Railtown Tracy

Tracy, California, is a town in San Joaquin County that was, and remains, a railroad junction between two different lines of the Southern Pacific Railroad, which is now part of the Union Pacific. It was originally founded in the 19th century as a stop on the Central Pacific Railroad.

To commemorate how important the railroad industry is to the town, Railtown Tracy is a proposed development in Tracy, CA that has 7 components, according to their web page, in order to honor Tracy's railroad heritage as one of California's rail centers for over a century:

The following information comes from the Railtown Tracy website.

Southern Pacific X4460 at Tracy, CA. 1958

"Creating and growing an active and passionate local railroad historical society interested in developing a railroad-themed historical district with vintage locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars, as well as related facilities for maintenance and administration."

"A downtown museum and visitor center with exhibits tracing the history of railroading in Tracy and the Central Valley."

Tracy, CA Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, 1912.

"A scale model railroad display mirroring rail activity in the area, along with railroad-related activities for kids of all ages, will also be a component of the visitor center."

"Weekend rail excursions from downtown Tracy on the former Southern Pacific right-of-way to Midway (via the Altamont branch) or the “Brewery” and “Holly Sugar” spurs in town — and perhaps along the Mococo line (to Brentwood), the Westside branch (via the California Northern to Los Banos) or the Banta-Lathrop line (via the Union Pacific) — using borrowed or leased power (perhaps from the California Northern, the California State Railroad Museum or other tourist railroads). Click here for a map of potential excursion routes."

Potential Train Routes from Tracy, CA

"An annual downtown Tracy Trainfest, attracting train enthusiasts from throughout the western United States, with vintage railroad equipment on display."

"An annual railroad movie festival at the Grand Theatre Center For The Arts, along with a railroad-themed art and photography competition."

"The potential of attracting railroad-themed businesses to the downtown area, including hobby shops, restaurants, antique stores, and other related enterprises. In addition, the boost in traffic through the Railroad Historical District, particularly on weekends, will increase the number of potential customers for existing restaurants, cafes, stores and shops."

Here's hoping that the project becomes a success in 2021 and beyond! Thanks as always for reading!


Location: Tracy, CA, USA

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