North Chester Line (Bakersfield and Kern Electric)

North Chester Line
Overview
Type Streetcar
System Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway
Status Abandoned
Locale Bakersfield, California
Termini 19th St / Chester Ave
Southern Pacific Chester Station
Operation
Opened 1903 (1903)
Closed July 24, 1933 (1933-07-24)
Depot(s) 19th St / Union Ave Car barn
(1903-1912, 1920-1933)
19th St / Oak St Car barn
(1912-1920)
Technical
Track gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification 550-volt DC Overhead lines
Route map
Legend
South Chester Line
19th St / Chester Ave
Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Line
21st St / Chester Ave
24th St / Chester Ave
26th St / Chester Ave
28th St / Chester Ave
30th St / Chester Ave

Southern Pacific Chester Station
SP
34th St / Chester Ave

Route in 1915

The North Chester Line was a line of the Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway. The route originated at the intersection of 19th Street and Chester Avenue, and traveled north on Chester. For most of its life, the line was combined with the West 19th Street Line. The line was constructed in 1903, as part of the original expansion plan. It closed in 1933.[1]

The line was originally single track, constructed with 36-pound rails.[2] It would run on Chester Avenue, until 24th Street. It would then, turn east for one block. The line would then turn north again, on K Street. It would continue north and terminate at the Southern Pacific railroad tracks.[3]

In 1911, the line would see two major changes. The K Street section would be realigned to Chester Avenue (terminate at the Southern Pacific Chester Station), making the route straight. Although the franchise, granted to the company, allowed the line to be constructed to 34th Street, it was not constructed north of 32nd Street. This was most likely because of the cost involved in crossing the Southern Pacific tracks. The line was also double tracked and replaced with 87-pound rails.[1]

The 1930 timetable showed trains running every 20 minutes. However, revenue for the streetcar line was declining. On July 24, 1933, the line was abandoned. It would also remove the obstacle to the construction of Garces Circle (which is just south of the Southern Pacific tracks).[1]

Connections

B&KE = Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bergman, John. The Southern San Joaquin Valley: A Railroad History. Jostens Printing and Publishing Company. Visalia, California: 2009. ISBN 978-0-615-25105-9. Page 139-140.
  2. Lynch, George. The Streetcars, Gone but not Forgotten. The Bakersfield Californian. March 11, 2008. Accessed: 05-09-2011.
  3. Bergman, John. The Southern San Joaquin Valley: A Railroad History. Jostens Printing and Publishing Company. Visalia, California: 2009. ISBN 978-0-615-25105-9. Page 136-137.
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