History

The Santa Maria Valley Railroad began on July 11, 1911, driven by an English oil syndicate to transport oil and asphalt. By October 7, 1911, it reached Santa Maria and was fully completed by November 5, 1911.

The railroad commenced switching operations for the Union Sugar Plant located in the town of Betteravia. Initially, the railroad experienced success; however, when the sugar plant shut down in the 1920s, the railroad ultimately faced bankruptcy by 1925.

In 1925, Captain G. Allan Hancock purchased the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, ushering in a new era of growth and modernization. Under his leadership, the railroad began the expansion of its trackage, upgraded equipment, and strengthened connections with local industries bringing about an era of growth for the city of Santa Maria.

In 1940, the SMVRR acquired the Airbase Branch from the Pacific Coast Railway, extending service to the new Santa Maria Army Air Base. The line became vital during World War II, carrying troops and supplies, and thus solidified the SMVRR’s role in the region’s transportation network.

In February 1962, Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s steam locomotive No. 21 made its final run from Guadalupe to Santa Maria with a sold out final excursion, closing the chapter on the railroad’s steam era. Captain Hancock was at the throttle, with his good friends Walt Disney riding in the cab—a symbolic farewell to the age of steam. Today, No. 21 can still be seen in Oregon, thanks to the dedicated restoration and preservation efforts of the Astoria Railroad Preservation Association. 

In 1965 Captain G. Allen Hancock passed peacefully in his sleep. He was a man of exceptional vision, dedication, and action. He introduced numerous innovations to the Santa Maria Valley, many of which are preserved in his honor and continue to thrive to this day. 

Marian Hancock had been involved with the operations of the SMVRR for many years prior to her husband's passing, serving as the first woman to sit on a Railroad Board in the nation only to then ascend to Vice President under the Captain's guidance. Two years after his passing she became the first female President of a standard gage railroad in the US.

Sue Sword had a long career with the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, she was one of Marian's first hires starting as an Accountant, working her way up to becoming a member of the Board and eventually serving as our second female President until her retirement in 2000. During her active years she would also go on to become the first female director of the American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association. 

In 1993, the Holly/Union Sugar plant in Betteravia ceased operations after 104 years, significantly affecting the SMVRR's freight volumes, as it accounted for 75% of their business. This closure represented a pivotal moment in the railroad's history. The organization's hesitation to modernize its operations placed it at a competitive disadvantage. Furthermore, excessive administrative staff and managerial expenditures led to layoffs of critical rail workers, resulting in widespread deferred maintenance. As a consequence, customers faced significant delays and expressed growing frustration with the declining service levels, prompting many to transition to trucking for their transportation needs.

In 2000 the Rosemary Trust regained control of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, after great effort to try to revive the railroad they came to the decision to sell the railroad. The Coast Belle Rail Corporation was the winning bid and on October of 2006 they took official control of the SMVRR and began the arduous task of rebuilding the infrastructure and earning back their customer base.

In 2016, Coast Belle acquired 28 acres on the western side of Santa Maria, transforming it into the Osburn Railyard. This development introduced two tracks for transloading, effectively broadening their customer base and creating opportunities for those who do not own property adjacent to the railroad.

In 2025, the Santa Maria Valley Railroad achieved a major milestone by establishing a joint venture partnership with OmniTRAX. This strategic alliance represents OmniTRAX's first Joint Venture Agreement and will deliver crucial funding for the ongoing rehabilitation and expansion of the railroad.

This partnership marks a new era of growth for the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, enabling it to better serve customers and meet modern logistics demands. With added capital, the railroad plans to upgrade infrastructure, improve reliability, and expand its network. This collaboration not only benefits the railroad but also revitalizes the local economy, creating jobs and fostering growth. By preserving its legacy while embracing innovation, the Santa Maria Valley Railroad will remain a vital community asset for years to come.