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Re: Sierra Northern taking over Santa Cruz branch
Author: Brian Bergtold
Date: 12-02-2009 - 09:11
I've been taking video of the various UP ops remaining on the line in prep for this eventuality. The big question in my mind is whether A) this is UP choosing their preferred shortline operator in conjunction with Santa Cruz County and their purchase of the line, or B) this is Sierra making an end run around the County and any future plans to put the operation out to bid. The County has been quite vague about their planning.
For those wanting to catch the UP in action on the branch in its waning days as their operation:
-A local comes into Santa Cruz on Monday afternoons around 2pm, which means they depart Watsonville Jct anytime after 11am as they often serve cold storage shippers on the branch in Watsonville proper.
-A job will go out to the Watsonville customers as needed during the week, as well as pretty consistently on Sundays after lunch. A few customers in town that haven't used rail service in ages have suddenly started receiving cars.
A large amount of stored cement empties remain on CEMEX property in Davenport, the last of which were left by the final Santa Cruz Local to visit the plant back on 3/19.
3 ex DRGWs lead the last proper Santa Cruz Local by Manresa
For those wanting to catch the UP in action on the branch in its waning days as their operation:
-A local comes into Santa Cruz on Monday afternoons around 2pm, which means they depart Watsonville Jct anytime after 11am as they often serve cold storage shippers on the branch in Watsonville proper.
-A job will go out to the Watsonville customers as needed during the week, as well as pretty consistently on Sundays after lunch. A few customers in town that haven't used rail service in ages have suddenly started receiving cars.
A large amount of stored cement empties remain on CEMEX property in Davenport, the last of which were left by the final Santa Cruz Local to visit the plant back on 3/19.
3 ex DRGWs lead the last proper Santa Cruz Local by Manresa
