Railroading in the streets of Santa Cruz, California

[markpierce]

Yesternday, took a trip to Santa Cruz, CA. One of the hightlights was observing the cement train to Davenport through the streets of Santa Cruz. The train consisted of an UP diesel in lead, followed by a couple of SP diesels, then a good number of open hopper cars, trailed by many covered hoppers. Observing the cars' springs, I deduced the open hoppers were full while the covered hoppers were empty. Obviously, the covered hoppers were to carry the cement from Davenport where there is a cement plant adjacent to limestone deposits. I am guessing the hopper cars contained sand for the making of cement. That was the highlight of my trip. At the time, the train was going westward, opposite the one-way auto traffic on the street. What a wonder! And the train passed only feet from the various roller coasters on the beach! What a wonderful prototype!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by markpierce

Yesternday, took a trip to Santa Cruz, CA. One of the hightlights was observing the cement train to Davenport through the streets of Santa Cruz. The train consisted of an UP diesel in lead, followed by a couple of SP diesels, then a good number of open hopper cars, trailed by many covered hoppers. Observing the cars' springs, I deduced the open hoppers were full while the covered hoppers were empty. Obviously, the covered hoppers were to carry the cement from Davenport where there is a cement plant adjacent to limestone deposits. I am guessing the hopper cars contained sand for the making of cement. That was the highlight of my trip. At the time, the train was going westward, opposite the one-way auto traffic on the street. What a wonder! And the train passed only feet from the various roller coasters on the beach! What a wonderful prototype!

That certainly sounds like a gem. I've done the tourist operation from Felton down to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, but never had the pleasure of chasing the Davenport job. Hopefully, sometime in the future I'll get the opportunity.

I could be wrong, but I think the inbound open top hoppers that you saw were loaded with coal. The coal is used to bake the lime in the kiln.

Did you get any photos?

Jim - Lawton, NV - MP236

[ericsp]

According to the article about the Santa Cruz Branch in the August 2003 Mainline Modeler coal does go to the plant by rail. Were the open top hoppers 3 or 4 bay? Were the SP locomotives unpatched? If so what are their numbers?

[spbed]

I saw 204 in Ogden last week going EB[:o)][:D]

Originally posted by ericsp

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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