The RPRC operates on 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of track in the shipping terminal and wharves at Richmond, California.

The RPRC was formerly known as the Parr Terminal Railroad (reporting mark PRT).

In the 1930s the City of Richmond entered an agreement with the Parr Company to operate the terminal.

The military reservation was created as the result of a lease of 6.54 acres (26,500 m2) dated April 19, 1943 at the Parr terminal area.

The location was used to support World War II efforts and as warehouse/storage for military shipping at the Port of San Francisco.