Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR): Change-of-Ownership Celebration

The Santa Maria Valley Railroad
A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Coast Belle Rail Corporation

Change-of-Ownership Celebration
October 6, 2006

"I'd like to focus today on the human side of this transaction," said Jane Brennan-McGovern, great grand daughter of Capt. Hancock, as she opened the ceremony. "You'll have to excuse me if I slip into refering to Captain Hancock as Poppa. The family is sad to lose the railroad, but delighted with the new owner and the potential for the railroad's future." Hal Madson (r), author of Railroads of the Santa Maria Valley, added that SMVRR No. 21 was inaugurated at this very spot 81 years ago.

81 years ago, Captain G. Allan Hancock bought the Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR). Today, a brief yet profound ceremony at the SMVRR's downtown yard commemorated an historic change of ownership of the railroad from the Hancock organization to its new owners as of last week, the Coast Belle Rail Corporation.

Ever wonder how a train whistle can sound both mournful and hopeful at the same time... Traditionally, a railroad change-of-ownership ceremony includes two blasts of the locomotive whistle, one by the previous owner and one by the new owner. Today, the two great great grand daughters of Captain Hancock, Brenna and Sydney, sounded the whistle first followed by a blast by the boys, Michael, nephew of SMVRR's Dave Jennings, and Adrian, son of 3rd-generation SMVRR railroader Jesse Flores. There have been many members of the Flores family that worked on the SMVRR. But for the fact that the loco's whistle is heard every day in Santa Maria, the whole town would surely have taken notice.

Jane presented a plaque to wish Mike Parry well, who will be leaving the SMVRR after 24 years of service to stay with the Hancock land company. Two remaining SMVRR employees, Dave Jennings (white shirt) and Vince Martinez (blue shirt) looked on.

Brenna and Sydney turned over No. 1801's keys and an SMVRR lantern to Michael and Adrian.

The speakers' table for today's event was shaded by SMVRR No. 1801, spotted against the old depot building at the downtown railroad yard. The depot building is now the office location for the new operators.

At the other end of No. 1801 is the depot building, and to the left is the speeder and Caboose No. 180, the latter recently restored by the Museum

One of the SMVRR GE 70-ton locomotives rested quietly in the enginehouse during the ceremony.

Pat Brennan, Hancock's grand daughter and daughter of Rosemary, presented a picture of the inauguration of SMVRR No. 21 to Rob Himoto, President of the Coast Belle Rail Corporation

Seated from right to left: Vera McCray, an employee of Hancock's and Rosemary Farms; Vi Temple, Captain Hancock's secretary; Vera's sister; and Tom Brennan, Pat's husband. The employees were made to feel part of the family.

Pat presented Rob with the family's "Red Book", an album full of SMVRR memories.

In the ceremonial acceptance of the railroad, Rob Himoto spoke assuredly of the railroad's bright future, and interest in developing new services such as a tourist train. Rob served several years on the Board of Directors of the Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum.

Adrian stood on the platform of SMVRR Caboose No. 180 which was open for display by the Museum during today's activities.

An old SMVRR speeder, MW-11, was also brought out for the festivities.

On display inside the depot was a myriad of SMVRR memorabilia.

This sign marks the location of the new owner's offices at the depot.

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