-13 coats of varnish
(interior) (interior)
7 coats of varnish (seats), 7 coats of varnish (seats), topped with hard shell topped with hard shell
protective coating protective coating
Painted Exterior Colors: “Pacific Electric Red” “No. 1 Electric Lines Red” Adopted in 1939 by Adopted in 1915
Pacific Electric throughout the Southern
(500-class cars were Pacific System for its
retired before color electric railway of lines,
was introduced) including Pacific Electric
Year Built: 1907 2003
Year Discontinued: 1950 N/A
Original number: 963 N/A
Pacific Electric Class: 950-class, modified patterned after 500-class, in 1960s to resemble which ran from 1902-1930
1000-class
General Information
Total Project Cost: $9.5 million
Crewmembers: 6 carpenters
2 electricians
5 painters
4 welders
1 mechanical helper (18 total)
Construction Time: 3 years
Electrical Power: Electric motor on each of the four axles.
An electric wire (called the trolley wire) is located over each track where the Red Cars run, and a trolley pole on the roof of each Red Car slides along trolley wire to bring the electricity into the car. The wire is the “hot” side of the 600-volt DC circuit, and the rail is the “ground” side. As the Red Cars travel down the tracks drawing power for
their motors, they complete the electrical circuit.
Electrical System: The electrical system is functionally identical to the original Red Cars, but is built with modern components.
Airbrake System: Each car has its own air compressor, which keeps a set of large tanks on each car pumped with compressed air. To
stop the car, the brake system applies compressed air into the car’s brake cylinder, moving a set of rods and levers under the car, which press iron brake shoes against the wheels.
Smaller Windows Along Upper Clerestory windows, a form of air conditioning used in Side of car Exterior: the early 1900s. Opening these windows helps keep the air moving inside the car, but they could be closed on cold days. The clerestory windows on Cars 500 and 501 are the same amber color as on the original Red Cars.