Annual Friends BBQ and Open House at the SMVRR on August 20, 2022
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After a three-year hiatus of in person events at the Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s Osburn Yard, the Friends of SMVRR were invited back this year for the Open House and BBQ. Those who were able to attend were not disappointed! It was a great opportunity to chat with Rob Himoto, President of SMVRR, and other railroad employees and learn about current operations and future plans for the railroad. The Friends of SMVRR had on display the winners of the 2021 photo contest along with some interesting artifacts of the Santa Valley Railroad’s past. The video “We Built this City” was viewed by many of the attendees as it gives an overview of the railroad’s history and the rehabilitation of infrastructure after being acquired by the Coast Belle Rail Corp. After the BBQ lunch there was time to see the SMVRR m.o.w. crew demonstrate the Mark II tamper and explain how the track rehabilitation and upgrade is performed. The highlight of the day for many attendees was the locomotive cab rides. The GP9, SMV #1801, and the GP35, SMV #3501, were used to give rides from the Osburn Yard a short distance out onto the mainline to the end of Midco Pass and back. The Open House and BBQ will be held again next year on Aug. 19th 2023.