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Re: Requiem for the Santa Cruz Branch
Author: Shortline Sammie
Date: 01-06-2012 - 08:13
Mike Swanson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Brian Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I am always intrigued by the almost morbid
> remarks
> > concerning the possible demise of railroads,
> The
> > NWP went through the same; no business, NIMBYs,
> > etc were the favourite signs of closure. This
> > time its the Santa Cruz branch which admittedly
> is
> > in similar dire straits but negative comments
> are
> > not what one would expect from any enthusiasts.
> >
> > Carried to extreme, there wont be any lines
> left
> > to be criticised.
>
> And just what, pray tell, gave you the impression
> that "enthusiasts" do not make negative comments,
> or that they shouldn't? I've known plenty of car,
> gun, and airplane "enthusiasts" who've made
> similar comments about companies and other
> subjects in their respective areas of interest, so
> we aren't the only ones who do it, not by a long
> chalk. Bear in mind, too, that not everyone here
> or on other railfan boards are merely
> "enthusiasts"; many of the posters here and on the
> other boards work for or with the railroads
> professionally and have insider knowledge and
> experience with the subject that you or I do not,
> or know people who do. There's a lot of
> information that never gets published or disclosed
> to the general public, and a lot that is said and
> done behind the scenes or behind closed doors that
> you or I may not know about; some of what's
> mentioned here may fall into that category, and it
> may not be as rosy as what the railroad and public
> officials are vetting to the media. Not everyone
> here is a "foamer", and a lot of us are simply
> being realistic and see no point in being positive
> about a situation that isn't.
Good post and opinion! It is sad that ALL rail lines are not candidates for profitable (or even subsidized) operations, but that's just the way it is. We all mourn the loss of the upper end of the NWP...the McCloud...the Port of Tillamook Bay to name a few.
Simple economics dictate which of these branch line (or reincarnated as short line operations) are to survive given the high cost of maintenance (crossing signals in particular) even if you don't run a train but once a month.
The location of the Santa Cruz line plus the loss of its major customer sealed the coffin on this operation upon closure of the cement plant.
From my experience in the business, no amount of justification exists for continuing operation of this line and once the two-year waiting period with no traffic passes for abandonment, expect A&K or one of their competitors to make swift work of bringing the nimbys trail dreams to reality.
Dick Samuels
www.oregonpacificrr.com
I'm sorry...this operation is doomed as a financially viable operation.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Brian Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I am always intrigued by the almost morbid
> remarks
> > concerning the possible demise of railroads,
> The
> > NWP went through the same; no business, NIMBYs,
> > etc were the favourite signs of closure. This
> > time its the Santa Cruz branch which admittedly
> is
> > in similar dire straits but negative comments
> are
> > not what one would expect from any enthusiasts.
> >
> > Carried to extreme, there wont be any lines
> left
> > to be criticised.
>
> And just what, pray tell, gave you the impression
> that "enthusiasts" do not make negative comments,
> or that they shouldn't? I've known plenty of car,
> gun, and airplane "enthusiasts" who've made
> similar comments about companies and other
> subjects in their respective areas of interest, so
> we aren't the only ones who do it, not by a long
> chalk. Bear in mind, too, that not everyone here
> or on other railfan boards are merely
> "enthusiasts"; many of the posters here and on the
> other boards work for or with the railroads
> professionally and have insider knowledge and
> experience with the subject that you or I do not,
> or know people who do. There's a lot of
> information that never gets published or disclosed
> to the general public, and a lot that is said and
> done behind the scenes or behind closed doors that
> you or I may not know about; some of what's
> mentioned here may fall into that category, and it
> may not be as rosy as what the railroad and public
> officials are vetting to the media. Not everyone
> here is a "foamer", and a lot of us are simply
> being realistic and see no point in being positive
> about a situation that isn't.
Good post and opinion! It is sad that ALL rail lines are not candidates for profitable (or even subsidized) operations, but that's just the way it is. We all mourn the loss of the upper end of the NWP...the McCloud...the Port of Tillamook Bay to name a few.
Simple economics dictate which of these branch line (or reincarnated as short line operations) are to survive given the high cost of maintenance (crossing signals in particular) even if you don't run a train but once a month.
The location of the Santa Cruz line plus the loss of its major customer sealed the coffin on this operation upon closure of the cement plant.
From my experience in the business, no amount of justification exists for continuing operation of this line and once the two-year waiting period with no traffic passes for abandonment, expect A&K or one of their competitors to make swift work of bringing the nimbys trail dreams to reality.
Dick Samuels
www.oregonpacificrr.com
I'm sorry...this operation is doomed as a financially viable operation.
