My wife and I were heading up to Davenport recently for breakfast and we took a detour because of traffic that directed us up Laurel Street. As we crossed Chestnut I noticed a UP hi-rail at the interchange switch and we stopped to see what they were doing. I was surprised to see them since the line is out of service. They said they have to maintain this part of the line because of Roaring Camp's easement and were very happy to be back in Santa Cruz working on the line. I was pleased to see all the work they were doing on the branch line.

When we were up at Davenport the ROW appeared to be in good shape, except for the agricultural crossings, which are badly fouled.






When we returned from Davenport we stopped at the wye and saw a UP tractor grading the ballast Sierra Northern dumped on their last day of operation at the wye. I also noticed that the storage trailer that Sierra Northern had placed in their new storage area was gone, but the ties remained. There were two UP hi-rails at the wye and the UP crew was replacing ties, raising the rail elevation and setting the gauge. I’m sure the UP track crew really appreciated the new secure storage area that Sierra Northern built for them just before they departed. All those new ties left behind were a nice bonus. It appears they will all be used rehabbing the wye segment used by Roaring Camp.

Ballast left by Sierra Northern on their last day of operation.




Ballast graded by UP.




UP takes over the recently built Sierra Northern storage area.




This segment of the wye has had many new ties replaced over the last few days.




UP track crew replacing ties, raising the rail elevation and setting the gauge.




Track and bridge maintenance and repair can currently be observed from Walker Street in Watsonville to the wye in Santa Cruz. I have not noticed any work being done beyond the wye to Davenport. So far the only interested operators I have heard about are Roaring Camp and one other company. I see the SCCRTC has extended the deadline for proposals from March 28th to April 6th.