(Any photo with a narrow blue border can be double-clicked for a larger version.)
The Preview was set for 6 to 9
p.m. Since it was in the former Harvey House in the LA Union
Station, what better way to travel from Fullerton to Los Angeles than
on the train. We purchased Amtrak tickets on train 583 at 5:17
pm, and train 792 to return at 8:15 p.m. I took my TravelScoot and the type of tickets we purchased were Adult-Disabled, for me and Companion to Dissabled for Sue.
Parking is very convenient in a new parking garage west of Harbor Blvd.
with an exit onto the station platform. Once on the platform, we
waited for the 5:17 train which eventually arrived 50 minutes late. My
first sight of train 583 was disappointing, because it is a single
level trainset, meaning that 3 giant steps must be navigated for Sue
with her limited mobility, and me with my TravelScoot. Perhaps
the 500 train numbers are this single-level trainset.
Train No. 583 arriving 50-minutes late, scheduled for 5:17 p.m.
My TravelScoot had a place near the 3-step entry.
Los Angeles River and downtown Los Angeles in this early evening
light from the flyover, looking like an antique post card taken with an
iPhone.
Knowing we had to walk under 14
tracks plus through the enormous waiting room to get to the event, Sue
hailed a red-cap cart and I followed in my scooter through the south
patio to the former Harvey House.
This new sign can be seen from the Alameda entrance to the station.
The Los Angeles Conservancy had a professional photographer there
who took this photo of the entrance to the Preview. Mike Hume - HistoricTheatrePhotos.com
Immediately inside the entrance to the event we were offered a taste of one of their brews.
This was a fund raiser for the Los
Angeles Conservency, so many members had red "Ask Me" buttons and name
tags. Jill Thomsen explained the procedure and said all food and
drinks were included in the price of tickets.
We enjoyed oysters, scallops, shrimp, house smoked pork ribs, crispy
fried chicken and little gem lettuces with our Chardonnay and Shirley
Temples. Of course, there were 12 different beers available as well.
(Any photo with a narrow blue border can be double-clicked for a larger version.)
A photo of what is on the four double-sided screens above the bar.
The former Harvey House has been beautifully restored with
original floor tile, wall ceramic tile, and interior color scheme of
Mary Colter.
It was designed by Mary Elizabeth
Jane Colter, an architect who is often credited with helping to build
up the reputation of the Southwest as a romantic tourist
destination—not only though her designs for other Harvey House outposts
but also through her extensive work in national parks.
I asked for permission to go up to
the balcony for a photo, but learned that this area is still the
property of Metro and not the Imperial Western Beer Company. The
photographer on the right, above, confirmed the lack of access.
He was taking photos for the Consevancy, but has his own photographic
website: historictheatrephotos.com, Mike Hume.
Games abound and no TV screens - maybe the art of conversation will return in at least this one venue.
There are elevated booths along both the east and west walls from where I took this photo of the main floor.
From the main floor, south toward the former kitchen, is the brewing area and Patio Bar.
Left of the entrance to the Brewery and Patio Bar is this intersting barrell.
The Brewery
The Patio Bar, pretty uninspiring compared to the rest of the place.
Hand washing area outside the restrooms adjacent to the Patio Bar.
On the east side of the facility is The Streamliner bar.
An LA Conservancy Docent, who leads station tours on Saturdays, Dave
McManamin, showed me this original photo when it was a Harvey House.
Sue enjoyed talking with Lindsay McManamin, also a Conservancy Docent
who gives station tours. From Lindsay we learned that what we
thought was wallpaper next to us was ceramic tile from the original
construction.
We enjoyed talking with the LA
Conservancy docents about the station so much that we almost missed our
Train No. 792 which was to leave at 8:15 pm. Outside the event,
Sue hailed a red cap cart and got a ride to track 12 and I raced my
TravelScoot there as well.
The TravelScoot on the lower level of a long-distance Amtrak
car. Since this car is bi-level, there is a short lift of
the scooter into the car compared to the 3 big steps of a single-level.
When we arrived trainside, the same conductor that we had ridden
up with saw us and opened the lower level of the long distance car in
the bi-level trainset. We made sure that he knew we were getting
off at the first stop, Fullerton, beause normally this door is not
opened. Sure enough, when we arrived in Fullerton, he was there
to open the dooor for our departure.
Sue and I had a very enjoyable evening at the Preview of
the Imperial Western Beer Co. and The Streamliner at Union Station.
