The Carrizo Gorge Railway (AAR reporting mark CZRY) was created in 2001 to
provide passenger and freight service along the San Diego and Arizona
Eastern Railway line between Tijuana, Mexico and Plaster City, California.
The other freight operator on the SD&AE, the SD&IV, did not want
to invest the $5.5 million dollars necessary to repair the collapsed
tunnels and bridges in the Carrizo Gorge.
The owners of CZRY, however, believed that the investment would be
worthwhile and negotiated trackage rights on the line. The agreement
required a fee of 6.9% of the gross revenues from any freight on the
SD&AE's Desert Line to Plaster City and $200 per car on any car that
would have been brought by the SD&IV to the Coast Line.
Sand hauling is the primary business for the CZRY. The sand is used in
making ready-mixed concrete for the construction markets in San Diego
County. There is also minor traffic of other goods between the U.S. and
Mexico. Rail car storage is another revenue source.
The owners of CZRY, however, believed that the investment would be
worthwhile and negotiated trackage rights on the line. The agreement
required a fee of 6.9% of the gross revenues from any freight on the
SD&AE's Desert Line to Plaster City and $200 per car on any car that
would have been brought by the SD&IV to the Coast Line.
Sand hauling is the primary business for the CZRY. The sand is used in
making ready-mixed concrete for the construction markets in San Diego
County. There is also minor traffic of other goods between the U.S. and
Mexico. Rail car storage is another revenue source.