[gravitycop]

LA used to have a world-class train system

It was just a movie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Electric#The_.22General...

Other factors that may have contributed to the decline of electric traction in the United States include [...] low revenues.

[steveplace]

Don't forget:

The plot of the 1988 movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit is loosely modeled on the conspiracy to dismantle the streetcar lines in Los Angeles.