Oh, yes, the Ca. Public Utilities Commission did indeed tell the railroads which trains to operate, and when. The Espee was ordered to operate " The Niland Turn ", on the route and schedule of the discontinued Golden State, for a couple of weeks in 1968. The operation of this train served a purpose to both parties: CPUC flexed its muscles over Espee for discontinuing Trains # 3 & 4 without getting their approval, and Espee proved that no one rode the train to Indio or Niland anymore. The CPUC was also involved in other Espee "train - off" petitions, including the Starlight & the Lark. From what I've read, CPUC was one of the most powerful state PUC's, and they considered railroads to be within their domain as a utility, even if most were privately owned.