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The Real Santa Cruz Lumber Co. - con'd
By 1942, the line had been extended to between four and five miles in length. It consisted of a mainline only, and no branch was ever constructed, nor was a connection to another common carrier ever made. Very few spurs existed, with the maximum number reported to be three. The line's maximum length by 1950, the year of it's closing, was between seven and eight miles. Trucks were later used to haul logs to a reload at rail's end. By 1945, the entrance road had been extended to the mill grounds, giving trucks direct access to the mill.
In addition to the Shay, the company used a White truck converted with flanged wheels to rail operations. The truck was later rebuilt with an enclosed body to transport loggers to and from the woods.
Converted White truck railbus.
Richard C. Brown photo January 7, 1950
Caterpillar tractors were first used in logging operations in 1935. By 1950, logging had reached the summit, and trucks won out over the cost of extending the railroad up and over. The last train ran in early 1950, after which the rails were torn up and the roadbed converted to a truck road. Old No. 2, still in first class condition, and the cars were stored until 1954, when Ed Paulsen had the unpleasant task of cutting them up for scrap, which the company sold to a Niles steel company. Only the whistle, bell, and builders plate were saved.
No. 2 taking on water about
mid-point on the line.
Bill Dessert photo August 1943