"The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) will receive a report during the public session of the Commission’s February 3, 2022 meeting related to a potential adverse abandonment action for freight service only on the Felton Branch Line.."

"There is currently no active freight rail service on the Felon Branch Line, but Roaring Camp has indicated that it will oppose railbanking the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line."


"The RTC has offered Roaring Camp a long-term license on the RTC-owned branch line, which would permit continued Roaring Camp recreational rail service to the Boardwalk and potential new recreational service to Davenport. The RTC has also offered financial considerations if Roaring Camp’s equipment needs to be to be delivered by truck.“The Commission would prefer to reach an agreement with Roaring Camp to not oppose railbanking, but to date we have been unsuccessful in negotiations. Adverse abandonment of the Felton Branch Line is a potential procedural action toward accomplishing railbanking of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, in the event an agreement cannot be reached,” said Executive Director Guy Preston. “We have a lot of respect for Roaring Camp. They are a valuable asset to the Santa Cruz County community, and we want to ensure that they continue to have a successful business for the long term.” "


"If the RTC were to move forward with this action and the STB were to approve a proposed adverse abandonment action for freight service, Roaring Camp would be able to continue its passenger tourist service on the Felton line and could potentially also continue the same type of service on a portion of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line upon entering into a mutually acceptable agreement with the RTC."