New operator brings experience, equipment and a commitment to freight rail service in Watsonville

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is pleased to welcome Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, LLC (CRI&P) as the new freight rail operator for the Watsonville Branch Line, marking a new chapter for freight rail service in the region. CRI&P began freight operations on Aug. 12.

The RTC approved a 10-year Administration, Coordination and License Agreement with CRI&P to provide common carrier freight service on the approximately 2.5-mile active portion of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line between Pajaro/Watsonville Junction and Lee Road in the City of Watsonville.

“Freight rail continues to play an important role in our transportation system and in supporting local businesses and interstate commerce,” said RTC Chair Eduardo Montesino. “We want to welcome Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad to Santa Cruz County and look forward to building a strong partnership focused on reliable service, infrastructure improvements and opportunities to expand freight rail in Watsonville.”

Headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, CRI&P is a privately owned railroad with operations across the U.S. The company specializes in short-line railroads and has experience improving rail infrastructure to support safe, reliable and expanded freight operations.

CRI&P will bring locomotives, switch engines, crews and track maintenance equipment to the Watsonville Branch Line as it assumes operations. The company also maintains a substantial inventory of rail and track materials, including rail, ballast, ties and other components that can be used for track rehabilitation. This equipment and materials capacity is particularly valuable on the Watsonville Branch Line, where infrastructure improvements are needed to support continued and potentially expanded freight service.

“We are excited to partner with the RTC and the Watsonville community,” said CRI&P General Manager Reid Dawe. “Our goal is to provide dependable freight service while working collaboratively to identify opportunities to improve the railroad and support the businesses that rely on it.”

CRI&P has operated railroads including the Mississippi Delta Railroad, Great River Railroad, Gulf & Ship Island Seaway Rail and Midland Railway, with a focus on growing customer bases, increasing rail carloads and supporting economic activity in the communities its railroads serve.

As part of the new agreement, CRI&P will also work with the RTC to pursue opportunities for rail infrastructure funding, including federal grant programs that could support improvements to the Watsonville Branch Line.

“Maintaining freight rail service is an important part of protecting the public’s investment in our rail corridor and supporting multimodal transportation options for Santa Cruz County,” Christensen said. “We are looking forward to working with CRI&P to provide reliable service today while exploring opportunities to strengthen freight rail for the future.”

The RTC purchased the 32-mile Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line in 2012 to support multimodal transportation options in Santa Cruz County, including freight rail, future passenger rail and a multi-use trail. The RTC is committed to maintaining freight service in Watsonville while advancing long-term transportation investments throughout the corridor.