Programs
Programs
Programs
Programs
The Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation is built on three elements: preservation, adventures and education. Our education initiatives include Boy Scout Railroad Merit Badge classes and Urban Archeological tours. For the general public LARHF's permanent "satellites" displays are continuing sources of historical and geographical educational information. The displays consist of archival and contemporary photographs. Complementing the photos are prototypical miniature train models.
Programs
Programs
Programs
Programs
Satellite Exhibits
The Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation is built on three elements: preservation, adventures and education. Our education initiatives include Boy Scout Railroad Merit Badge classes and Urban Archeological tours. For the general public LARHF's permanent "satellites" displays are continuing sources of historical and geographical educational information. The displays consist of archival and contemporary photographs. Complementing the photos are prototypical miniature train models.
Programs
Programs
Programs
Programs
Satellite Exhibits
The Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation is built on three elements: preservation, adventures and education. Our education initiatives include Boy Scout Railroad Merit Badge classes and Urban Archeological tours. For the general public LARHF's permanent "satellites" displays are continuing sources of historical and geographical educational information. The displays consist of archival and contemporary photographs. Complementing the photos are prototypical miniature train models.
Roger L. Titus is a noted rail-traction historian and postcard collector. He is the co-author of "Destinations," a LARHF-published title documenting the rise of Southern California through vintage postcards and their relationship to the trolley lines that fueled Southland growth. As a teenager, Roger and his father Robert rode the Pacific Electric and Los Angeles Railway systems, photographing the systems as they were on the verge of shutdown. His collection provides a brilliant snapshot into late-1940s through late-1950s Southern California, and how trolley systems defined our way of life.
Ralph Melching (1917-2005) was a founder of the Pacific Rail Society (née Railroad Boosters) and an avid rail photographer throughout his adult life. Ralph photographed a wide variety of rail-based subjects, including the construction of Los Angeles Union Station in 1938-39, as well as the Pacific Electric Railway and main line railroads.
Ralph Melching (1917-2005) was a founder of the Pacific Rail Society (née Railroad Boosters) and an avid rail photographer throughout his adult life. Ralph photographed a wide variety of rail-based subjects, including the construction of Los Angeles Union Station in 1938-39, as well as the Pacific Electric Railway and main line railroads.
Ralph Melching (1917-2005) was a founder of the Pacific Rail Society (née Railroad Boosters) and an avid rail photographer throughout his adult life. Ralph photographed a wide variety of rail-based subjects, including the construction of Los Angeles Union Station in 1938-39, as well as the Pacific Electric Railway and main line railroads.
Ralph Melching (1917-2005) was a founder of the Pacific Rail Society (née Railroad Boosters) and an avid rail photographer throughout his adult life. Ralph photographed a wide variety of rail-based subjects, including the construction of Los Angeles Union Station in 1938-39, as well as the Pacific Electric Railway and main line railroads.
Ralph Melching (1917-2005) was a founder of the Pacific Rail Society (née Railroad Boosters) and an avid rail photographer throughout his adult life. Ralph photographed a wide variety of rail-based subjects, including the construction of Los Angeles Union Station in 1938-39, as well as the Pacific Electric Railway and main line railroads.
Ralph Melching (1917-2005) was a founder of the Pacific Rail Society (née Railroad Boosters) and an avid rail photographer throughout his adult life. Ralph photographed a wide variety of rail-based subjects, including the construction of Los Angeles Union Station in 1938-39, as well as the Pacific Electric Railway and main line railroads.
National Geographic Collection
National Geographic Collection
Mission & Leadership
Our Mission
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The Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation diligently preserves and dynamically presents rail history with a focus on the Los Angeles Basin!
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Founded in 1999 by Josef Lesser and Ron Gustafson, the Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation (LARHF) preserves, shares, and celebrates the history of railroading throughout the Los Angeles and Southern California.
We do this with satellite exhibits across the Southland, by sharing our archive of historic photography and memorabilia, by hosting member field trips and special events, by holding Scouting classes on railroad safety, and with our book publishing series. We employ our resources and expertise to support media, researchers, authors, heritage groups, and local communities.
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As of June 2023, LARHF's prestigious collection of rail ephemera, models, photographs, library and more are now housed and on display at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, CA.
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Visit our subscription page here.
The Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation is a non-profit educational corporation chartered in the State of California in 1999 as a California Corporation numbered C2104684. The corporation is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation maintains offices at 825 Colorado Blvd. Suite 242, Los Angeles, California, 90041.
Founders
Ronald R. Gustafson
Staff
Jared Nigro
Chief Operations Officer
Thomas Cisneros
Historian
Jo Ann Lesser
Librarian
Hayden Steele
Special Projects Manager
Stephen J. Skahen
President
Robert De Pietro
Deke Keasbey
Treasurer
Orlo Elfes
Ellie Trope
Secretary
Mort Mortimer
Michael Cisneros
Walt Lester
George Higgins
Martin Willhite
Josef K. Lesser