3 (Los Angeles Railway)

1924 alignment

The first version of 3 was introduced in 1924, and was coterminous with the original A line. From a terminus at Adams Boulevard and Alsace Avenue, it ran via Adams Boulevard, Normandie Avenue, 24th Street, Hoover Street, Burlington Avenue, Venice Boulevard, Hill Street, First Street, Broadway, and Lincoln Park Avenue to Eastlake Park. This route was discontinued in 1930.

1931 alignment

Following much of the original route of the R Line, the new route 3 was drastically different. It is notable for its close parallels to Wilshire Boulevard, which never had a transit line of its own because auto traffic was too heavy. The new 3 ran from the intersection of Larchmont Boulevard and Melrose Avenue to Central Station, by way of Larchmont Boulevard (forming the backbone of the Larchmont neighborhood), 3rd Street, a private right of way running between Gramercy Place and Wilton Place, 6th Street, and 5th Street. From the start of this routing until 1935, short turns were made from 5th to 3rd and were designated as the 4 Line (distinct from that number's 1939 incarnation). The route was converted to trolley bus operation in 1947, eight years after Central Station closed.

The trackless line was extended to 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue in September 1950.

Trolley coach and bus conversion

The service was maintained and transferred to Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1958. The agency replaced trolley buses with SilverLiner coaches after March 31, 1963; the new service retained the number 3.

Sources

References

1. (1928). "Map of Los Angeles California".
2. "'3' - West 6th Street And Larchmont Boulevard Line (1931-1947)".
3. H.P. Noordwal. (1938). "Route Map Los Angeles Railway Electric Car and Bus Routes". Los Angeles Railway.
4. "4".
5. Walker, Jim. (2007). "Los Angeles Railway Yellow Cars". Arcadia Pub.
6. (September 8, 1950). "Transit Lines Fete Changes of Routes". The Los Angeles Times.
7. (18 January 2012). "March 31: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History". Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
8. (April 1963). "SilverLiners Take Over!". [[Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority]].