# Santa Maria Valley Railroad > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Santa_Maria_Valley_Railroad > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Santa_Maria_Valley_Railroad.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Valley_Railroad > Source revision: 1355928928 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Californian railroad This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Santa Maria Valley Railroad Overview Headquarters Santa Maria, California Reporting mark SMV Locale Santa Barbara County, California Dates of operation 1911 (1911)–present Technical Track gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Other Website www.smvrr.com Santa Maria Valley Railroad Legend UP Coast Line Guadalupe Green Cyn Trestle Bragur To Betterevia Industrial Park Stock Yards Carr Midco Storage Osburn Rail Yard The Wye Jones Street Airbase branch This diagram: view talk edit The **Santa Maria Valley Railroad** ([reporting mark](/source/Reporting_mark) **SMV**) is a 14.8 miles (23.8 km) [shortline railroad](/source/Shortline_railroad) that [interchanges](/source/Interchange_(freight_rail)) with the [Union Pacific Railroad's](/source/Union_Pacific_Railroad) (former [Southern Pacific](/source/Southern_Pacific_Railroad)) [Coast Line](/source/Coast_Line_(Union_Pacific_Railroad)) at [Guadalupe, California](/source/Guadalupe%2C_California). As of 2006, the Railroad is owned by the Coast Belle Rail Corporation. ## Traffic The SMV handles 2,000 cars annually (1996 estimate). Commodities hauled include: - [Asphalt](/source/Bitumen) - [Fertilizer](/source/Fertilizer) - Fresh and Frozen Food products - [Gypsum](/source/Gypsum) [wallboard](/source/Wallboard) - [Lumber](/source/Lumber) - [Machinery](/source/Machinery) - [Petroleum Products](/source/Petroleum) - [Plastic](/source/Plastic) - Scrap iron Prior traffic included: - [Beer](/source/Beer) - [Sugar](/source/Sugar) and [Sugar beets](/source/Sugar_beet) ## Passenger service Special passenger service was only offered during [World War II](/source/World_War_II) on the Air Base branch to transport military personnel to the [Santa Maria Army Air Base](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Santa_Maria_Army_Air_Base&action=edit&redlink=1) 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](/source/Guadalupe%2C_California) to [Betteravia](/source/Betteravia%2C_California) Junction, was 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](/source/George_Allan_Hancock) [\[1\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225503/http://www.hancockcollege.edu/Default.asp?Page=687), 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](/source/Walt_Disney) was in the cab with Captain Hancock. Baldwin 21 currently is undergoing restoration in [Astoria, Oregon](/source/Astoria%2C_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. On March 12, 2025, OmniTrax entered into a joint venture for the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, becoming the 29th railroad in the OmniTRAX national rail network.[2] Other than No. 21, three other steam locomotives are in existence. Following a successful 38 year restoration, the [Baldwin Locomotive Works](/source/Baldwin_Locomotive_Works) 1924-built No. 205 was sold to the [Albany and Eastern Railroad](/source/Albany_and_Eastern_Railroad) in Lebanon, Oregon and is used on the Santiam Excursion Trains.[3] No. 100 is in Nevada, but has not yet entered restoration by the [Virginia and Truckee](/source/Virginia_and_Truckee). No. 1000 resides on Static Display in [Griffith Park](/source/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). - 2025: OmniTrax enters into a joint agreement with the SMVRR ## Route Route in 1931 ### Main Route - Guadalupe (interchange with UP - former SP) originally leased to SMV by SP. - Betteravia Junction - Carr - Pacer - Midco - [Santa Maria](/source/Santa_Maria%2C_CA) ### Air Base Branch (Santa Maria Army Air Base) - Santa Maria - Airbase (also with a spur to Pesco) ### Betteravia Branch - Betteravia Junction - Gumm (Iremel) - [Betteravia](/source/Betteravia%2C_California) ### Rosemary Branch (abandoned) - Santa Maria - Suey - Rosemary (Rosemary Farms) - Battles ### Gates Branch (abandoned) - Rosemary (named after owner G. Allan Hancock's daughter) - Rex - Gates - Roadamite (Gates - Roadamite abandoned in 1950) ## Motive power The SMV has 6 locomotives: - SMV #70 a [GE 70-ton switcher](/source/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](/source/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](/source/EMD_GP9) built in June 1959 (Builder No. 25314) Built for [Milwaukee Road](/source/Milwaukee_Road) as their #319 - BUGX #1322, a former [Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe](/source/Atchison_Topeka_%26_Santa_Fe) (AT&SF) [EMD GP7](/source/EMD_GP7)(u), still with the original Blue and Gold Paint Scheme (leased). In July of 2025, the loco left the property and headed north. - FWRY 3501 [EMD GP35](/source/EMD_GP35), purchased from the [Fillmore and Western Railway](/source/Fillmore_and_Western_Railway) in 2021. - OMLX 2025, a rebuilt former Kennecott Copper [EMD GP39-2](/source/EMD_GP39-2), delivered in July of 2025. The SMV operated five 70 ton switchers and one [U6B](/source/GE_Universal_Series_locomotives) that were acquired between 1948-1959. Complete roster of Locomotives Owned by the Santa Maria Valley Railroad # Builder SN Type Built Acq' Ret' Dispoistion Notes 1 Schenectady 1588 4-6-0 9/1882 1911 1913 Scrapped Was Southern Pacific of Arizona #69. 1 (2nd) Baldwin 31418 2-8-0 8/1907 1913 1925 to #15 Originally Tonopah & Tidewater #5, purchased from that road 2 Baldwin 29312 2-6-0 8/1906 1913 1925 to #12 Originally Tonopah & Tidewater #4, purchased from that road 12 Baldwin 29312 2-6-0 8/1906 1925 1937 Scrapped Previously #2 15 Baldwin 31418 2-8-0 8/1907 1925 1933 Scrapped Previously #1 21 Baldwin 58638 2-8-2 4/1925 1925 1962 Stored New. Leased to Shasta-McCloud Steam Rail Tour in 1966. See history. Being restored in Astoria, OR 100 Baldwin 59284 2-8-2 6/1926 1942 1962 Sold Was Pope & Talbot, Inc. Sold to White Mountain Scenic RR. See history. Under restoration at Virginia and Truckee Railroad 125 Baldwin 52790 2-6-2 1/1920 Unk 1947 Scrapped Was Columbia & Nehalem River #125 150 Baldwin 55804 2-8-2 11/1922 Unk 1951 Scrapped Was Vance Lumber Company #4 205 Baldwin 57613 2-6-2 1/1924 1933 1950 Operational Was San Joaquin & Eastern #205. Donated to 37th Agricultural District. See history. Restored. At Albany & Eastern Railroad in Lebanon, Oregon [4] 1000 Alco Schenectady 61535 2-8-2 1/1920 1944 1954 Donated Was Newaukum Valley #1000. Donated to Travel Town Museum. See history. 10 General Electric 30019 70-ton 6/1948 1948 Scrapped 20 General Electric 30176 70-ton 7/1948 1948 Sold Sold to Peninsula Terminal 30 General Electric 30447 70-ton 8/1950 1950 2000 Sold Sold to Nevada Northern, soon sold to Colorado, Kansas & Pacific Railroad 40 General Electric 31282 70-ton 3/1952 1952 2000 Sold Sold to Nevada Northern, soon sold to Colorado, Kansas & Pacific Railroad 50 General Electric 31283 70-ton 3/1952 1952 Sold Sold to Peninsula Terminal 60 General Electric 33494 U6B 5/1959 1959 1992 Scrapped 70 General Electric 30381 70-ton 1/1950 1972 Operational Was Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern #411 80 General Electric 32207 70-ton 12/1953 1972 Operational Was Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern #401 1801 EMD 59E-90 GP9 6/1959 1992 Operational Was Great Western of Colorado #1801 2025 Rebuilt EMD GP39-2 2025 Operational Lettered OMLX. Rebuilt former Kennecott Copper EMD GP39-2 Roster from the Friends of the SMV: [https://friends-smvrr.org/images/history/SMVRR-roster.pdf](https://friends-smvrr.org/images/history/SMVRR-roster.pdf) Also see The Diesel Shop Roster: [https://www.thedieselshop.us/SMVR.HTML](https://www.thedieselshop.us/SMVR.HTML) ## See also - [Railways portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Railways) - [List of California railroads](/source/List_of_California_railroads) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Santa Maria Valley Railroad on a roll and on track for a bright future"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190529022049/https://www.keyt.com/news/on-the-road/santa-maria-valley-railroad-on-a-roll-and-on-track-for-a-bright-future/1080754736). *KEYT*. Archived from [the original](https://www.keyt.com/news/on-the-road/santa-maria-valley-railroad-on-a-roll-and-on-track-for-a-bright-future/1080754736) on May 29, 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** blastoff (March 12, 2025). ["Rail Transportation and Real Estate Development"](https://omnitrax.com/omnitrax-network-adds-santa-maria-railroad/). *OmniTRAX*. Retrieved July 18, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Train enthusiasts celebrate steam locomotive's 100th"](https://www.lebanonlocalnews.com/train-enthusiasts-celebrate-steam-locomotives-100th/). February 16, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Train enthusiasts celebrate steam locomotive's 100th"](https://www.lebanonlocalnews.com/train-enthusiasts-celebrate-steam-locomotives-100th/). February 16, 2024. - 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](/source/San_Marino%2C_CA): [Golden West Books](/source/Golden_West_Books). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-87095-106-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87095-106-8). - Robertson, Donald B. (1998). *Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History*. Vol. IV. [Caldwell, ID](/source/Caldwell%2C_ID): Caxton Printers. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-87004-385-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87004-385-4). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [13456066](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/13456066). [OL](/source/OL_(identifier)) [2716499M](https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2716499M). - Stindt, Fred A. (1996). *American Shortline Railway Guide - 5th Ed*. [Waukesha, WI](/source/Waukesha%2C_WI): Kalmbach Publishing Company. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-89024-290-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-89024-290-9). - Walker, Mike (1997). *Steam Powered Video's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - California and Nevada - Post Merger Edition*. [Kent](/source/Kent), [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom): Steam Powered Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-874745-08-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-874745-08-0). - ["Santa Maria Valley Railroad Historical Museum"](http://www.smvrhm.org/). *Railroad Today and History*. Retrieved January 9, 2006. - ["Santa Maria Valley Railroad Excursions"](http://www.smvrr.com/excursions.html). *Excursions*. Retrieved August 21, 2007. ## External links - [Official Santa Maria Valley Railroad homepage](http://www.smvrr.com/) - [Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad](http://www.friends-smvrr.org/) - [Abandonment of 5 miles in 2002](https://web.archive.org/web/20030101081033/http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2002/November/Day-14/i28804.htm) - [UPRR profile of SMV](http://www.up.com/customers/shortline/profiles_q-s/smv/index.htm) ## Additional reading - Lustig, David (December 2020). "*Short line: Santa Maria Valley*". *[Trains](/source/Trains_(magazine))*. [Kalmbach Media](/source/Kalmbach_Media). p. 46. v t e Railroads of California Common carriers Class I BNSF Railway Union Pacific Railroad Class II Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad Class III Arizona and California Railroad Baja California Railroad California Northern Railroad Goose Lake Railway Merced County Central Valley Railroad Northwestern Pacific Railroad Sacramento Valley Railroad San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad San Francisco Bay Railroad San Joaquin Valley Railroad Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Santa Maria Valley Railroad Sierra Northern Railway Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad Trona Railway Ventura County Railroad Yreka Western Railroad Terminal railway Central California Traction Company Los Angeles Junction Railway Modesto and Empire Traction Company West Oakland Pacific Railroad Pacific Harbor Line Quincy Railroad Richmond Pacific Railroad Passenger carriers Inter-city rail Amtrak California Zephyr Coast Starlight Southwest Chief Sunset Limited Texas Eagle Amtrak California Capitol Corridor Gold Runner Pacific Surfliner Commuter rail Altamont Corridor Express Caltrain Coaster Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Antelope Valley Arrow Inland Empire–Orange County Orange County Riverside San Bernardino Ventura County North County Transit District Coaster Sprinter SMART Mass transit BART eBART Metro Rail Muni cable cars Market Street Railway Muni Metro SacRT San Diego Trolley VTA Under construction Brightline West California High-Speed Rail OC Streetcar Private carriers Edwards Air Force Base Southern California Railroad USG Corporation West Isle Line, Inc. Heritage railroads Calico and Odessa Railroad California Trolley and Railroad Corporation California Western Railroad Disneyland Monorail Disneyland Railroad Ghost Town & Calico Railroad Niles Canyon Railway Napa Valley Wine Train Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Poway–Midland Railroad Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway Sierra Railroad Sacramento RiverTrain Sacramento Southern Railroad Western Pacific Railroad Museum Western Railway Museum Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad See also Former carriers in California List of United States railroads by political division --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Santa Maria Valley Railroad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Valley_Railroad) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Valley_Railroad?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.