Loss of Roaring Camp train would be ‘devastating’

The Roaring Camp Beach train has been an integral part of Santa Cruz for generations. The RTC plan to force Roaring Camp to abandon the rail from Felton to Santa Cruz is an affront to the people of Santa Cruz.

Not only is Roaring Camp local-, family-, and womanowned, it also preserves interesting history. As the mom of three young train enthusiasts, I have learned that Roaring Camp operates the oldest Heisler engine in the United States.

Growing up in Santa Cruz, I have countless cherished memories of listening and watching the Beach Train as I ran on the beach, and now I get to see my three young children experience the same. It has become an annual tradition to ride the Beach Train every summer and the Holiday Lights Train every winter.

A forced abandonment of the rail would be devastating to this type of wonderful family tradition for numerous families.

— Arlene Vázquez, Santa Cruz