California Surveyors Forums

How do I track down the vesting deed for a railroad parcel?

In Sonoma County, I have a reference on a APN map that says: S.B.E 853-49-23E Par. 25
What does this mean?

Please advise.
Cheers,
Clark

I don't have the answer to your question, but here is some info I have on tracking down RR records. Another good source may be the Northwestern Pacific RR Historical Society (Santa Rosa?) at http://www.nwprrhs.org/. They have a lot of the old RR maps. I'm also pretty sure that SMART has many of the VAL maps through their Marin and Sonoma Corridors, and may have the full collection. Many of these maps show the document info on the property acquisition, etc. similar to a Caltrans RW map.

Once you find out what the S.B.E. reference is, could you post here?

Also, not knowing what your project is, right of entry may not apply to railroads if you are going out to the field. Check out 49CFR214, CA Penal Code 369i(a), and CA Penal Code 554. Maybe someone else can chime in, but I believe CFR trumps CAPC anyhow?? Check also with your insurance, not sure they cover field work on (live) rail.

Hope this helps!

Tracy

S.B.E. refers to the State Board of Equalization and their maps can sometime be the only place you can actually get railroad right of way information.

Here is some contact information from an old file (not sure if it is current):


State Board of Equalization -- State-Assessed Properties Division

Brandi Blasi-Hebbard (916) 324-2747
Brandi.Hebbard@boe.ca.gov

Colin Parich (916) 324-2794
Colin.Parich@boe.ca.gov

Joshua Lambert
Joshua.Lambert@boe.ca.gov

Property Taxes Department Evaluation Division
POB 942879
Sacramento, California 94279-0001

General Number (916) 322-2528
Murl Poynter (916) 324-2787
Supervising Appraiser Adrian Harris 916 323-0414