Armando Ybarra, who rode the Yellow Cars to work and school on the Eastside as a teen, gets a sneak preview of the Gold Line extension through the neighborhood. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, surrounded by the media at the Soto Street station, was among the dignitaries on the preview tour of the Gold Line extension. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
A view from the operator’s seat of the above-ground route, which makes up the bulk of the new line’s length. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
A sculpture of a bird’s nest is suspended from a vaulted ceiling and nestles an acrylic egg at the Gold Line’s Soto Street station. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Mayor Villaraigosa walks up the stairs followed by the media as he leaves the Soto Street station. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Armando Ybarra was among residents invited for the preview tour of the Gold Line extension. The ride reminded him of his teenage days riding the old Yellow Cars to the Eastside. He now lives in Whittier. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
