SO sorry I did not do some research before I posted my comment. Here is what I learned:

The “Suntan Special” ran from 1927 to 1941, when it was discontinued because of the war. It resumed operating in 1947 and ran until 1959, for a total of 26 years. During this time, it ran at different times on 3 routes, leaving the SP main line at:
1. Palo Alto, via the Los Altos cut-off
or
2. San Jose, via Vasona
or
3. Watsonville, via Chittenden Pass

Here are 3 EXCELLENT articles on Santa Cruz, the SP, and this train:

1. Lots of fascinating info, including dates and a 1939 timetable (which can be enlarged so it is readable):

http://www.vasonabranch.com/railroad/vasonapass.html

2. A number of great photos, and much interesting info on the city and these trains:

http://www.santacruztrains.com/2012/07/santa-cruz-main-beach-casino-station.html

3. Jon Pullman Porter’s excellent article has some good recent info and photos:

[www.rattenne.com]


Here are 6 photos of the train:

1. In 1928 -- double-header next to the Plaza del Rey Apartments in Santa Cruz:

http://www.santacruztrains.com/2012/07/santa-cruz-main-beach-casino-station.html

2. In 1932 -- at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk:

http://memories.beachboardwalk.com/southern-pacific-railroads-sun-tan-special-1932#.VrmRPebIJLE

3. In the late 1930s -- 3 Suntan Special trains laying over in the Santa Cruz yard:

[www.rattenne.com]

4. In 1947, August -- in Santa Cruz, a double-header. The first “Suntan Special” since WW2 began in late 1941:

[zierke.com]

5. In 1947, August, on a Sunday, at 5:10 pm, probably the same train as the photo above -- the very first Suntan Special since 1941 (the beginning of WW2). A Fred Stoes photo. There is no text with this image:

http://www.fdelaitre.org/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/SC_2012_2.jpg

Here is Delaitre’s blog -- text in Fench, which gives details about when this photo was taken (even to the time of day!) and who took it:

http://www.fdelaitre.org/wp2/2012/07/santa-cruz-update/

6. In 1958 -- Santa Cruz:

http://memories.beachboardwalk.com/suntan-special-train-1958#.VrpDZebIJLE