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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News:

On June 11, 2025, a SMVRR Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held in the Osburn Rail Yard. Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s newest locomotive, OLMX 2025, was the backdrop for the ceremony. The Ribbon Cutting marks the celebration of OmniTRAX joint venture partnership with Coast Belle Rail Corp. This is OmniTRAX’s 29th rail operation, the first railroad as a joint venture partnership, the previous railroads were acquisitions. The Santa Maria Valley Railroad has been under family control for 100 years. Captain G. Allan Hancock and his descendants ran the railroad from 1925 to 2006 when they sold the railroad to Coast Belle Rail Corp led by Rob Himoto and his family. Family control will continue as OmniTRAX is the largest privately owned short line railroad family operation led by Pat Broe and his family.

On March 12, 2025, the SMVRR opened a new chapter and entered into a joint venture with Omnitrax! This new joint venture will allow the SMVRR to continue to grow the railroad, improve infrastructure, and improve customer service! With Omnitrax the railroad shares the same family, safety, operations, and customer service culture.

OmniTRAX, one of North America’s fastest growing privately held rail management companies, has entered into a joint venture for the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. The acquisition is a joint venture partnership with Coast Belle Rail Corporation, the local operator of the railroad since 2006.

“The Santa Maria Railroad has been vital to the valley for decades and this new partnership adds the resources, relationships, and real estate development capacities to ensure that this century old railroad continues to serve Californians for generations to come,” said Santa Maria Valley Railroad President Rob Himoto.

Click here for the OmniTrax press release.

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Current Activities:

December 11, 2025 -- Friends Holiday Reception and Market

You are invited to the Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad
Holiday Reception and Market!

Thursday December 11, 2025
5 pm to 8 pm
Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s Office
1599 A Street
Santa Maria, CA 93456

Stop on by for some refreshments, socializing, gift purchasing, and holiday cheer! Also, the Santa Maria Valley Railroad has been restocking their Company Store in time for Christmas gift ideas!

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.