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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Current Activities:

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Hancock SMVRR Centennial Celebration
February 26, 2025 at 11 am
former Santa Maria Valley Railroad Offices

The Santa Maria Valley Railroad, together with the Hancock Family, will celebrate 100 years since Captain G. Allan Hancock first purchased the railroad and began an era of great economic change in Santa Maria and the Central Coast. A ceremony will be held on February 26th at 11:00 a.m. at 625 S. McClelland St. in Santa Maria. There will be brief presentations by the Hancock family as well as the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. Reception to immediately follow at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum with light bites and refreshments. More info on the activities page.

Take-Out or Visit BBQ Lunch
and Employee Get Together!
March 1, 2025 -- 11am to 3pm
SMVRR Offices at Osburn Yard

Join us for a BBQ Tri-tip Sandwich Lunch at the Santa Maria Valley Railroad on Saturday March 1 from 11am to 3pm. You can pick it up and go, or visit for a while and catch up on the latest. Also this will be a get together for current and former employees of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad.
Details are on the BBQ Page.

Women and Railroading on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad Presentation
March 20, 2025 at 6 pm
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum

On Thursday March 20 at 6:00 pm a presentation on Santa Maria Valley Railroad, a forerunner in Women in Railroading, will be at the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum. Presentation by Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s VP of Marketing Belinda Popovich, and Rob Himoto, President. There will be a box dinner available for prepurchase at 5:00 pm.
More info on the Programs Page

Photo Charter/Photographers' Day events at Norgrove Railway and Pacific Coast Railroad April 4 & 5, 2025

As part of the 2025 California Steam Charters, Christian Schultz is organizing photographers' day events at the Norgrove Railway and Pacific Coast Railroad. They will include runbys with curated scenes to allow attendees to get the best possible pictures and videos of the railroads.

Full details for this two day event are on our activities page.

Friends 2025 Q1 Work Days at Osburn Yard February 1, 2025

Our next Friends work day is confirmed for Saturday February 1 starting at 9 am. Join us to help out on projects -- meet at 9 am at the Railroad Offices. Saturday March 1 will be the Friends Take-out BBQ and Employee Get Together starting at 11 am. Come on by to see current projects if you are interested in volunteer opportunities for future work days. Always check back here on the Friday before each work day for updates.

10th Annual Dinner Gala

Save The Date

Saturday May 17, 2025
  Registration/Cocktail Hour 5:30 pm
  Dinner 6:30 pm

Edwards Barn - Nipomo

Check back here for more details as we get closer to the event.