What's New

The mission of the Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR) is to preserve, improve, and interpret historical and contemporary aspects of the SMVRR. We provide our members and the public with educational programs such as history, current business practices, and trends related to railroading in general and the SMVRR in particular.

Friends also conducts various activities such as field trips, tours, and travel. Friends is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible organization. More information is on our About page. We welcome your Donations to Friends!

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CABOOSE 210 COMES HOME !


The Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s Caboose 210 was brought back home to the Santa Maria Valley Railroad on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The Guadalupe Amtrak Station and parking lot are undergoing a major renovation which necessitated removal of the caboose. The caboose was moved to the Santa Maria Osburn Rail Yard and will now be restored by the Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. Help us restore 210 with your volunteer time, donations, or other support.

Click here for more info and photos of the move.

Click here to donate to the restoration of Caboose 210.

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Current Activities:

February 28, 2026
Winter BBQ and Yard Sale

Join us for a BBQ Tri-tip Sandwich Lunch at the Santa Maria Valley Railroad on Saturday February 28 from 11 am to 2 pm. You can pick it up and go, or visit for a while. We'll have Railroadiana and artifacts for sale in addition to the Company Store.

Details

February 26, 2026
SMVRHM Document Signing

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, the Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum and the Friends held a document signing ceremony. The Railway Museum is now part of the Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. The Museum is located at on S. Miller St. in Santa Maria between the Transit Center and the Santa Maria-Bonita School District Office. Thursday Feb 26th was the "one Hundred and First" Anniversary of Capt. G. Allen Hancocks purchase of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. We are exceedingly pleased to help assure the future of the Museum's historic rolling stock as we continue to preserve the railroad history of the Santa Maria Valley.

Signing Ceremony photos

Santa Maria Valley Historical Museum

Come and See the NEW Santa Maria Valley Railroad Exhibit

The new and improved SMVRR exhibit celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Captain G.A. Hancock's purchase of the SMVRR.

The Santa Maria Valley Historical Museum is located at 616 S. Broadway in Santa Maria and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm.