The Folsom City Council has approved a new seven-year agreement with the Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad (PSVRR), solidifying the continuation of historic train rides through the city. The approval, made during Tuesday’s meeting, extends the PSVRR’s ability to operate excursion trains along a designated portion of the historic Placerville Branch rail corridor.
The agreement, finalized by the Sacramento-Placerville Transportation Corridor Joint Powers Authority (SPTC-JPA) and approved by its member agencies, allows the PSVRR to conduct rail operations between Iron Point Road in Folsom (milepost 116) and the El Dorado County line (milepost 119.4). This partnership ensures the preservation of a key piece of California’s rail history while providing unique recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
The SPTC-JPA, established in 1991 by Sacramento County, El Dorado County, Sacramento Regional Transit, and the City of Folsom, acquired 53 miles of the Placerville Branch from Southern Pacific Railroad in 1996. The corridor stretches from Sacramento to Placerville, passing through Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, and surrounding counties.
Public interest in excursion train services emerged during 2007 workshops in Placerville and Folsom, prompting the SPTC-JPA to issue a Request for Proposals in 2008. Following feasibility studies and negotiations, a five-year license agreement with PSVRR was finalized in 2013. Since then, the volunteer-run organization has successfully operated excursion rail services, hosting popular events such as holiday train rides and the annual handcar derby.
The recently approved agreement maintains much of the framework from prior licenses but introduces critical updates. One significant addition grants the SPTC-JPA authority to suspend operations immediately if they are conducted in an unsafe manner. Another provision allows for partial termination of the license in areas affected by the White Rock Road realignment project, ensuring infrastructure needs are met. Additionally, all defects identified in federal and state inspection reports must be corrected before operations can resume, reinforcing the commitment to safety and effective corridor management.
While the agreement focuses on the Folsom segment, the PSVRR is restricted from regular operations in El Dorado County, except for special events. This limitation stems from ongoing disagreements between the JPA and El Dorado County officials. Nevertheless, the railroad has occasionally conducted trips to Latrobe under specific permits. Folsom has also issued permits for special events such as holiday train rides between East Bidwell Street and Oak Avenue Parkway and other segments without street crossings. These activities comply with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) rules, avoiding the need for at-grade crossing warning devices.
The renewed agreement does not impose any financial burden on Folsom’s budget. Funding for operations, including capital and maintenance costs, will be fully covered by the PSVRR, as stipulated in the contract. The agreement also reserves the JPA’s right to authorize other uses within the corridor, provided they do not interfere with excursion rail operations. Per city policy, the Folsom City Council is the sole authority to ratify agreements on behalf of the city. The new agreement has already been approved by the SPTC-JPA Board and awaits final ratification by Sacramento Regional Transit, Sacramento County, and El Dorado County.
With the council’s approval, the PSVRR is set to continue its operations, preserving a vital piece of California’s rail heritage and offering unique recreational experiences.