VCTC confirmed that Sierra Northern is in negotiations for a long term operations and maintenance contract of the Santa Paula Branch. If you look on the VCTC meeting section of the website and look under the Sept 10 agenda you’ll find that VCTC was to vote to extend the maintenance contract with Sierra Northern until Dec 31 which coincides with the date that F&W needs to either get their stuff off the line. This is also where they confirm that Sierra Northern is who they are negotiating with, but it needs more time.

And to OP: VCTC probably gave Sierra Northern temporary trackage rights for this movie shoot, it wouldn’t make sense to give F&W trackage rights when they’re in the process of kicking them out.