[Dan in Pasadena]

Just a few items as a current Metro employee involved with the construction of the current rail system:

The "MTA" mentioned is Jared's post above about the monorail is in no way connected to the current agency named MTA; now using the name "Metro". The current MTA was created by a state legislation mandated merger of the old SCRTD (Southern California Rapid Transit District) with the then LACTC/RCC - Los Angeles County Transporation Commission and its subsidiary (of which I was an employee) the Rail Construction Corporation.

The name "Red Cars" was a nickname for the coaches used by the Pacific Electric company. There were over 1200 miles of track at its peak and yes it went from Ventura in the north; south to almost San Diego. Of course this was in the days well before the many county transit agencies that exist today. The only agency that works across counties today is the SCRRA - Southern California Regional Rail Authority, which you know (if at all) as "Metrolink". That agency has representation from Ventura, LA, Orange, SB and Riverside Counties on its board. It uses old freight rail right of ways purchased for use by new, low polluting double decker rail cars. It has been very successful but in no wy resembles a modern, catenary light rail system like this thread is bemoaning the loss of.