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

LOS ANGELES RAILROAD HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Mission & Leadership

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Our Mission

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.

Be sure to keep up with LARHF and SoCal railroad news by signing up for our monthly e-newsletter!

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.

Leaders

Staff

Jo Ann Lesser

Librarian

Josef K. Lesser

Chief Executive Officer

Elrond Lawrence

Executive Director

Hayden Steele

Special Projects Manager

Jared Nigro

Administrative Assistant

Board of Directors

Wendell Mortimer,

President

Robert De Pietro

Ronald R. Gustafson

Vice President

Deke Keasbey

Mark Higgins

Treasurer

Stephen K. Skahen

Orlo Elfes

Secretary

Walt Lester