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Proposed Recreational Rail Services Santa Cruz ranch Line
Author: South Pacific Coast
Date: 02-27-2011 - 19:35
I snipped the following from the February 3, 2011 SCCRTC Minutes.
Cliff Walters, staff from Sierra Northern Railroad, gave an overview of the existing freight service on the rail line and the discussion that he had with fellow Sierra Northern staff Chris Hart and Dave Magaw about the proposed plan for recreational service. Sierra Northern is working with the City of Santa Cruz on the details of the service which is planned to start in May 2012.
Sierra Northern is collaborating with the non-profit Golden Gate Railway Museum and hopes to use historic Lark Southern Pacific enclosed rail cars, which are the same as those used for the Suntan Special.
The planned service would consist of several rail cars with one car being ADA compliant. That car will be set up to secure all types of wheelchairs on one side of the car with seating on the other. Ramps will be constructed at the station stops to bring passengers up to the train floor elevation. The proposed service is envisioned to start near Depot Park and Washington Street and initially have stops at the main entrance of Wilder State Park and at plaza near Kellys Bakery.
Service is planned to be on a year-round basis and with each trip being 2 hours long with a 12-mile round-trip. Trains would leave every 2 hours and individuals would be able to stay at each stop as long as desired before returning to Depot Park. The ticket cost has yet to be determined. The train would have enclosed cars, run at 15 mph on Class I track, and have a capacity of 220 people per train. Sierra Northern is considering layers of service; first class to coach fares with a bar/club car planned which will highlight local foods. The train itself would not have bathrooms, but bathroom facilities are present near Depot Park and at each stop. Sierra Northern is also discussing how to accommodate bicycles and possibly surfboards for the future. Cliff said this plan of service, depending on how successful, could extend to destinations in Davenport in 2 to 3 years.
Issues discussed included advanced reservation requirement for riders with special needs, ADA compliant ramps to access the train and if a Certified Access Planner Specialist (CAPS) would review the plan for the ADA compliant ramp installation planned. The E&D TAC members requested that, if at all possible, the plans include restrooms on the train.
Cliff Walters, staff from Sierra Northern Railroad, gave an overview of the existing freight service on the rail line and the discussion that he had with fellow Sierra Northern staff Chris Hart and Dave Magaw about the proposed plan for recreational service. Sierra Northern is working with the City of Santa Cruz on the details of the service which is planned to start in May 2012.
Sierra Northern is collaborating with the non-profit Golden Gate Railway Museum and hopes to use historic Lark Southern Pacific enclosed rail cars, which are the same as those used for the Suntan Special.
The planned service would consist of several rail cars with one car being ADA compliant. That car will be set up to secure all types of wheelchairs on one side of the car with seating on the other. Ramps will be constructed at the station stops to bring passengers up to the train floor elevation. The proposed service is envisioned to start near Depot Park and Washington Street and initially have stops at the main entrance of Wilder State Park and at plaza near Kellys Bakery.
Service is planned to be on a year-round basis and with each trip being 2 hours long with a 12-mile round-trip. Trains would leave every 2 hours and individuals would be able to stay at each stop as long as desired before returning to Depot Park. The ticket cost has yet to be determined. The train would have enclosed cars, run at 15 mph on Class I track, and have a capacity of 220 people per train. Sierra Northern is considering layers of service; first class to coach fares with a bar/club car planned which will highlight local foods. The train itself would not have bathrooms, but bathroom facilities are present near Depot Park and at each stop. Sierra Northern is also discussing how to accommodate bicycles and possibly surfboards for the future. Cliff said this plan of service, depending on how successful, could extend to destinations in Davenport in 2 to 3 years.
Issues discussed included advanced reservation requirement for riders with special needs, ADA compliant ramps to access the train and if a Certified Access Planner Specialist (CAPS) would review the plan for the ADA compliant ramp installation planned. The E&D TAC members requested that, if at all possible, the plans include restrooms on the train.
Proposed Recreational Rail Services Santa Cruz ranch Line