This book chronicles the operational history of the Pacific Electric Railway's electric-powered passenger and freight trains from 1911 to 1953. It provides an extensive visual record of this forty-two-year period, focusing on the diverse fleet of cars and locomotives that served the system. The detailed captions accompanying the photographs offer specific insights into the major classes of rolling stock utilized by the PE during its operational years.

This book is a specialized historical account, likely appealing to rail enthusiasts and historians of Southern California's transportation infrastructure. Its focus on a specific period and detailed photographic evidence suggests a resource for those interested in the technical and visual aspects of the Pacific Electric Railway. The extensive photo collection with detailed captions indicates a work intended for in-depth study rather than a broad overview.