Stunning nostalgic photographs reveal California's 123-year-old mountain railway before it was destroyed by a spate of fires and floods
- Opening in 1893, the Los Angeles-based line became the first electric railroad ever to be built in the United States
- The seven mile-long track started in Altadena and ferried passengers along and up Mount Lowe and Echo Mountain
- Just 45 years after the once popular route opened, a flood hit the mountain and washed almost everything away
Incredible pictures show a 123-year-old mountain railway in action just years before it was abandoned following a spate of natural disasters.
The Mount Lowe Railway, which now stands in ruins in Los Angeles, California, was the third in a series of scenic mountain railways built in America to boost tourism in the area.
Opening in 1893, the line became the first electric railroad ever built in the United States and stretched across seven miles, starting in Altadena, at a station named Mountain Junction, and travelling along Mount Lowe and Echo Mountain - home to the former tourist favourite, the Echo Mountain House hotel.
However, gradually as time passed by, less and less people visited the attraction, which travelled 5,606ft up Mount Lowe, as it was slowly losing its appeal due to issues caused by natural disasters.
In 1900, the kitchen of the Echo Mountain House hotel caught fire and gutted the property which was the first of the mountain's attractions and facilities to be crossed off of the route. Further fires and floods later damaged the majority of the remaining facilities.
Just 45 years after the once popular route opened, a flood hit the mountain and washed almost everything from the peak's sides forcing the owners to abandon the railway, and it never reopened.
One stretch of the Mount Lowe Railway is 5,606ft high- so passengers probably spent their time hoping that it didn't break down
The Mount Lowe Railway, which now stands in ruins in Los Angeles, California, was the third in a series of scenic mountain railways built in America to boost tourism in the area
Opening in 1893, the line became the first electric railroad ever built in the United States - but closed down for good 45 years later
The service stretched across seven miles, starting in Altadena, at a station named Mountain Junction, and travelling along Mount Lowe and Echo Mountain
However, gradually as time passed by, less and less people visited the attraction which was slowly losing its appeal due to issues surrounding its routes. Pictured: The railway's powerhouse and incline station
Built in 1893 and abandoned in 1938, the railway was the only scenic mountain, electric traction railroad ever built in the United States
In 1900, the kitchen of the Echo Mountain House hotel caught fire and gutted the property which was the first of the mountain's attractions and facilities to be crossed off of the route
Just 45 years after the once popular route opened, a flood hit the mountain and washed almost everything from the peaks sides forcing the owners to abandon the railway, and it never reopened
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