Re: New subject fodder - Smithsonian - Jupiter

Hi Steve,
interesting photo of the Jupiter. I really liked the photo date of May of 2005 Kinda like back to the future.
I have always liked the Jupiter. I think it has some thing to do with growing up right next to the Santa Cruz Branch line and knowing about the lines history. The Santa Cruz Branch started life in 1874 as the narrow gauge Santa Cruz Railroad Co. Way back when F.Norman Clark, the founder of Roaring Camp almost got the Jupiter. His plan was to return it to santa Cruz County for service at R.C. This ocourse never happend, He was aced out of it and it eventually went on to the Smithonian . Some day I would like to see it visit "Home" again.
Now back to the future,
This branch line is now being purchased by the Santa Cruz County transportation commission. I am not sure what the county plans call for, but it would not surprise me none if a bike trail is what they turn it into. after all they once said that it was impossable to run a train on tracks. (I was there and I heard this said) besides bikes are the best kind of enviromenally friendly form of transportation, at least to the very vocal and politcally powerful bike riding groups of the area. Political leaders very seldome understand just what a railroad is or how to run one.
I of course would like to see this line more utilized. Perhaps run as a reginal short line with excursion trains, dinner trains, freight trains etc.
Anyone with any vision could also see around the bay train service with Monterey's old Del Monte line and the Santa Cruz branch working in concert.
Phil Reader.