With Cemex gone, rail line becomes a train car parking lot

By Genevieve Bookwalter gbookwalter@santacruzsentinel.com

Friday, April 2, 2010 - 6:40 p.m.

SANTA CRUZ — On the nine-mile stretch of rail line from Santa Cruz to Davenport, more than 50 empty train cars have taken temporary residence in tucked-away spots between Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean.

Strategically placed not to block ocean views or beach access, the cars represent a new way to make money on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line: by using it as a parking lot.

"It's a common thing that's done," said Mike Hart with Sierra Northern Railway, the short-line operator contracted by rail line owner Union Pacific to run the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.

The opportunity arose after Davenport's Cemex cement plant closed at the beginning of the year. Cemex was the line's biggest customer, and trains traveled there three times a week. Cemex also was the only rail line customer north of Santa Cruz.