Why it's there: Railway map

	Print this article
	Email to a friend
	Discuss

Thursday, August 14, 2008
Matt Hochberg

If you've been down Hollywood Boulevard, you've likely stopped by the tip board to see what the posted wait times are around the park. Sure it may not be perfect, but it gives you a good idea of what to expect and perhaps even which attraction to go to next. What you may (or may not) have noticed is a railway map on the rear side of the building and if so, you may have wondered why it's there.

Basically, the tip board follows a theme that the buildings adjacent to it have, which is to be something out of a train station on the old Pacific Electric rail line that served southern California, reaching it's peak in the 1920's. The tip board is meant to look like a board where passengers on the rail line could see when the next train serving various destinations will be arriving as well as future departure times.

The map on the rear of the building is a replica of the Pacific Electric railway map that would show customers where the line serves and how to get from point A to point B using the line. Additionally, if you pay attention to the clock above the tip board, it has a Pacific Electric theme to it to further the theme of the area. This is part of the overall theme of the corner of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards that try to make you believe that along your way in Hollywood, you've run across the local Pacific Electric station in the area.