Gold Line Foothill Extension Preview Ride from Pasadena to Azusa

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The view from the cab of the Gold Line test train westbound into Downtown Azusa Station. All photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.

Today, Metro hosted its first press preview for journalists to ride the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension. The 12-mile project includes 6 new stations. It will open on March 5th.

The 12-mile Foothill Gold Line Extension will open March 5, 2016. Image via Metro
Foothill Gold Line Extension map via Metro

Overall the ride was smooth. The train departed Pasadena’s Sierra Madre Station, stopped very briefly at the intermediate five stations, but did not open doors until it arrived just 20 minutes later at the Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College Station at the eastern edge of Azusa.

After the jump, find a photo and video tour of the Foothill Extension.

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Approaching the Tongva basket bridge over the 210 Freeway
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Arcadia Station

Gold Line train arriving at Monrovia Station

 

 

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Irwindale Station

Gold Line train ride through Azusa

 

 

 

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The terminus station of the initial phase of the Foothill Extension is the Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College Station
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Metro CEO Phil Washington interviewed at the APU/Citrus station
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Industrial brewery in Irwindale viewed from the Gold Line
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There are a number of historic station buildings visible from the train. This is the old Monrovia station building.

Gold Line train returning westbound through San Gabriel Valley

 

 

 

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The 210 Freeway bridge viewed from the train cab
The new Kinkysharyo rail cars have video monitors that display upcoming station stops
The new Kinkysharyo light rail cars have video monitors that display upcoming station stops

The grand opening for the new Foothill Extension will take place on March 5. The passenger service timetable [PDF] (link updated 2/18) has been posted online. For a tour of the then-under-construction Gold Line Extension, see the 2014 SBLA series of articles on the rail line, transit-adjacent development, bridges, and maintenance yards.

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