| Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum |
| Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum |
October 2, 2006
G. Allan Hancock Family Sells Santa Maria Valley Railroad to Local Railroad Investor GroupCaptain G. Allan Hancock's only grandchild and her family have signed an agreement to sell the name and operating assets of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad Company and approximately 14 miles of Right of way west of South McClelland Street to the Coast Belle Rail Corp. owned by the Himoto and Larsen-Neubert families of San Luis Obispo. The Hancock Family will continue to own the railroad yards and adjacent commercial and industrial properties maintaining their long established interest in the Santa Maria Valley.The Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR) was established in 1911 and was purchased out of bankruptcy in 1925 by Captain G. Allan Hancock who had the vision, passion and resources needed to build it into a top quality and profitable short line railroad operation. The SMVRR has played an important role in the development of the Santa Maria Valley by hauling fresh and frozen vegetables, lumber, steel, machinery, asphalt, aluminum, fertilizers and other industrial products. The 14 mile SMVRR will continue to serve this valley as an efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly transporter of products. With a direct connection to the national railroad network through the Union Pacific Railroad, the Santa Maria Valley Railroad enables companies in the Santa Maria Valley to compete in the global market. The Santa Maria Valley Railroad will continue to be the Transportation Gateway for the Central Coast. The railroad will continue to operate under the family ownership of the Himoto and the Larsen-Neubert families. "We have much respect for the history of the railroad, which was one of the top short line railroad companies in the nation and we are very optimistic about the future long term prospects for the Santa Maria Valley Railroad," said Rob Himoto, President of the Coast Belle Rail Corp. The Hancock family is pleased to have arranged this sale to the Himoto and Larsen-Neubert families because they too, have vision, imagination and passion for the long term prospects of servicing the Santa Maria valley. Rob Himoto President, Coast Belle Rail Corp. DBA Santa Maria Valley Railroad 628 South McClelland Street Santa Maria, CA 93454 (805) 922-7941 FAX (805) 922-9554 Michael Parry President, G.A. Hancock Properties Formerly Santa Maria Valley Railroad P.O. Box 340 Santa Maria, CA 93456 ### See the SMVRR Change-of-Ownership Ceremony held October 6, 2006. [Santa Maria Times article] |