Special passenger service was only offered during World War II on the Air Base branch to transport military personnel to the Santa Maria Army Air Base for training. The Air Base branch was constructed in 1943. Excursions were offered for the first time on the SMVRR in November 2006, continuing into 2007.
History
The SMV was incorporated on July 14, 1911 as the Santa Maria Valley Railway at Los Angeles, California with A. A. Dougherty listed as President.[1]
The first 3.26 miles (5.25 km) of track, from the Southern Pacific connection at Guadalupe to Betteravia Junction, was actually built by the SP in August 1899 to get to a sugar mill. The SP leased the track to the SMV years later. From Betteravia the SMV built to Santa Maria and on to Roadamite. The SMV also had branches running from Stowell to Air Base, Suey to Rosemary Farms and Rex to Gates.
By 1925 the railway traffic had steeply declined and the railway went bankrupt. Captain George Allan Hancock[1], a principal of the Dominion Oil Company, purchased the railroad for $75,000 at a Sheriff's auction. The railroad was then reorganized as the Santa Maria Valley Railroad in 1926. Until 2006, the railroad was owned by Captain G. Allan Hancock's estate.
The original line ran for 23 miles (37 km), from Guadalupe to Roadamite. The track from Gates to Roadamite was abandoned in 1950.
The last run of No. 21, Captain Hancock's favorite steam locomotive, was in February 1962. Captain Hancock took the throttle one last time. Walt Disney was in the cab with Captain Hancock.
Baldwin 21 currently is undergoing restoration in Astoria, Oregon to be returned to excursion service.
The Union Sugar Beet plant closed in 1993, ending the beet train era.
In 1999 the G. Allan Hancock Estate gained full control of the SMV. The assets of the railroad were sold to Coast Belle Rail Corporation in 2006, ending an 81-year ownership by the Hancock family.
Other than No. 21, three other steam locomotives are in existence. Following a successful 38 year restoration, the Baldwin Locomotive Works 1924-built No. 205 was sold to the Albany and Eastern Railroad in Lebanon, Oregon and is used on the Santiam Excursion Trains.[2] No. 100 is in Nevada, but has not yet entered restoration by the Virginia and Truckee. No. 1000 resides on Static Display in Griffith Park at Travel Town.
Timeline
July 14, 1911 Santa Maria Valley Railway organized
August 23, 1911 grading commenced
September 28, 1911 laying rails commenced
March 15, 1912 construction completed
October 7, 1911 first train operated
1926 Santa Maria Valley Railway reorganized as the Santa Maria Valley Railroad
1950 track abandoned between Gates and Roadamite
2006 Purchased by the Coast Belle Rail Corp. from the descendants of G.A. Hancock family
2008 All track east of McClelland Street now vacated. Offices moved to Betteravia Industrial Park (at the site of the old sugar mill).
Route
Route in 1931
Main Route
Guadalupe (interchange with UP - former SP) originally leased to SMV by SP.
Rosemary (named after owner G. Allan Hancock's daughter)
Rex
Gates
Roadamite (Gates - Roadamite abandoned in 1950)
Motive Power
The SMV has 5 locomotives:
SMV #70 a GE 70-ton switcher built in January 1950 (Builder No. 30381) acquired for operation in November 1972 from Fort Dodge DM&S
SMV #80 a GE 70-ton switcher built in December 1953 (Builder No. 32207) acquired for parts for its fleet of 70-ton switchers in November 1972 from Fort Dodge DM&S
SMV #1801 an EMD GP9 built in June 1959 (Builder No. 25314) Built for Milwaukee Road as their #319
Fickewirth, Alvin A. (1992). California railroads: an encyclopedia of cable car, common carrier, horsecar, industrial, interurban, logging, monorail, motor road, shortlines, streetcar, switching and terminal railroads in California (1851–1992). San Marino, CA: Golden West Books. ISBN0-87095-106-8.
Stindt, Fred A. (1996). American Shortline Railway Guide - 5th Ed. Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Company. ISBN0-89024-290-9.
Walker, Mike (1997). Steam Powered Video's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - California and Nevada - Post Merger Edition. Kent, United Kingdom: Steam Powered Publishing. ISBN1-874745-08-0.
