Re: Requiem for the Santa Cruz Branch
Author: mook
Date: 01-06-2012 - 17:10
Of the shippers you mentioned, only one is not in Watsonville. Now that UP has taken the line back, I would expect an embargo or surcharge on work past Watsonville that renders shipments there uneconomic. Sad, but almost certainly true. I also lived in SC area at one time, and still have family there - the railroad is part of the atmosphere. But from an economic standpoint it's even deader than NWP; SC politically and economically is definitely not an area that will support industrial or commercial activity that requires rail service. S.End of NWP at least had several large feed/lumber operations that were potential (and now actual) sources for near-daily traffic, and the at-least-partially-funded prospect of a public agency upgrading & maintaining the line for commuter service (probably reducing maintenance costs). Outside of Watsonville (i.e. local switching off Watsonville Jct. by UP) that doesn't exist in SC absent the cement plant. Even the old feed mill (or whatever that place was at 17th Ave. that had just gone out of business when I lived there) is gone. So unless the County somehow can go through with the purchase anyway - perhaps teaming with RC&BT for excursion service? - I think those of us who want to remember the line should spend a little time with cameras there in the very near future.