To Shiny Rails

Lynn and I joined Santa Maria Valley Railroad officers and investors on a business excursion to Portland, Oregon aboard the Tioga Pass and the Pacific Sands (behind Amtrak’s Coast Starlight). The trip included at stop at George Lavacot’s place to see the SMV #205 nearing completion. They steamed it up this past January for the first time since 1950. Photos and links: http://JF2.com/150709/

On Saturday of the Open House and BBQ Weekend for the Friends of the SMVRR Railroad, everyone gathered at the railroad headquarters located at the site of the old sugar mill in Betteravia. We enjoyed a Santa Maria Style BBQ, Kevin’s famous Betteravia townsite tour, and a presentation about today’s Santa Maria Valley Railroad. Photos: http://friends-smvrr.org/150620.html

On Friday afternoon of the Open House and BBQ Weekend for the Friends of the SMVRR Railroad, six Friends ventured out into the field to chase a 32-car SMVRR train inbound from Guadalupe. All the pics are here: http://friends-smvrr.org/150619.html

The Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad had quite the blowout gala tonight at the Monarch Club (Trilogy). We raised some money for the Friends and their first responders program, and for the SLO Railroad Museum’s La Condesa (1926 Pullman car) renovation project. Photos: http://friends-smvrr.org/150423.html

The Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad visited the Santa Maria Valley Historical Museum today for a private tour followed by lunch (of course) at The Swiss (just north of Main on Broadway). Photos: http://friends-smvrr.org/150221.html

Lynn and I thoroughly enjoyed a fabulous Labor Day weekend excursion aboard the private railcar Silver Lariat and exploring the Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena. It was a business excursion for the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, which also explains why the Huntington was the destination – as in Henry Huntington, railroad baron. It’s the sort of place where you could spend a week and still not do it justice. Below are a smattering of pics from the trip. We stayed at the the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena; this place is a story on its own. If you’re interested in seeing the entire gallery of photos, just let me know.