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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
 4.8 of 5 (18)

This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions Sky City Productions SCP-PACELE 608819299013
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This Was Pacific Electric tells the entire story of Southern California's famous RED CARS. Beginning in 1874 with the first horse car, this wonderful production follows the P.E. from its glory days in the 20's, into the depression of the 30's, through a resurrection in the war years and on to its final demise in 1961. But this documentary tells an even bigger story.

Produced in cooperation with the world famous Huntington Library, This Was Pacific Electric explains the interweaving of this famous railway and the development of Southern California -- Five counties that became what they are today because the RED CARS of the PE.

The story is told through historical film and hundreds of still pictures. It contains interviews with historians, those who worked on the railway, and those who simply remember the days when you could travel anywhere in Southern California by electric rail.


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DVD Item#:SCP-PACELE
Runtime:1 Hour, 30 Mins ($0.25/min)
Producer:Sky City Productions
Aspect Ratio:Full Screen
DVD UPC:608819299013
Shrink Wrapped?:Yes
Disc Type:DVD
Region Code:0 Worldwide NTSC
This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Arty (Sydney, Australia) on 2012-07-20 17:14:44.

People who found this review helpful: 9

We have verified that this reviewer has purchased this item from Train Video Depot because this reviewer is a member of our loyalty program and was signed in when they purchased the item and when they left the review.

  •  5 of 5


A marvelous DVD showing the beginings through to the end of "The Big Red Cars". Very well researched and produced with an excellent commentary on an era largely forgotten. The DVD takes both a nostalgic and pragmatic look at the Pacific Electric's rise and fall, and looks at the people who created and evolved the system, interviews with those who operated the "big red cars" and those riding them plus the communities served.
There is an excellent bonus sequence taking a tour of present day hints of the old Pacific Electric routes and pointing out telltale signs of what once was from track cracks in pavement to "ancient" advertising signs showing through faded modern paintwork, from rusting bolts on buildings that held aloft the electric cables to modern building alignments still respecting the old right-of-ways.
It is a DVD to be enjoyed over and over.

Additional remarks by Arty:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
tvd review on 2007-09-25 09:41:26.

People who found this review helpful: 7

  •  5 of 5


Wow! This is an extremely well done presentation on the COMPLETE history of the PE. Covers everything from the early days of Los Angeles to the abandonment and after. Whether you're familiar with the Pacific Electric or not, I'm sure you'll find this very entertaining. A lot of content came from the Transit Gloria Mundi's 3 DVD set of Pacific Electric content. Some of the content came from the world class Huntington museum, library and gardens in San Marino.

The best part is something that looks like it was just thrown in as an extra. To me it alone would be worth having. The camera follows a VERY passionate and knowledgeable "foamer" around current day LA showing us areas where the Red Cars ran and what they look like now including little artifacts of what is still there and in some cases buried (I never heard of the term "track crack" until now).

It's guaranteed you won't be disappointed with this one!

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Tom T (Rochester,NY) on 2011-09-05 12:04:11.

People who found this review helpful: 4

  •  5 of 5


The world needs more videos like this--it is entertaining and very informative because it gives the detailed history of a great lost system and does not feature endless run-bys.
One gets to know how and why Pacific Electric was created,what it did for the develpment of Southern California and why it disappeared.The bonus feature describes the sad remains that would be difficult to find by your own travels.

Additional remarks by Tom T:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Joe Moreno (Watsonville, CA) on 2012-10-08 21:59:23.

People who found this review helpful: 3

  •  5 of 5


The video brought back old memories of my youth. I was born and raised in L.A. and the Red Cars and buses were part of my daily life. Also the Yellow cars and buses. You could go all over Southern California in the Red Cars and I did. Too bad the system is not still here. We could have saved so much money if we had.

Loved it. Will look over your list and look for more.

Additional remarks by Joe Moreno:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Bill (Gig Harbor WA) on 2012-08-31 12:57:59.

People who found this review helpful: 2

  •  5 of 5


I was impressed by this video. I actually learned a lot more than I already knew about the Pacific Electric. I recommend it for any traction fan.

Additional remarks by Bill:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Sea2Sea (Illinois) on 2011-09-01 11:54:58.

People who found this review helpful: 2

  •  5 of 5


Really excellent video.Will be looking for more.

Additional remarks by Sea2Sea:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Yes.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Sky King (North Reading, Ma) on 2011-08-16 13:21:52.

People who found this review helpful: 2

  •  5 of 5


This video should be required viewing of all transportation administrators and planners in and around the greater Los Angles area.
It is possible to return to your roots.

Additional remarks by Sky King:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Yes.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Rail Buff (Southern California) on 2016-01-30 10:02:03.

People who found this review helpful: 1

We have verified that this reviewer has purchased this item from Train Video Depot because this reviewer is a member of our loyalty program and was signed in when they purchased the item and when they left the review.

  •  5 of 5


I watched this DVD some time ago and agree with everything the other reviewers said. Excellent journalism about the rise and fall of the Big Red Cars. It also put to bed all those conspiracy theories about City Lines and General Motors plotting to replace them with buses. Sadly, they were just no longer a viable business enterprise. I only rode one once, LA to Long Beach and back. Wish they'd preserved all their rights of way though. Sure would have made today's rapid transit far easier to implement in the LA area.

Additional remarks by Rail Buff:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Yes.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
David Gillette (CALIFORNIA) on 2014-04-03 13:21:55.

People who found this review helpful: 1

We have verified that this reviewer has purchased this item from Train Video Depot because this reviewer is a member of our loyalty program and was signed in when they purchased the item and when they left the review.

  •  5 of 5


I enjoyed the video very much. It was very well done. Stephanie Edwards was very good as the narrator. It was both entertaining and educational. I have already watched it twice and will watch it many more times and share it with friends.

Additional remarks by David Gillette:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Robert W. Brunner, M.D. (Urbana, Illinois) on 2014-03-01 12:20:58.

People who found this review helpful: 1

  •  5 of 5


I and my family have watched the Pacific Electric DVD, and we have decided that it was one of the better ones on the Pacific Electric! It has a very fine historic guide line of the PE history! If you are interested in the PE history and have a pictorial history to go along with it, this is a great DVD for you!!

Additional remarks by Robert W. Brunner, M.D.:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Jerryj107 (Philadelphia, PA) on 2012-08-31 13:13:29.

People who found this review helpful: 1

  •  4 of 5


Very interesting program. Today with the herrendous traffic problems they have in Calif. they should have never done away with this mode of transportation but upgraded it.
To do so now would be cost prohibitive.

Additional remarks by Jerryj107:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Howard (Cumming, GA) on 2011-09-02 09:08:20.

People who found this review helpful: 1

  •  4 of 5


Great for train lovers, better for history lovers!

Additional remarks by Howard:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Bruce Stockbridge (Little Rock, AR.) on 2011-09-01 13:51:55.

People who found this review helpful: 1

We have verified that this reviewer has purchased this item from Train Video Depot because this reviewer is a member of our loyalty program and was signed in when they purchased the item and when they left the review.

  •  5 of 5


Footage that was incredibly done from the earlier days of the big red cars....!!!

I had the fortune to be able to ride on the very last car to Riverside and back to Glendale....!

Additional remarks by Bruce Stockbridge:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Yes.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
kurt (Sparks NV US) on 2016-06-29 13:41:32.

We have verified that this reviewer has purchased this item from Train Video Depot because this reviewer is a member of our loyalty program and was signed in when they purchased the item and when they left the review.

  •  5 of 5


This DVD was done with great detail. They had photos of different types of cars and locomotives. But to me the most interesting thing was the first hand interviews of people who worked, rode and photographed it.


Additional remarks by kurt:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
alexbarbershop (Long Beach, CA) on 2016-01-25 12:57:01.

  •  5 of 5


I would recommend that anybody who lives or has spent time in Los Angeles county watch this. If you've ever sat in standstill rush hour traffic on I-405 and wondered why LA has to be like this, the answer is in this documentary.

5/5 The most informative and comprehensive history of LA rail history I have seen to date. Highly recommended.

Additional remarks by alexbarbershop:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Peter E. Perret (Johnstown, Pa. 15905) on 2015-03-20 09:22:49.

  •  5 of 5


it is a good historical overview. Particularly, for me, the post wwII decline. I don't mind an occasional bus because it is the reality of that era. Early views of NYC are good too. I saw the church I used to attend when I lived there.

Additional remarks by Peter E. Perret:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Yes.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
CHARLES R PATTON (Georgetown TX) on 2014-11-18 18:01:51.

  •  4 of 5


For many years, I spent a lot more time in New York and Chicago than I did Los Angeles. They were compact, yet you quickly learned how to get to any part by public transportation. Your DVD pointed out from the start that L.A. Was spread out, as much caused by the growth of Pacific Electric as anything else. Also the main part of the city was considerably back from the water, a factor which inhibited the growth of the other two cities in that direction. Now with a daughter living in Los Angeles, I have visited it many times and quickly realized the importance of having an automobile. The background to the demise of P.E. was what the DVD offered, and this was accomplished in a most interesting manner.

Additional remarks by CHARLES R PATTON:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.

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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City Productions
Orangegreg (Central Tablelands, NSW, Australia) on 2014-09-17 23:48:57.

We have verified that this reviewer has purchased this item from Train Video Depot because this reviewer is a member of our loyalty program and was signed in when they purchased the item and when they left the review.

  •  5 of 5


Very entertaining & informative. It explained well the flaws in the PE business model that doomed it. Great for train buffs and students of LA social history alike. Thoroughly recommended - an Australian admirer of PE.

Additional remarks by Orangegreg:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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