Switching what had become the CEMEX plant in Davenport, CA

Arriving at the small yard at the CEMEX plant.

On a beautiful afternoon on the California coast, SP's Davenport Local switches the yard at its namesake town. In the background stands Davenport Cement, which used coal off the Rio Grande to help... (more)

Before delivering its coal loads to Davenport Cement, SP's Davenport Local cut off two of its four GP9s. Note the disrepair of the rail in the yard. The photographer remembers passing through this... (more)

The Davenport Local descends the light rail of the branch into its namesake town with a string of Rio Grande hoppers in tow.

On the way to the cement plant.

The Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line – where the beach reaches the rails. Keeping Mother Nature at bay is a full time job for the crews of the Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay Railway.

Through the costal bluffs, not around them! In their new role, these former Rio Grande look a bit out of place, but are still a welcome sight with that classic paint scheme. The hoppers behind the... (more)

#1351, crossing Highway 1, with the former RMC/Lonestar, now Cemex, plant in the background on its way home. This cement plant is the only reason the branch remains in operation.

#1351, patched but with no graffiti is entering the Cemex plant to pull the coal emptys. Also, the locomotive still wears the old ACI colored bar code strips

Reaching the end of the former SP branch along the Coast from Santa Cruz to Davenport, the Santa Cruz local is passing the main store in the town and the campers of whale watchers.

SP 3392 is leading three other GP9's on the Santa Cruz local as they leave Davenport. The large structure in the distance is part of the RMC/Lonestar cement plant. On the ground next to the track... (more)

UP's Santa Cruz Local heads along the Pacific Ocean, heading back towards Watsonville Jct after switching the Cemex cement plant at Davenport.

UP's Santa Cruz Local heads along the Pacific Ocean, heading back towards Watsonville Jct after switching the Cemex cement plant at Davenport.

Now cut away from their train of inbound cars, the Santa Cruz Local will begin switching out the cement plant at Davenport. UP 1372 is former DRGW 3127.