What's New

----- 2024 -----
Dec 3 Holiday Reception on Dec 12
Oct 30 Work Day Details
Oct 6 2024 Photo Contest LAST CALL -- Nov 1
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 Programs page - Feb 1 Zoom meeting
----- 2022 -----
Nov 23 SMVRR Equipment Roster - updated on history page
Nov 14 2022 Photo Contest - winners announced
Sep 21 Photo Contest - deadline extended to Nov 1
Sep 19 BBQ page - Story & Photos from Aug 20 event
Jun 20 Activities page - Friends BBQ & 2022 Photo Contest
Apr 10 Activities page - 140th Ceremony, Field Trip Roadamite, & Gala information
Feb 15 Programs page - March 24 Zoom Tour of Osburn Yard
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!

Current Activities:

December 12, 2024 -- Friends Holiday Reception and Market

You are invited to the 2024 Friends of the Santa Maria
Valley Railroad Holiday Reception and Market!

Thursday December 12, 2024
5 pm to 8 pm
Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s Office
1599 A Street
Santa Maria, CA 93456

We will have light bites and warm drinks to celebrate the Holiday Season. And the Santa Maria Valley Railroad will have their Company Store open to look for Christmas gift ideas! Stop by for some refreshments, socializing, gift purchasing, and holiday cheer!

Photo Contest Sample

Rail Photo Contest

The submission period for the 2024 SMVRR Photo Contest has closed. Stay tuned for the announcement of winners later this month. The contest categories are: SMVRR Present and Manifest Freight Serving the SMVRR.

Details about the 2024 photo contest and previous contest winners are on the photo contest page.

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Friends Work Days at Osburn Yard

This month's Friends work day will be on Saturday November 2. Meet at the Osburn Yard Railroad Offices at 9 am to help with the move into the new freshly painted Friends Office and then begin organizing the new office. And then enjoy a nice lunch. Another work day is planned for Saturday December 7 -- check back here on the Friday before each work day for details.

Sample Locomotive Printout

Preservation of SMVRR Blueprints

The Friends of SMVRR have begun the task of scanning and archiving blueprints and drawings from the age of steam. These engineering blueprints are of the steam locomotives that were previously in service on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. Help us preserve the original SMVRR Steam Era Blueprints.
Details are on Blueprint Preservation page.

OUR SPONSORS:

We welcome new sponsors to
expand our programs and tours,
and fund educational activities.