The Portland Cement plant is closed for good in 2010 and Union Pacific stops service on the branch. Sierra Northern takes over as common carrier on the branch until 2011.

RTC buys the branch in 2012.

RTC then contracts with Iowa Pacific to operate rail service on the branch.

(IIRC) There is two lumber customers, car storage, biodiesel, cold storage/cans and a santa train. Future business was a beer plant that wanted service.

There was a big new bridge built during this period.

La Selva Rail Trestle Construction Underway

October 17, 2014

As a condition of the purchase agreement between Union Pacific and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) for acquisition of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail line, funding was designated to upgrade some structures along the 32-mile line.

Work on the largest bridge – the La Selva Beach Trestle – is now underway. RTC’s contractor, Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., secured necessary permits, and construction began in late August.

Danny’s Construction, the bridge erection subcontractor completed demolition of the old bridge using cranes that are currently on site.  Crews have begun pouring concrete to form anchors to the existing footings of the bridge.

Fabrication of the new bridge was completed in Arizona by Stinger Bridge and Iron. 

Pieces of the new bridge are expected to begin arriving in the next couple of weeks for on-location assembly. 

Local carpenters, masons and other labor have been hired to work on bridge.

The project is recycling usable materials including the wooden ties used to secure the metal rail. 

Completion of the new La Selva Bridge is expected in early 2015. The RTC is the lead agency for the project and will work with neighborhood groups to keep them apprised of conditions.

In addition, construction contractors will also perform rehabilitation work on three other bridges.

Measure D is a ½-cent, 30-year sales tax measure passed in November 2016 by over 2/3 of Santa Cruz County voters.

Rail Improvement Efforts

As owner of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line on  behalf of the community, the RTC hired a short line operator to operate freight and recreational rail service and maintain the rail line. 

In addition, the RTC is partnering  with individuals and groups to reduce trash and graffiti on the line. 



Voter-approved Measure D includes a directive to investigate short and long term options for maximizing this transportation resource.Measure D is a ½-cent, 30-year sales tax measure passed in November 2016 by over 2/3 of Santa Cruz County voters.

Rail Structure Upgrades

As part of the 2012 purchase agreement between the RTC and the previous property owner, Union Pacific, $5.3 million in funding was set aside to upgrade structures on the line.

Construction work on four timber and steel trestles, including the La Selva Beach Railroad Trestle, was finished in 2015. 

Voter-approved Measure D also includes funding to maintain and repair rail corridor infrastructure.

The short-line railroad operator is currently responsible for basic rail track and equipment maintenance.

Freight Service

Rail freight service is currently provided by Progressive Rail, doing business locally as St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co., to a number of companies for commodities such as construction and agricultural products. Progressive Rail is based in Lakeville, Minnesota and has several other short line railroads with operations throughout the United States.

Current Passenger Rail Operations

Big Trees Railroad operates seasonal and special event recreational service between Roaring Camp in Felton and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, a route which includes a portion of RTC-owned line. In the future, passenger service may include expanded recreational service, as well as intercity and public transportation service.

Progressive Rail Inc. took over operations in 2018 and wants to beat feet from the zombie branch asap.

So here we are in 2021 and did the RTC ever fix that washout?

Wade said a sun train service can chop down zombies.

Fire up the sun trains!