Lomita Railroad Station Featured in Winning Photo Contest Image

The sight of a parked, early 1900s-era Southern Pacific steam locomotive, a 1949 Santa Fe caboose and a 1923 Union Oil tank car are sights that likely take many motorists by surprise as they make their way down 250th Street in the serene city of Lomita. 

Brian Mitchell captured this winning image at the Lomita Railroad Museum.

When Brian Mitchell learned of their existence, he decided the industrial looking red, black and white antique train cars at the Lomita Railroad Museum were just the objects he wanted to capture for his class assignment at Paul’s Photo Academy in Torrance.  

“You are in this residential neighborhood and then, boom, there are trains there.” Mitchell said. “It’s pretty impressive. There are full-scale trains of all kinds. It’s a great photo opportunity.”  

Mitchell’s photo captured the attention of voters in the South Bay Cities Council of Government’s (SBCCOG) second annual “Why I Love the South Bay Photo Contest.” The contest invited the community to submit their best photographs of South Bay landmarks. The winning photo was announced at the 23rd General Assembly on March 23.  

Brian Mitchell receives a congratulatory certificate for his winning photo at the SBCCOG’s 23rd General Assembly, March 23, 2023.

“We received a nice variety this year representing points of interest from many of iconic South Bay locations, ranging from the Vincent Thomas Bridge to the Redondo Beach Historic Library.” said Jacki Bacharach, executive director of the SBCCOG. “It’s fun to see what inspires the creative imagination of our community’s residents.” 

The SBCCOG received more than 65 entries. With the help of Kevin Cody, publisher and founder of the Easy Reader newspaper, it narrowed them down to 10 finalists. Another of Mitchell’s images, featuring the Point Fermin Lighthouse in San Pedro, also made the top-10. Those who registered to attend the General Assembly were invited to vote online to select the winner.   

Mitchell has been a South Bay resident for more than 50 years and is a retired landscape architect. He has worked to develop a few notable South Bay landmarks himself, including Wilson Park in Torrance and The Home Depot Center in Carson.  

Newly inspired by his contest win, he hopes to spend even more time pursuing his visual arts hobby in the future. To learn more about the Lomita Railroad Museum, built in 1966, visit www.lomita-rr.org. Scroll down to view the other nine finalists. 

Second Place – Edmund Cheung – “Moon Over Vince Thomas Bridge” – San Pedro

Third Place – Christine Ho – “Epic Sunrise at the Port of Los Angeles” – Los Angeles 

Remaining finalists in no particular order.

Finalist – Michael Caulfield – “Wayfarers Chapel” – Rancho Palos Verdes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalist – Daniel Lefranc – “Redondo Beach Historic Library” – Redondo Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalist – Arturo Garcia – “Vincent Thomas Bridge” – San Pedro 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalist – Brian Mitchell – “Point Fermin Lighthouse” – San Pedro

Finalist – Michelle Jones – “Neptune Fountain” – Palos Verdes Estates 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalist – John Santos – “Korean Bell of Friendship” – San Pedro 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalist – Ernie Santos – “Future Unlimited at the Carson City Hall” – Carson