North Chester Line (Bakersfield and Kern Electric)
Encyclopedia
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.
The line was originally single track, constructed with 36-pound rails. 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.
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.
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).
B&KE = Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway
Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway
The Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway was a streetcar company which operated between Bakersfield and Sumner , in California. Later, after Kern City was annexed by Bakersfield, the streetcar company operated completely in Bakersfield. The company was originally formed in 1887, under the name...
. 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
West 19th Street Line (Bakersfield and Kern Electric)
The West 19th Street Line was a line of the Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway. The route originated at the intersection of 19th Street and F Street, and traveled west on 19th Street. It would turn south on Oak Street and terminate at Truxtun Avenue. For most of its life, the line was combined...
. The line was constructed in 1903, as part of the original expansion plan. It closed in 1933.
The line was originally single track, constructed with 36-pound rails. 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.
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.
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
Garces Memorial Circle
Garces Memorial Traffic Circle, informally known as Garces Circle or just The Circle, is the only traffic circle in Bakersfield, California. The traffic circle is located at the intersection of Chester Avenue, Golden State Avenue and 30th St in Bakersfield. The Circle was originally built as a...
(which is just south of the Southern Pacific tracks).
Connections
- Santa Fe and Southern Pacific LineSanta Fe and Southern Pacific Line (Bakersfield and Kern Electric)The Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Line was the main line of the Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway. It operated between the Santa Fe Bakersfield Station and the Southern Pacific Bakersfield Station . It was the first line in the system, constructed in 1888...
(B&KE) - Southern Pacific Chester Station - with connections to Southern Pacific local routes serving CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
B&KE = Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway