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The Santa Maria Valley Railroad A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Coast Belle Rail Corporation Press Release June 1, 2007 For Immediate Release Silver Lariat's Final Excursions on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad 
The Santa Maria Valley Railroad will be running dinner excursions with the ex-California Zephyr dome car Silver Lariat for the final time on Father's Day weekend. There will be three excursions, Spring to Summer Lunch Special on Saturday June 16, Dads and Grads Dinner Special on Saturday June 16, and Father's Day Brunch Excursion Special on Sunday June 17.[Details] [Reservation form] Join us for a wonderful way of celebrating with your father or graduate for an elegant and relaxing fine dining excursion aboard the Silver Lariat on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. The excursions depart from the historic freight depot in downtown Santa Maria and runs west into the picturesque and bountiful Santa Maria Valley. At Betteravia Junction the excursion heads west to the Guadalupe interchange. The excursion will head back to Santa Maria for an 18 mile round trip. On board the Silver Lariat guests will experience the fine dining with hors d'oeuvre and local Santa Maria wines, salad, a choice of two entrees, and a delectable dessert with coffee. The Silver Lariat was built in 1948 for the California Zephyr passenger train. Service ended on the original California Zephyr in 1970 Amtrak purchased the Silver Lariat in 1971. It was used for long distance service was in Amtrak service until 1980. Burt Hermey and Al Bishop purchased the Silver Lariat from Amtrak in 1985 and restored it to its splendor of 1948. The interior was redecorated to the original California Zephyr colors and the mural painted by Mary Louise Lawser in 1948 titled "Pony Express" was restored by a professional art conservator. The table linens are from the original California Zephyr and the china faithfully reproduced from the California Zephyr. The Silver Lariat is frequently chartered for private parties and public events. Top officials from Union Pacific Railroad also frequently charter the Silver Lariat, adding it to their executive business trains. The Silver Lariat has been chartered by both the Democratic and Republican National Convention. The Silver Lariat is usually staffed with professionals from railroads' business cars, top restaurants and hotels providing the guests with top notch elegant service and gourmet meals prepared on board the Silver Lariat's kitchen. The three excursions on Father's Day Weekend will be the last excursions aboard the Silver Lariat for the year on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. Seats are still available and reservations should be made in advance. After the conclusion of the Father's Day Weekend excursions, the Silver Lariat will be part of a four car private charter from Los Angeles Union Station to Sante Fe, New Mexico for five days from July 3 to July 8. Space is still available on this very luxurious excursion featuring two vista dome cars and two private sleeping cars. The trip also includes 3 nights at a former Fred Harvey property now known as the La Fonda Hotel in Sante Fe, New Mexico, a full day at the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad and a motorcoach tour of Taos, New Mexico. For information or reservations contact California Zephyr Railcar Charters, 1146 Charleston St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, phone (714) 751-2032. Or visit their website at www.CalZephyrRailcar.com. For information or reservations for the Father's Day Weekend Excursions contact the Santa Maria Valley Railroad at (805) 922-7941 or our email address at newsinfo@smvrr.com. Or visit our website at www.smvrr.com. Rob Himoto, President (805) 922-7941 Email rhimoto@smvrr.com Sarah Smith, Excursion Operations Director Cell: (831) 596-4743 Email: sarahbearasmith@aol.com Santa Maria Valley Railroad Company PO Box 5665 Santa Maria, CA 93456 (805) 922-7941 FAX (805) 922-9554 www.smvrr.com ####  || About || Services || History || News || Events || Excursions || Store || Contact || |