Newsletters


New newsletters are sent via U.S. Mail to current members quarterly (January, April, July, October).

Previous newsletters are available online below. Click on "PDF" for that issue.

Winter 2022

  • More Power for the Santa Maria Valley
  • SMVRR Year In Review
  • Where Are They Now? SMVRR Caboose #190
  • Former SMVRR President Passes - Sue J. Sword

Fall 2021 - PDF

  • Rare Reroute of SMVRR Traffic on the UP Coast Line
  • 2021 Photo Contest Winners
  • Where Are They Now? SMVRR Steam Locomotive #125

Summer 2021 - PDF

  • Sunray Oil Refinery Fire
  • 2021 Virtual Gala Follow-up
  • Friends Annual BBQ August 21st
  • Where Are They Now? Caboose #200
  • Photography Contest (9/1/2021 deadline)
  • Caboose Open House August 8th
  • Dana Adobe Tour Follow-up

Spring 2021 - PDF

  • 6th Annual Fundraiser Gala and Auction
  • Dana Adobe Tour/Walk
  • SM Fire to the Rescue
  • Where Are They Now? Steam Locomotive Headlight
  • Friends Supporter John Marchetti Passes

Winter 2021 - PDF

  • Track Projects - MOW
  • Thank You and Congratulations!
  • Where Are They Now? SMVRR Caboose #171
  • Scholarship Application Period Open

Fall 2020 - PDF

  • Evolution of refrigerator cars on the SMVRR
  • Scholarship Application Now Available
  • 2020 Award Winners
  • Where Are They Now? SMVRR Steam Locomotive #150
  • 1801 "Back in Service"

Summer 2020 - PDF

  • SMVRR Operations Update
  • Railroad Scholarship Fund
  • Virtual Open House
  • Where Are They Now? Diesel Locomotive No. 60 - GE U6B
  • Parlor Car Chat - Online Virtual Event - July 11, 2020

Spring 2020 - PDF

  • COVID-19 Results in Postponement of Programs
  • In Memoriam Betty Himoto
  • New Scholarship Fund
  • Where Are They Now? Steam Locomotive No. 1000
  • Oceano Depot Tour
  • SMVRR Trendsetting Female Railroad Directors

Winter 2019/2020 - PDF

  • The History of Stock Yard and Stock Pass Sidings
  • Sacramento Excursion
  • Where Are They Now? SMV RAIL Bus #9
  • Tour the Historic Oceano Depot - February 29, 2020
  • SMVRR Presentation at Heart of the Valley Talks

Fall 2019 - PDF

Summer 2019 - PDF

Spring 2019 - PDF

  • Upcoming Programs
  • Upcoming Activities
  • 5th Annual Friends of SMVRR Dinner Gala on May 18th (see Activities)
  • Airbase Branch World War II
  • Diesels come to SMVRR
  • SM Valley's Electric Railroad Field Trip, more here

Winter 2018/2019 - PDF

  • Upcoming Events - Activities
  • 4th Annual Friends of SMVRR Dinner Gala
  • Annual Friends BBQ at Santa Maria Valley Railroad
  • "Current Operations and Future Plans on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad" Presentation Hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Railroad
  • Roadamite Field Trip

May 2017 - PDF

  • Upcoming Events - Activities
  • Chinese Railroad Workers, photos
  • Thank You Teachers!
  • Work Day on the Railroad, photos
  • Private Railcar Excursion, photos

January 2017 - PDF

  • Fundraising Gala Dinner (6/18/16)
  • New Storage Container
  • SMVRR BBQ and Open House (8/27/16)
  • Upcoming Events - Programs and Activities

May 2016 - PDF

  • Phillips 66 Refinery Tour (3/5/16)
  • "We Built This City" (1/27/16), photos/story...
  • A Big Thank You to Arrow Camera
  • Seeking Auction Items (for the June 18 Fundraising Dinner)
  • KSBY: "Business is Booming..."
  • Upcoming Events - Programs and Activities

January 2016 - PDF

September 2015 - PDF

March 2015 - PDF

  • Tour of SMV Historical Museum, February 21, 2015, photos...
  • Former SMV #205 Steams Up After 65 Years
  • Membership Update
  • Upcoming Events - Programs and Activities

December 2014 - PDF

  • San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum Tour, November 22, 2014, photos...
  • Private Railcar Excursion to Santa Barbara, October 4, 2014, photos...
  • Alice Simas
  • Membership Update
  • Upcoming Events - Programs and Activities

September 2014 - PDF

  • Summer BBQ - June 14, 2014 - Photos...
  • Electrified Portion of the PCRy - August 23, 2014 - Photos...
  • Phillips 66 Rail Expansion Project
  • 60-car Record Breaker
  • Membership Update
  • Upcoming Events - Programs and Activities

June 2014 - PDF

March 2014 - PDF

  • Signals on the SMVRR, 1/22/14. Photos...
  • New and Recently Renewing Members
  • Betteravia Branch Tour, 2/22/14. Photos...
  • History: Charles R. Rockwood, SMVRR's first Chief Engineer who surveyed the original line
  • Upcoming Events - Programs and Activities

December 2013 - PDF

  • Return of the PCRy Tour, 11/9/13. Photos...
  • Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
  • Passing of Bill Giles
  • Betteravia Tour, 9/14/13. Photos...
  • Industry Presentions at the CCRRF
  • Upcoming Events - Programs and Activities

Fall 2013 - PDF

  • Roskoski Photos at Art After Dark, 6/7/13. Photos...
  • "Recollections of Capt. Hancock" by Jane Brennan, 6/19/13. Photos...
  • Upcoming Events
  • Message from the Railroad

Spring 2013 - PDF

  • Pacific Coast Railway Field Trip, 5/4/13. Photos...
  • National Train Day, 5/11/13
  • Art After Dark (Roskoski photos in SLO), 6/7/13
  • "Recollections of Capt. Hancock" by Jane Brennan, 6/19/13
  • New Siding (Midco Extension)
  • SMVRR Article in Trains Magazine
  • New Switch at Bragur

Winter 2013 - PDF

  • SLO Railroad Historical District Tour, 2/9/13. Photos...
  • John Roskoski's "Surf" presentation, 3/12/13
  • Pacific Coast Railway (PCRy) Tour, 5/4/13 (in the Santa Maria area)
  • Art After Dark (Roskoski photos in SLO), 6/7/13
  • Message from the Railroad
  • Hal Madson passed away
  • White Hills Branch field trip, 10/20/12. Photos...

Fall 2012 - PDF

  • Friends Meeting, 9/26/12
  • Salad Bowl Festival, 10/13/12
  • White Hills Branch Field Trip, 10/20/12
  • National Train Day, May 12, 2012. Photos...
  • Roadamite Field Trip, 7/14/12. Photos...
  • Friends Meeting, 6/27/12