On Tuesday evening, February 11, at 7 p.m., freelance journalist Ken Alan presented a talk to M.A.C.A., titled “How Railroads Shape Mentone Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” Alan described the 1800s “kite-shaped” track through Mentone, which he described as a figure eight on its side. Alan stated that the trains left Los Angeles’ Union Station, went to San Bernardino’s depot, then came to Redlands and Mentone, which he described as the apex of the larger of the two loops, then to East Highland, Highland, Patton and then back to Union Station [Ed,’s note: from maps others have provided, it appears that the track crossed itself at some point]. The train riders riders came to purchase citrus, he said. He went on to say that the old Patton station was just torn down about five years ago and the Serrano tribe has some of the artifacts from it.
The Arrow train to the University of Redlands utilizes part of the kite-shaped track, he continued. The Arrow is a light rail, not like Metrolink or Amtrak. The Pullman cars come to the downtown Redlands station early in the morning and late at night, he added.
Alan then continued by saying that trains should be more utilized, that more people are riding Metrolink – twice as many from San Bernardino to LA as other Metrolink routes; however, he postulated that the Arrow trains to the University of Redlands are underutilized because there are large gaps in time between the Arrow train and Metrolink at the San Bernardino depot and the City’s website doesn’t mention the Arrow train. He continued by saying that it is his opinion that the Arrow could be utilized by patrons wanting to attend artistic events such as the University theater by simply walking from the University’s station.
He also gave his opinion that, from looking at maps, the Arrow could be extended from the University to Mentone, possibly by utilizing the historical avenues the kite train had used, and encouraged the audience to lobby for that, in order to bring people from LA to Mentone for its events like the Film Festival. However, he was reminded that the area behind the Senior Center – previously the railroad’s right of way – now contains Mentone’s water supply; both it and the vacant lot by Hovey’s tile factory – where Mentone’s historic depot stood on Opal – cannot hold permanent structures anymore.
Alan mentioned taking the train to Olvera Street, walking distance from the historic Union Station in LA, and that there are several stops on the Metrolink routes to LA and Orange County where the cities have street fairs, market nights and other attractions. He added that there is supposed to be a shuttle from the Upland station to the Ontario airport but that often the trains and buses are not coordinated in the times they arrive at the various stations, resulting in a long wait.
Alan encouraged train travel, rather than driving, citing difficulties with cars – obtaining driver’s licenses; car companies going out of business; some freeways are going to be toll; gas prices; freeway gridlock near LA, while the train keeps running toward LA. He also mentioned that 16-year-olds ride free on the train and there are three free days each year for adults [Ed.’s note: on February 4 Metrolink honored Rosa Parks by giving free rides; April 22, Earth Day, is the next free day].
J.P. Gutierrez, MACA president, displayed architectural drawings of Mentone’s historic train station.
It was announced that the next MACA program will be in May or June 2025. MM