Railroad Right-of-Way Conveyance Validation Act of 1985
PL 99-543 (H.R.2067), enacted 10/27/1986

100 STAT. 3040 
PUBLIC LAW 99-543—OCT. 27, 1986 
Oct. 27, 1986 
[H.R. 2067] 
Railroad Right-
of-Way 
Conveyance 
Validation Act of 
1985. 
Railroads. 
Individuals. 
Public Law 99-543 
99th Congress 
?ri 
An Act 
To validate conveyances of certain lands in the State of California that form part of 
the right-of-way granted by the United States to the Central Pacific Railway 
Company. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the 
Vahdation Act of 1985". 
'Railroad Right-of-Way Conveyance 
SEC. 2. VALIDATION OF CONVEYANCES. 
Except as provided in section 7, the conveyances described in 
section 3 (involving certain lands in San Joaquin County, State of 
California), section 4 (involving certain lands in Sacramento County, 
State of California), section 5 (involving certain land in Kings 
County, State of California), and section 6 (involving certain lands in 
Nevada County, State of California) concerning lands that form 
parts of the right-of-way granted by the United States to the Central 
Pacific Railway Company in the Act entitled "An Act to aid in the 
Construction of a Railroad and Telegraph Line from the Missouri 
River to the Pacific Ocean, and to secure to the Government the Use 
of the same for Postal, Military, and Other Purposes", approved 
July 1, 1862 (12 Stat. 489), hereby are legalized, validated, and 
confirmed, as far as any interest of the United States in such lands 
is concerned, with the same force and effect as if the land involved 
in each such conveyance had been held, on the date of such convey-
ance, under absolute fee simple title by the grantor of such land. 
SEC. 3. CONVEYANCES OF LANDS IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, STATE OF 
CALIFORNIA. 
The conveyances of lands in San Joaquin County, State of Califor-
nia, referred to in section 2 are as follows: 
(1) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Harvey Davies and 
Mary E. Davies, grantees, on January 13, 1981, and recorded as 
instrument numbered 81()13684 on March 6,1981, in the official 
records of San Joaquin County, State of California; 
(2) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Gloria Martinez, Tina 
Marie Aldaco, and Yolanda Martinez, grantees, on January 13, 
1981, and recorded as instrument numbered 81013685 on 
March 6, 1981, in the official records of San Joaquin County, 
State of California; 
(3) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Gregorio Estrada Blanco 
and Antonio Miranda Blanco, grantees, on January 13, 1981, 
and recorded as instrument numbered 81013686 on March 6, 
•F 
PUBLIC LAW 99-543—OCT. 27, 1986 
100 STAT. 3041 
1981, in the official records of San Joaquin County, State of 
California; 
(4) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Iris Fong, grantee, on 
January 13, 1981, and recorded as instrument numbered 
81013687 on March 6, 1981, in the official records of San Joa-
quin County, State of California; 
(5) the conveyance entered into between the Central Pacific 
Railway Company and the Southern Pacific Company, grantors, 
and Margaret Gieseke, grantee, on October 31, 1939, and 
recorded on February 13, 1940, in volume 669, page 473, of the 
book of official records of San Joaquin County, State of 
California; 
(6) the conveyance entered into between the Central Pacific 
Railway Company and the Southern Pacific Company, grantors, 
and Henry Meiburg and Erna Meiburg, grantees, on October 31, 
1939, and recorded on February 13, 1940, in volume 669, page 
476, of the book of official records of San Joaquin County, State 
of California; 
(7) the conveyance entered into between the Central Pacific 
Railway Company and the Southern Pacific Company, grantors, 
and Frank Ward, grantee, on October 31,1939, and recorded on 
February 13, 1940, in volume 669, page 474, of the book of 
official records of San Joaquin County, State of California; 
(8) the conveyance entered into between the Central Pacific 
Railway Company and the Southern Pacific Company, grantors, 
and Frank Penny, grantee, on October 31,1939, and recorded on 
February 13, 1940, in volume 676, page 275, of the book of 
official records of Ssm Joaquin County, State of California; 
(9) the conveyance entered into between the Central Pacific 
Railway Company and the Southern Pacific Company, grantors, 
and John B. Coughlan, grantee, on October 31, 1939, and 
recorded on February 13, 1940, in volume 676, page 277, of the 
book of official records of San Joaquin County, State of 
California; 
(10) the conveyance entered into between the Central Pacific 
Railway Company and the Southern Pacific Company, grantors, 
and the Fabian-Grunauer Company, grantee, on January 7, 
1930, and recorded on February 7,1930, in volume 1, page 86, of 
the book of official records of San Joaquin County, State of 
California; 
(11) the conveyance entered into between the Central Pacific 
Railway Company and the Southern Pacific Company, grantors, 
and Libby McNeill and Libby, grantee, on October 31,1928, and 
recorded on November 30, 1928, in volume 255, page 383, of 
the book of official records of San Joaquin County, State of 
California; 
(12) the conveyance entered into between the Central Pacific 
Railway (I!ompany and the Southern Pacific Company, grantors, 
and A. J. Hussell, grantee, on January 7, 1930, and recorded on 
February 13, 1930, in volume 314, page 138, of the book of 
official records of San Joaquin County, State of California; 
(13) the conveyance entered into between Charles Crocker, 
grantor, and Frank Curran, grantee, on January 8, 1880, and 
recorded on January 31,1883, in book A, volume 49, page 600, of 
the deeds of San Joaquin County, State of California; 
100 STAT. 3042 
PUBLIC LAW 99-543—OCT. 27, 1986 
(14) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and Edward Curran, grantee, on 
May 24,1901, and recorded on June 26,1901, in book A, volume 
116, page 118, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State of 
California, excluding that portion of such conveyance concern-
ing lots 14 and 15 in block 15 as designated on the map entitled 
"Map of the Town of Tracy San Joaquin California", filed at the 
request of the Southern Pacific Railroad on June 29, 1892, in 
volume 2, page 63, of the maps and plats of San Joaquin County, 
State of California; 
(15) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and Sarah Idelia Duffy, grantee, on 
December 9, 1891, and recorded on December 31, 1891, in book 
^ . A, volume 75, page 59, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State 
, 
of California; 
(16) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and C. A. Slack, grantee, on May 29, 
1909, and recorded on November 10, 1909, in book A, volume 
182, page 304, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State of 
• California; 
.
^ 
(17) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and Frank Brusso, grantee, on 
August 23, 1911, and recorded on October 11, 1911, in book A, 
volume 205, page 448, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State 
of California; 
(18) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and Lee Chong, grantee, on Sep-
tember 30, 1911, and recorded on October 23, 1911, in book A, 
volume 205, page 471, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State 
of California; 
(19) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
t 
ment Company, grantor, and Lee Jung, grantee, on Sep-
tember 30, 1911, and recorded on October 23, 1911, in book A, 
volume 205, page 470, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State 
of California; 
(20) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
- ^ ment Company, grantor, and Ju Wing, grantee, on January 25, 
' 1911, and recorded on February 14,1911, in book A, volume 201, 
page 105, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State of 
California; 
(21) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and A. Grunauer, grantee, on June 8, 
* 1910, and recorded on June 17, 1910, in book A, volume 187, 
page 520, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State of Califor-
'-i- nia, excluding that portion of such conveyance concerning lots 
12 and 13 in block 36 as designated on the map entitled "Map of 
so the Town of Tracy San Joaquin California", filed at the request 
of the Southern Pacific Railroad on June 29, 1892, in volume 2, 
jt 
page 63, of the maps and plats of San Joaquin County, State of 
B': California; 
jii 
(22) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
to 
ment Company, grantor, and Josie Batten, grantee, on Octo-
t-^ 
ber 10, 1910, and recorded on December 5, 1910, in book A, 
volume 193, page 477, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State 
is 
of California; 
if 
(23) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and Frank Brusso, grantee, on 
'.' •
•
' X'V-s^ 
."' ^•^-•' -
PUBLIC LAW 99-543—OCT. 27, 1986 
100 STAT. 3043 
March 18, 1912, and recorded on September 5, 1912, in book A, 
volume 211, page 459, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State 
of California; 
(24) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and George Leonard, grantee, on Octo-
ber 16, 1911, and recorded on December 7, 1911, in book A, 
volume 207, page 205, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, State 
of California; 
(25) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and George Leonard, grantee, on 
December 12, 1911, and recorded on December 20, 1911, in book 
A, volume 205, page 587, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, 
State of California; 
(26) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and Jacob Stritzinger, grantee, on 
February 10, 1912, and recorded on December 29, 1914, in book 
A, volume 250, page 377, of the deeds of San Joaquin County, 
State of California; 
(27) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and M. R. Fothergill, grantee, on 
July 13, 1917, and recorded on July 29, 1917, in book A, volume 
315, page 34, of the deeds of San Joaquin (Dounty, State of 
California; 
(28) the conveyance entered into between the Pacific Improve-
ment Company, grantor, and Miles J. Brown, J. C. Droge, and 
W. F. Sattler, grantees, on March 29, 1916, and recorded on 
April 1, 1916, in book A, volume 273, page 375, of the deeds of 
San Joaquin County, State of California, excluding that portion 
of such conveyance concerning— 
- - (A) lots 1 through 9, and lots 12 and 13, in block 37; 
(B) lots 1 through 5 in block 38; 
fcliiiCl J (C) lots 11,12,19, and 20 in block 45; 
. 
jrff 
(D) lots 11 through 18 in block 48; and 
(E) lots 15 through 18, and lots 20 through 23, in block 51; 
as designated on the map entitled "Map of the Town of Tracy 
San Joaquin California", filed at the request of the Southern 
Pacific Railroad on June 29, 1892, in volume 2, page 63, of the 
maps and plats of San Joaquin County, State of California; 
(29) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation CJompany, grantor, and Manuel Joseph Silva, 
Mary Ann Gloria Silva, and Anna I. Silva, grantees, on 
January 13, 1981, and recorded as instrument numbered 
81013675 on March 6, 1981, in the official records of San Joa-
quin County, Stats of California; 
(30) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Ada Lotierzo, grantee, 
on January 13, 1981, and recorded as instrument numbered 
81013677 on March 6, 1981, in the official records of San Joa-
quin County, State of California; 
(31) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Marie E. Wilson, 
grantee, on January 13, 1981, and recorded as instrument num-
bered 81013678 on March 6, 1981, in the official records of San 
Joaquin County, State of California; 
(32) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and the Home Mission Board 
of the Southern Baptist Convention, grantee, on January 13, 
100 STAT. 3044 
PUBLIC LAW 99-543—OCT. 27, 1986 
1981, and recorded as instrument numbered 81013676 on 
March 6, 1981, in the official records of San Joaquin County, 
State of California; 
(33) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Jose Gutierrez and 
Maria Gutierrez, grantees, on January 13,1981, and recorded as 
instrument numbered 81013674 on March 6,1981, in the official 
records of San Joaquin County, State of California; 
(34) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Odessa Jones Manley, 
grantee, on January 13,1981, and recorded as instrument num-
bered 81013679 on March 6, 1981, in the official records of San 
Joaquin County, State of California; 
(35) the conveyemce entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation 0)mpany, grantor, and William Assad, grantee, 
on January 13, 1981, and recorded as instrument numbered 
81013680 on March 6, 1981, in the official records of San Joa-
quin (bounty. State of California; 
(36) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Larry C. Fragoso, 
grantee, on January 13,1981, and recorded as instrument num-
bered 81013681 on March 6, 1981, in the official records of San 
Joaquin County, State of California; and 
(37) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and the Housing Authority 
of the CJounty of San Joaquin, grantee, on January 13,1981, and 
recorded as instrument numbered 81013682 on March 6,1981, in 
the official records of Scm Joaquin County, State of Csdifornia. 
SEC. 4. CONVEYANCES OF LANDS IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY. STATE OF 
CALIFORNIA. 
The conveyances of lands in Sacramento (Dounty, State of Califor-
nia, referred to in section 2 are as follows: 
(1) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Company, grantor, and Walker & Donant, grantee, on 
February 24,1967, and recorded as instrument numbered 13155 
on March 1, 1967, in book 67-03-01, page 284, of the official 
records of Sacramento C!ounty, State of (]!alifornia; 
(2) the conveyance entered into between the Southern Pacific 
Transportation Company, grantor, and Walker and Donant, 
grantee, on September 20, 1976, and recorded as instrument 
numbered 125515 on October 19, 1976, in book 7610-19, page 
567, of the official records of Sacrsunento County, State of 
California; and 
(3) the conveyance entered into between (Dentral Pacific Rail-
way Company, grantor, and James Keymer, grantee, on 
r 
June 13, 1931, and recorded as instrument numbered 10705 on 
July 13, 1931, in book 359, page 1, of the official records of 
Sacramento County, State of California. 
SEC. 5. CONVEYANCE OF LAND IN KINGS COUNTY, STATE OF CALIFORNIA. 
The conveyance of land in Kings County, State of California, 
referred to in section 2 is as follows: the conveyance entered into 
between the Southern Pacific (Company, grantor, and the Clontinen-
tal Grain Company, grantee, on August 7, 1968, and recorded as 
instrument numbered 11974 on September 30, 1968, in book 927, 
page 898, of the official records of Kings County, State of California. 
PUBLIC LAW 99-543-OCT. 27, 1986 
100 STAT. 3045 
SEC. 6. CONVEYANCE OF LANDS IN NEVADA COUNTY, STATE OF CALIFOR-
NIA. 
The conveyance of lands in Nevada County, State of California, 
referred to in section 2 are as follows: the conveyance entered into 
between the Southern Pacific Transportation Company, grantor, 
and Soda Springs Station, grantee, on March 19,1981, and recorded 
as instrument numbered 8107969 on March 31, 1981 in the official 
records of Nevada County, State of California. 
SEC. 7. LIMITATIONS ON VALIDATION OF CONVEYANCES. 
(a) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed to— 
(1) diminish the right-of-way referred to in section 2 to a 
width of less than fifty feet on each side of the center of the 
main track or tracks maintained by the Southern Pacific 
' ^ Transportation Company on the date of the enactment of this 
Act; or 
(2) legalize, validate, or confirm, with respect to any land that 
is the subject of a conveyance referred to in section 3, 4, 5, or 6, 
any right or title to, or interest in, such land arising out of 
adverse possession, prescription, or abandonment, and not con-
firmed by such conveyance. 
(b) RESERVATION.—There is reserved to the United States all oil, 
coal, or other minerals in any land that forms a part of the right-of-
way referred to in section 2 and is the subject of a conveyance 
referred to in section 3,4, 5, or 6, together with the right to prospect 
for, mine, and remove such oil, coal, or other minerals under such 
rules and regulations as the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe. 
Approved October 27, 1986. 
Petroleum and 
petroleum 
products. 
Coal. 
Minerals and 
mining. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2067: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 99-388 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 99-455 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 131 (1985): Dec. 3, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 132 (1986): Oct. 9, considered and passed Senate.