What's New

----- 2025 -----
Jan 14 Winter BBQ
Dec 10 Save Caboose 210
Dec 1 Holiday Party Dec 11
Nov 26 Photo Contest Winners
Sep 29 OmniTRAX talk
Sept 26 Last Call - Photo Contest
July 10 2025 BBQ Info
Jun 30 2025 Photo Contest
May 2 Scholarship application deadline extended
Apr 30 Work day info
Mar 6 Dinner update -
Women-Railroading on March 20
Feb 17 Gala Updates
Jan 20 Activities Updates
Jan 9 Take-out BBQ March 1
----- 2024 -----
Dec 8 Photo Contest Winners
Dec 3 Holiday Reception Dec 12
Oct 30 Work Day Details
Oct 6 2024 Photo Contest
Oct 6 BBQ Photos
Sep 5 Work Day Update
Aug 20 BBQ Update
Jul 31 Work Day Update
Jul 3 2024 BBQ Details
Jun 16 Gala Sponsor thanks
May 24 Gala photos-story
Apr 24 2024 BBQ save-the-date
Apr 19 Gala Update
Apr 1 Gala details
Mar 6 Gala Info
Jan 10 Added No. 21 BBQ.
Jan 3 Added Work Days
----- 2023 -----
Dec 8 Added Holiday Reception
Oct 6 Added Blueprint Preservation project
Sep 27 Updates to Photo Contest and Huntington Trip
Sep 13 BBQ Photos posted
Jun 30 Activities page -
Sept 22-24 Huntington Excursion
Jun 22 Programs page - July 12 "SMVRR Update" at SLORRM
Jun 8 Gala Photos, 2023 BBQ, 2023 Photo Contest
May 20 Gala Success.
Apr 5 Gala - May 20th.
Feb 15 Gala - Save The Date
Jan 28 RR BBQ & Sale - Feb 4
Jan 8 Program - Zoom meeting
More -- Archived Updates ....

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!

HELP US SAVE CABOOSE 210

As the year draws to a close, we are reaching out for donations to support our mission of preserving the history of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. Our goal is to acquire SMVRR Caboose 210, which is currently on display at the Amtrak Station in Guadalupe, alongside funding for our ongoing projects and operational expenses. Your contributions will be instrumental in helping us achieve these objectives.

The Guadalupe Amtrak Station and parking area are scheduled for a complete renovation, which will result in Caboose 210's removal. If we are successful in our acquisition, there will be associated expenses, including the cost of the crane, inspection and other necessary expenses to bring 210 home and preserve this historic piece of the Santa Maria Valley's rolling stock.

Your commitment to The Friends is greatly appreciated.

Click here to donate.

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 and ordering here.

Photo Contest Sample

2025 Rail Photo Contest Winners

Our 5th Annual SMVRR Photo Contest has been completed. Congratulations to the winners of this years contest and thanks to everyone who submitted photos! The winning photos will be showcased in the Friends Winter January 2026 Newsletter.

Winning photos are shown on our photo contest page.

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, Santa Maria.

OUR SPONSORS: