Came across this article randomly, felt it was worth posting. Published in the December 1959 issue of The Southern California Traction Review and available in full here, along with other issues
http://www.erha.org/timepoints/v17n12.htmTHE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME By L.R. Veysey
The ending of a decade makes it appropriate to stop for a moment in the attempt to take a longer view.
What have the 1950s been like for the railfan? What will the 1960s bring?
The 1950s were probably the final decade during which railfan activity would center about a continual succession of “last runs.” Here and there a few systems linger on the brink of abandonment. But much of what remains is “safe” until late in the decade to come.
Of course, very little is left.
But, here and there, separated by odd gaps of from 500 to 2000 miles are clustered the remnants of a dozen or so street railway systems.
Even more infrequent and scattered are the few encouraging evidences of new construction in the electric rapid transit field, which the 1950s also brought to light and which we can all hope will become the harbingers of an increasing trend.
Confining ourselves to the picture in California, what may we expect the 1960s to bring? For whatever they are worth, we offer the following predictions:
During ten years to come, all surface street railways in the state will be abandoned, including those both in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Actual rapid transit construction of some type will take place within the state, probably both in Los Angeles and in the Bay Area.
Finally, the last conventional interurban-type operation - to Long Beach - will disappear within a year, owing to the intransigence of the Southern Pacific Company. (If wrong, we shall rejoice.)
