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Just guessing, but he could mean the Lamoille Valley.

A quote from Randy Hees in another thread. I have a simple question I'd like to ask about the Santa Cruz branch being in trouble- is that the same Santa Cruz, Big Tress & Pacific Railroad tourist operation out of Roaring Camp? If so, then why is it in trouble? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.[/quote]No. Union Pacific's Santa Cruz branch runs from Watsonville to Davenport where a large active cement plants exists. The Big Trees and Pacific interchanges with the Union Pacific in Santa Cruz. The existing Big Trees line is not in danger. In a nutshell, UP is negotiating with Santa Cruz county toward the sale of the branch line using state funding available from a bond issue. Various local interest groups are fighting over the best use of the line with NIMBY's, Trail Users, Commuters, business owners (seeing tourists $$) etc. The Big Trees has an interest as a potential concessionaire of any future passenger service over the line. Because of the active cement plant at the outer end of the branch, it is doubtful that the rail line will be entirely abandoned.

It was particularly painful in VT, because a legitimate, thought-out proposal was offered to the state to operate the line for shortline freight and excursion passenger service. The trail folks would still have got quite a bit, just not 100%.Having been at the WMSR informational hearing, the guy in Cumberland that is renting bikes WANTS the railroad to stay; he sees a market in renting bikes and having the train operate as a 'ski lift' to ferry equipment uphill to Frostburg. It's sad that this is turning into such a pitched battle in several areas. At the bottom is an unknown liability issue (aka little to no experience) and the liability exposure is to the railroad - not the trail - for coexistence.

I don't think patronage on the Big Trees & Pacific is a problem. It's almost a mobile billboard for itself, running down the streets of Santa Cruz (one of the now relatively rare places where "street running" occurs). A great experience, and amazing to imagine what this was like 66+ years ago. In fact, I believe I heard the Big Trees & Pacific brought in a greater profit to Roaring Camp Inc. last year than the steam runs up Bear Mountain!