The Fifth Annual Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad Dinner Gala held on Saturday May 18, 2019 at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Two annual awards were presented.

The Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s Fifth Annual Railroad Public Safety Award went to Chief of Police Phil Hansen and the City of Santa Maria Police Department in recognition of their efforts to promote railroad safety in the community. City streets cross railroad tracks throughout the City of Santa Maria. They represent a serious safety issue, as motorists and pedestrians regularly disregard the flashing lights, bells, and crossing gates that protect these crossings. Santa Maria Police produced a public service announcement aimed at educating the public about the importance of obeying the signals at railroad grade crossings. Chief Hansen and his department worked with the Santa Maria Valley Railroad on this public outreach, as well as enforcement efforts to curb crossing signal violations.

The Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s Fifth Annual Railroad Public Safety Award was presented by Rob Himoto, President and Nathan Paul, Director of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. Accepting the award on Chief Hanson’s behalf was Commander Dan Cohen. Commander Cohen commented that this is a great example of an entity working together with the Police Department to improve public safety.

The Fifth Annual G. Allan Hancock History Preservation award was presented to the San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association (SLOMRRA). The SLOMRRA supports the interpretation of historical and contemporary aspects of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad through their museumgrade modeling. Railroad customers such as Delta Liquid Energy are depicted in these models. The SLOMRRA has been participating in the Santa Barbara County Fair for a number of years by displaying their operating model train layout at the fair. The Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad recognize value in their participation at the County Fair bringing awareness of railroading on the Central Coast.

Accepting the award on behalf of the San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association was CFO Harry Shade and Membership Director Phil Coutu. Presenting the award was Jane Brennan, great-granddaughter of Captain Hancock, and great-great granddaughters Sidney and Brenna McGovern. Mr. Schade talked about the history of the SLOMRRA and the concept of a modular model railroad where members can reach more of the public by scaling their display to fit a small venue or a larger one, such as the Santa Barbara County Fair.

The Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad is a nonprofit organization who’s mission is to preserve, improve and interpret the historical and contemporary aspects of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. More information can be found online at friendssmvrr.org.