Rail Corridor


	Status of the CCTC Rail Corridor

	The Central California Traction Company (CCT) was established in 1905 and is presently owned by Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe. The CCT railway initially operated as a streetcar system for the City of Stockton and grew to serve passengers and freight between Stockton and Sacramento. Visit the History page for more information. The CCT rail corridor is still active between Stockton and Lodi, but the line from Lodi to Sacramento has not been in service since 1998. The primary owner of the corridor, Union Pacific Railroad, is presently considering if the CCT corridor has an operational value to the company. CVRTF, and their partner Trust for Public Land, stand ready to facilitate the purchase of the property when the railroad companies decide that the sale of the corridor will be in their best interest. In the meantime, the CCT corridor is being used to warehouse unused rail cars. From the Power Inn industrial area through the Vineyard community, and throughout the Lodi wine region, hundreds of rail cars are parked indefinitely, causing concerns for adjacent businesses, schools and residents. A CCT spokesman recently stated they will park trains in the Wilton, Elk Grove and Herald communities in the future, resulting in a 23-mile line of surplus rail cars. Adjacent property owners always knew it was possible that trains would run along the CCT corridor - however, a 23 mile long rail yard is entirely different.



		(Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)


	A New Look for the CCT Corridor As recently reported in the Lodi News Sentinel, Union Pacific is sending in large equipment to grind down trees along the CCT rail corridor, making room for more rail car storage and scattering debris in nearby sloughs and creeks.



		Debris left behind by CCT workers.


	Read More... Lodi News Sentinel - Feb. 11, 2009 Lodi News Sentinel - March 6, 2009 KCRA TV - March 18, 2009 River Valley Times - April 1, 2009 River Valley Times - April 18, 2009 River Valley Times - May 12, 2009


	CCT Neighbors Meet with Railroad Representatives On May 12, approximately 100 property owners met in Wilton with representatives of Union Pacific and the CCT Railroad. Following is a summary of the answers provided:


	The High Speed Rail Authority has also put the CCT corridor on their short list for a possible Sacramento to Stockton line. On November 10, 2004, High Speed Rail Authority staff recommended the Central California Traction Company Rail Corridor not be used for high speed rail service between Sacramento and Stockton. They cited several reasons for selecting the alternative UP corridor, including referring to “substantial community opposition to placing the HST (High Speed Train) system on the CCT alignment”. In the October 2005 final report to the Board, (page 32) staff left the CCT option open calling for “further evaluation” should their first option have too many environmental impact issues. In the Federal Railroad Administration’s Record of Decision (ROD) regarding proposed High Speed Train routes, they list the UP and the CCT as potential alignments between Sacramento and Stockton. CVRTF will continue to monitor their plans to finalize the route through the Central Valley.

	CCT workers “trimmed” the trees along the corridor to make way for the rail cars.


		Q: Will the railroad company use the corridor as a storage area for months or years? A: They will continue to store over 66,000 cars across the US, including in San Joaquin and Sacramento Counties, until the economy recovers. Q: Will all of the trees and vegetation along the corridor be removed? A: They have an obligation to remove anything in their line of site on the 100 foot-wide corridor. They will give property owners an opportunity to trim their own trees or bushes that are hanging over the corridor before they come through with the grinding equipment. Q: What kind of herbicide is being sprayed along the corridor? A: They did not want to get that specific... Q: What is the environmental impact of storing old rail cars for the long-term? A: They were not aware of any adverse impacts and rely on the guidance of federal regulators such as the Federal Railroad Administration. Q: Who will the first responder be for adjacent property owners who witness tagging, vagrants or other crimes? A: Call 911, and 800.892.1283 (Emergency Response number in Omaha). The local contact is Dave Buccolo whose e-mail address is: dbuccolo@cctrailroad.com Q: Is the railroad company liable for crimes or injuries as a result of parking cars in residential neighborhoods, near schools and businesses? A: Not answered. Q: How much will it cost property owners for easements to access their land? A: Not answered. A coalition of property owners has formed to share information and explore their options. They can be reached at: CCTNeighbors@gmail.com

	Let Your Elected Officials Know If You Have Been Impacted by the New Rail Yard along the Central CA Traction Rail Corridor (Click Here for Contact Information)


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