The Los Angeles Railway Company had company sports teams for employees were interested in baseball and basketball. In late 1920, the company organized an orchestra for musically inclined employees. The orchestra’s first concert was in 1921. The above image is one of the earliest photographs depicting the orchestra in the LACMTA Library and Archive’s collections. It was pulled from the April 13, 1925 issue of Two Bells; the full issue can be viewed online at: http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/employeenews/Two_Bells_1925_Apr13.pdf

Employee news magazines printed by the Los Angeles Railway Company were a way for employees to stay up to date with changes in the company and also served as a medium for employees to share their own news.

This title design was created by a motorman working from Division 4 named R.A. Knudson. The editor of Two Bells at the time stated that the image “is a reminder of the mission of Two Bells, the co-operation between employees and the ‘Go Ahead’ spirit that makes for success”.

This design debuted on August 23, 1920. The full issue is available online at: http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/employeenews/Two_Bells_1920_Aug23.pdf

Motormen’s Examination on Equipment on Flickr.

1915.

A study guide to aid potential motormen in the examination on equipment operated by the Pacific Electric Railway Company.

This item is from the Pacific Electric Railway Company Records. Finding aid for this collection is at the Online Archive of California: www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8445jw9/

Conductor Taking Transfers on Flickr.

circa 1940

A conductor takes transfers at the entrance to 1100 series cars.

Mechanic on Flickr.

circa 1945.

A mechanic greasing under a bus.

General Motors Diesel Engine Demonstration on Flickr.

circa 1949.

General Motors diesel engine demonstration at Macy Street Yard.

General Motors Diesel Engine Demonstration on Flickr.

circa 1949.

General Motors diesel engine demonstration at Macy Street Yard.

General Motors Diesel Engine Demonstration on Flickr.

circa 1944.

General Motors diesel engine demonstration at Macy Street Yard.

San Bernardino Freight Yard on Flickr.

circa 1940.

Track workers in San Bernardino freight yard, looking south.

Token Storage on Flickr.

July 1943

A publicity photograph depicting female Pacific Electric Railway Company employees with a large quantity of tokens. Purpose of publicity photo is unknown.