I have been slammed with too much work for clients the past month to visit the operation, but I do stay in touch with the SC&MB and Iowa Pacific managers to keep up to date with recent activity and future operations. It looks like the dinner train operation will begin during the latter portion of 2016 and will depart from the West Side of Santa Cruz and travel towards Davenport and return to Santa Cruz. Here is a photograph of a SC&MB passenger train crossing Antonelli Pond on a return trip from Wilder Ranch by in 2012. The return of passenger trains to the Davenport Branch of the rail line will be a welcome sight.

[www.railpictures.net]

Here is a breakdown of current and future SC&MB passenger cars.

Current SC&MB passenger car set.

SLRG 3106 open/table car. Was CBRW 101 “Chateau Ste. Michelle.”

SLRG 8000 dome diner. Was CBRW 104 “Mount Rainier.”

SLRG 9159 baggage-power (HEP). Was CBRW 107.


Passenger cars that will be joining by year’s end.

SLRG 3114 table car. Was CBRW 102 "Cascade.”

SLRG 5 round-end observation car. Was CBRW 105 “Olympic.”

SLRG 1398 table car. Was CBRW 103 “Columbia Winery.”


Passenger car that will be joining SC&MB later in 2016.

SLRG 59 full dome. Was CBRW 108.

For now the exteriors will be cleaned and the window banding may be repainted. In the future, the cars may be repainted in Iowa Pacific chocolate and orange to match the F9’s.

I also suggested the cars be renamed for locations along the branch line. I suggested the cars be named Harkins Slough, Manresa, La Selva Beach, and Wilder Ranch. I was told Ed Ellis has been agreeable to this approach on other railroads.

I will provide more updates as I have time.