Posted on 02/01/2022 5:55:41 PM PST by nickcarraway
Roaring Camp Railroad is known for its holiday and beach train rides to the Boardwalk and through Redwood Forests in Felton. Now the operator of those excursions is concerned they could come to a screeching halt.
"What I want to get out is that Roaring Camp Beach Train is really not being threatened," said Santa Cruz County supervisor and Regional Transportation Commission member, Manu Koenig.
The RTC Commission is considering a process called reverse abandonment. It could remove Roaring Camp's right to use the line to transport freight which the company fears could ultimately put them out of business.
"It will strip us of our federal protection and then we have nothing that guarantees our future if there's an imminent domain move either by a future Regional Transportation Commission or another agency," said Roaring Camp CEO Melani Clark.
"We're looking for a resolution that would allow that to continue but we do have concerns on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line," said Guy Preston, executive director of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Agency.
The cost of rail line maintenance is at the center of the dispute.
The Santa Cruz Branch line runs from Watsonville to Davenport.
The tracks were severely damaged during storms in 2017 and although repairs have been made there remains $50 to $60 million in repairs needed to bridges and trestles.
"There are funds that have become available for rail transportation. It's being pushed very hard federally and at the state level so, funding is available," Clark said.
"But the money is being directed strategically to high priority projects and the Santa Cruz Branch Rail line is not considered a priority project mainly because there's no freight on the line right now," Preston said.
Roaring Camp believes RTC's proposal is fueled by special interest groups.
They are also troubled that talks about this issue occurred behind closed doors.
In response, the commission has decided to put it on Thursday's agenda to receive public input.
"We wanted to make sure we were being as transparent as possible and that's why we're bringing this to open session for the public to hear and weigh in," Koenig said.
But the train company concerns go well beyond Thursday's informational meeting.
"There's no guarantee that future RTC Commissions will feel the same way and again it leaves us open to being able to protect our business in the long run," Clark said.
The RTC says Roaring Camp offered a long-term license on the RTC branch lie. It would allow Roaring Camp to continue operating recreational Rail Service to the Boardwalk and potential new service to Davenport.
The RTC Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
Ping
It’s always been a family favorite. We have three kids; our son is the youngest. When he was maybe 3 we took the family on the mountain excursion ride and, at the top of the hill, masked “robbers” attacked the train. Our so absolutely freaked out and we had a hard time calming him down and explaining it was all actors. I think it permanently scarred him for life.
Of course, these days, NorCal people would absolutely freak out if the robbers WERE NOT masked.
Your son did go there again, right?
Of course, because if they are wearing masks that means they are planning to shoot you. ;)
I robbed that train once from horseback. Good times.
Yeah, we went back. He’s turning 31 in a couple of weeks and we still laugh about that. He also freaked out at the “earthquake” ride at Universal Studios and the giant Jaws shark there, too. And maybe the huge King Kong gorilla. And the time his older sister “locked me in the jail” at Kelly Park. LOL...so many fun memories!
No doubt it’s the assbite Rails-to-Trails bike Nazis pushing this. Same bastards are trying to kill off the Sacramento Railroad Museum’s excursion line.
Took this train with my family in the ‘70s. So fun.
I love that place!
In the movie “Lost Boys”, they were hanging from one of the trestles.
“One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach,all the damn vampires”
Yep, two favorites from my childhood...”Roaring Camp”/Santa Cruz and the “Skunk Train” at Fort Bragg (NorCal).
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One of the last few good things remaining in the area, and those Cruzio bolsheviks will manage to screw it up, too.
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