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Coordinates: 37°56′45″N 121°19′21″W / 37.9459°N 121.3224°W / 37.9459; -121.3224
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The Central California Traction Company was founded on August&nbsp;7, 1905,<ref name=Lewis67 /> as an alternative city [[streetcar line]] to the Stockton Electric Railroad. Streetcar service began in 1906.{{sfn|Van Ommeren|2004|p=54}} The company soon had greater ambitions and became an electric [[interurban]] railway,<ref name="hwd">{{harvnb|Demoro|1986|p=202}}</ref> opening a line from [[Stockton, California|Stockton]] to [[Lodi, California|Lodi]] starting on September&nbsp;2, 1907. The original line into Lodi ran down Lodi Avenue, turning north on Sacramento Street and reaching as far north as Turner Road.{{sfn|Lea|Roth|2004|p=443}} In 1908, current on the [[third rail]] system was raised from 550 volts to 1,200 volts.{{sfn|Lea|Roth|2004|p=445}} The extension to [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] began service on September&nbsp;1, 1910.<ref name=Robertson />
The Central California Traction Company was founded on August&nbsp;7, 1905,<ref name=Lewis67 /> as an alternative city [[streetcar line]] to the Stockton Electric Railroad. Streetcar service began in 1906.{{sfn|Van Ommeren|2004|p=54}} The company soon had greater ambitions and became an electric [[interurban]] railway,<ref name="hwd">{{harvnb|Demoro|1986|p=202}}</ref> opening a line from [[Stockton, California|Stockton]] to [[Lodi, California|Lodi]] starting on September&nbsp;2, 1907. The original line into Lodi ran down Lodi Avenue, turning north on Sacramento Street and reaching as far north as Turner Road.{{sfn|Lea|Roth|2004|p=443}} In 1908, current on the [[third rail]] system was raised from 550 volts to 1,200 volts.{{sfn|Lea|Roth|2004|p=445}} The extension to [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] began service on September&nbsp;1, 1910.<ref name=Robertson />


In 1928, the railroad was sold by the original owners and was then jointly purchased by the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad]], the [[Southern Pacific Railroad]] and the [[Western Pacific Railroad]].<ref>{{harvnb|Hilton|Due|2000|p=207}}</ref><ref name=Lewis67>{{harvnb|Lewis|1996|p=67}}</ref> The Stockton streetcar operations were taken over by [[Stockton Electric Railway]] (by then an SP Subsidiary) in 1929.<ref>{{harvnb|Fickewirth|1992|p=148}}</ref> Interurban service ceased on February&nbsp;4, 1933,<ref name=Robertson>{{harvnb|Robertson|1998|pp=99–100}}</ref> but local streetcars continued to run in Sacramento until the service was acquired by [[National City Lines]] in 1943.<ref name="Burg">{{harvnb|Burg|2006|p=89}}</ref> Electric service ended on December&nbsp;22, 1946.<ref name=Robertson />
In 1928, the railroad was sold by the original owners and was then jointly purchased by the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad]], the [[Southern Pacific Railroad]] and the [[Western Pacific Railroad]].{{sfn|Hilton|Due|2000|p=207}}<ref name=Lewis67>{{harvnb|Lewis|1996|p=67}}</ref> The Stockton streetcar operations were taken over by [[Stockton Electric Railway]] (by then an SP Subsidiary) in 1929.<ref>{{harvnb|Fickewirth|1992|p=148}}</ref> Interurban service ceased on February&nbsp;4, 1933,<ref>{{cite news |title=California Traction Ends Passenger Rail Service |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-california-traction-e/148012846/ |access-date=24 May 2024 |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 4, 1933 |location=Sacramento, California |page=3}}</ref><ref name=Robertson>{{harvnb|Robertson|1998|pp=99–100}}</ref> but local streetcars continued to run in Sacramento until the service was acquired by [[National City Lines]] in 1943.<ref name="Burg">{{harvnb|Burg|2006|p=89}}</ref> Electric service ended on December&nbsp;22, 1946.<ref name=Robertson />


[[File:Central California Traction Company Mokelumne River bridge postcard.jpg|thumb|left|Interurban passenger cars pass over the [[Mokelumne River]] {{circa|1915–1930}}]]
[[File:Central California Traction Company Mokelumne River bridge postcard.jpg|thumb|left|Interurban passenger cars pass over the [[Mokelumne River]] {{circa|1915–1930}}]]


The railroad operated over the same line from Lodi and Stockton to Sacramento until 1966 when the Sacramento belt line was closed, then trains were run over Southern Pacific's line into Sacramento. Tracks into Sacramento's city center were removed that year.<ref>{{harvnb|Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center|2008|p=84}}</ref> In 1998, service to Sacramento was suspended.<ref name="Burg" /> Since then the tracks remain between Stockton and Sacramento, being kept for future operational options.{{cn|date=September 2023}}
The railroad operated over the same line from Lodi and Stockton to Sacramento until 1966 when the Sacramento belt line was closed, then trains were run over Southern Pacific's line into Sacramento. Tracks into Sacramento's city center were removed that year.{{sfn|Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center|2008|p=84}} In 1998, service to Sacramento was suspended.<ref name="Burg" /> Since then the tracks remain between Stockton and Sacramento, being kept for future operational options.{{cn|date=September 2023}}


One of the Central California Traction Company train stations survives in [[Acampo, California|Acampo]], just north of Lodi. This station was converted into a residence, with altered interior walls and an expansion.{{cn|date=September 2023}}
One of the Central California Traction Company train stations survives in [[Acampo, California|Acampo]], just north of Lodi. This station was converted into a residence, with altered interior walls and an expansion.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

Revision as of 23:28, 24 May 2024

Central California Traction Company
Central California Traction's ex Alameda Belt/ATSF GP7 #44 entering the yard in Lodi
Overview
Parent companyUnion Pacific
BNSF Railway
HeadquartersStockton, California
Reporting markCCT
LocaleSan Joaquin Valley, California
Dates of operation1905 (1905)–
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationThird rail, 1,200 V DC (countryside)
Overhead line, 600 V DC (within city limits)[1]
none since 1946
Length52.1 miles (83.8 km)[2]
Other
Websitewww.cctrailroad.com
Route map

Legend
Up arrow abandoned 1966
Eighth and X Streets
Sacramento Union
Traction Terminal
Sacramento Northern Railroad
WP Feather River Route
Alhambra Boulevard
 Thirty-first and X Streets
Car Barn
 State Fairgrounds
Colonial Heights
Colonial Acres
Up arrow abandoned 1966
UP Fresno Subdivision
Procter & Gamble
Polk
Florin Road
Kosova
Coffing
Sheldon
Cosumnes River
 Wilton
Dillard
Walmort
Valensin
Centralia
Herald
UP Ione Lead
 Terry
Kenefick
Peltier
Youngstown
Woodlake
Mokelumne River
SP Kentucky House Branch
 Lodi
Lodi Junction
UP Fresno Subdivision
 Kettleman
Ampere
Norton
Blacklands
Ashley
Foppiano
A&K
 Cherokee
Car Barn
Vine Street branch
STE
SP Fresno Subdivision
STE
Pilgrim Street branch
 Aurora Street
Stockton
BNSF Stockton Subdivision
Mineral Baths

The Central California Traction Company (reporting mark CCT) is a Class III short-line railroad operating in the northern San Joaquin Valley, in San Joaquin County, California. It is owned jointly by the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway.

Service

The railroad operates between Stockton and Lodi. CCT also operates the Stockton Public Belt Railway around the Port of Stockton.

It connects to the Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad company freight lines that serve greater Stockton. Several miles of the CCT track through Acampo are being used to store rolling stock, primarily Centerbeam flatcars that carry lumber, as of 2009.

History

The Central California Traction Company was founded on August 7, 1905,[2] as an alternative city streetcar line to the Stockton Electric Railroad. Streetcar service began in 1906.[3] The company soon had greater ambitions and became an electric interurban railway,[4] opening a line from Stockton to Lodi starting on September 2, 1907. The original line into Lodi ran down Lodi Avenue, turning north on Sacramento Street and reaching as far north as Turner Road.[5] In 1908, current on the third rail system was raised from 550 volts to 1,200 volts.[6] The extension to Sacramento began service on September 1, 1910.[1]

In 1928, the railroad was sold by the original owners and was then jointly purchased by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Western Pacific Railroad.[7][2] The Stockton streetcar operations were taken over by Stockton Electric Railway (by then an SP Subsidiary) in 1929.[8] Interurban service ceased on February 4, 1933,[9][1] but local streetcars continued to run in Sacramento until the service was acquired by National City Lines in 1943.[10] Electric service ended on December 22, 1946.[1]

Interurban passenger cars pass over the Mokelumne River c. 1915–1930

The railroad operated over the same line from Lodi and Stockton to Sacramento until 1966 when the Sacramento belt line was closed, then trains were run over Southern Pacific's line into Sacramento. Tracks into Sacramento's city center were removed that year.[11] In 1998, service to Sacramento was suspended.[10] Since then the tracks remain between Stockton and Sacramento, being kept for future operational options.[citation needed]

One of the Central California Traction Company train stations survives in Acampo, just north of Lodi. This station was converted into a residence, with altered interior walls and an expansion.[citation needed]

Locomotive roster

CCT locomotive model BL21CG, built by Brookville Industries
Model Road no.
GE 44-ton switcher 25
26
GE 70-ton switcher 30
31
32
ALCO S1 40
41
42
ALCO S2 45
EMD GP7u 44
ALCO S4 50
EMD GP7 70
90
700
ALCO RS-1 80
Brookville BL12CG 1201 & 1202
EMD SW1500 1222
1501
1502
1503
1504
NRE 3GS21B BNSF 1243, 1247 & 1270
Brookville BL20CG 2101
EMD GP18 1790
1795

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Robertson 1998, pp. 99–100
  2. ^ a b c Lewis 1996, p. 67
  3. ^ Van Ommeren 2004, p. 54.
  4. ^ Demoro 1986, p. 202
  5. ^ Lea & Roth 2004, p. 443.
  6. ^ Lea & Roth 2004, p. 445.
  7. ^ Hilton & Due 2000, p. 207.
  8. ^ Fickewirth 1992, p. 148
  9. ^ "California Traction Ends Passenger Rail Service". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. February 4, 1933. p. 3. Retrieved 24 May 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b Burg 2006, p. 89
  11. ^ Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center 2008, p. 84.

Bibliography

  • Burg, William (2006). Sacramento's Streetcars. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738531472.
  • Demoro, Harre W. (1986). California's Electric Railways. Glendale, California: Interurban Press. ISBN 0-916374-74-2.
  • Fickewirth, Alvin A. (1992). California railroads: an encyclopedia of cable car, common carrier, horsecar, industrial, interurban, logging, monorail, motor road, shortlines, streetcar, switching and terminal railroads in California (1851-1992). San Marino, CA.: Golden West Books. ISBN 0-87095-106-8.
  • Hilton, George W.; Due, John F. (2000) [1960]. The Electric Interurban Railways in America. Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-4014-3.
  • Lea, Ralph; Roth, Janice (Spring 2004). "The Central California Traction Company". Lodi Historian. 15 (2). Lodi Historical Society. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  • Lewis, Edward A. (1996). American Shortline Railway Guide - 5th Ed. Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 0-89024-290-9.
  • Middleton, Wm. D. (2000) [1964]. The Interurban Era. Kalmbach Publishing Co. Milwaukee, WI. ISBN 978-0-89024-003-8.
  • Robertson, Donald B. (1998). Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History - Volume IV - California. Caldwell, ID: The Caxton Printers. ISBN 0-87004-385-4.
  • Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center (2008). Sacramento's Elmhurst, Tahoe Park and Colonial Heights. Arcadia Publishing. p. 84. ISBN 9780738555904.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Stanley, David G.; Moreau, Jeffrey J. (2002). The Central California Traction Company. Lompoc, CA: Western Star Distributors. ISBN 1-930013-06-X.
  • Van Ommeren, Alice (2004). Stockton in Vintage Postcards. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738528786.
  • Walker, Mike (1997). Steam Powered Video's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - California and Nevada - Post Merger Ed. Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom: Steam Powered Publishing. ISBN 1-874745-08-0.
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