Goleta Depot Dispatch, Vol. 20, No. 1 — Spring 2000 Page 1

Newsletter of the South Coast Railroad Museum Volume 20, Number 1 — Spring 2000

Easter Bunny Visits April 22 Wood-Claeyssens Foundation ticle that appeared Dec. 5, along with a nice photograph of the couple. Both are Coast It’s almost spring — time for the Easter Gives $2,000 Grant Starlight guides and also staff the museum Bunny Express to make another scheduled — Perry in the model-railroad exhibit and stop at the museum. This year’s event, the The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation has awarded the museum a $2,000 capital Pat as depot agent. 8th annual, will be Saturday, April 22, from In January, the Lorentzens also became 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. By that date, as an added improvement grant. The funds will be used to repaint the the museum’s newest trustees, by action of attraction, the museum grounds should be the Board. ablaze from thousands of blooms of poppy second-story exterior of Goleta Depot. and nasturtium. Perry and Pat Lorentzen Festive egg-shaped tickets — one of “March Madness” Returns many Easter Bunny Express hallmarks — Thanks To Goleta Nat’l Bank will provide entry to There’ll be free rides on the Goleta a wealth of fun activi- Short Line throughout the month of March, ties, including visits to thanks to sponsor Goleta National Bank. Wabbit-Twacks Station Last year’s inaugural “March Madness” (to board the fanci- event was so popular that it led to all-time fully-decorated minia- record turnouts both for March and for the ture train for a ride entire first quarter. Total train ridership around the museum reached 1,483 for the month. grounds); Harvey’s To accommodate these larger crowds, House (where a cookie the ride schedule will be expanded through- Did You Know? and beverage await); Easter-Bunnyville (to out the month. The train will run Wednes- Goleta Depot will celebrate its 100th meet the Easter Bunny and select an egg day through Sunday (with the addition of birthday next year. Don’t miss the party! surprise); Jack-Rabbit Junction (to enter a draw- Thursday to the regular lineup) and from In fact, the museum is planning a year- ing for some marvelous gifts); and What’s 1:15 to 3:45 (increasing weekday hours to long centennial celebration to mark the oc- Up Dock (to collect another event souvenir). match those on the weekends). casion. We hope you’ll join the festivities. The ticket price is $3 for children and This month-long activity is part of the Of course, the construction of the adults, alike. Tickets will be available during museum’s continuing commitment to make community landmark was only one of a long the event until 3:30 p.m. Or, they may be its programs and activities available to the series of events leading up to the comple- purchased in advance during regular mu- widest possible audience. tion of the Southern Pacific Railroad’s Coast seum hours (Wed.-Sun., 1-4 p.m.). Please plan to attend. And, be sure to Line linking Los Angeles and San Francisco. Hot sandwiches and other refreshments tell your friends, family, teachers and others This March 15, for example, marks the will be available for those wishing to enjoy about March Madness at the railroad museum. 100th anniversary of the commencement lunch or an afternoon snack during the of track-laying west from Ellwood. (SP’s line event, thanks to support from the Goleta Lorentzens Picked As Area from the south had reached Santa Barbara Lions Club. in 1887, but the trackwork stalled in the Go- Hop aboard the Easter Bunny Express on “Volunteers Of The Week” leta Valley, where the end-of-track remained April 22 (Rain date: 4/29). It promises to Museum volunteers Pat and Perry for over a decade. be another hare-raising eggs-perience for the Lorentzen were chosen “Volunteers Of By March 29, 1900, the new rails had whole family! The Week” in a Santa Barbara News-Press ar- (continued on page 2) Page 2 Goleta Depot Dispatch, Vol. 20, No. 1 — Spring 2000 Joseph A. Hieke (Volunteers). Museum Honored With South Coast Railroad Museum New Junior Engineers Club members Institute for American Research include Sam Calvert, Nicholas Ford and “Goleta Pride” Award Sarah Michele Rasmussen. The South Coast Railroad Museum was Board of Trustees recognized as recipient of the “Goleta Pride David Chapman June 28 Program Profiles Award for the month of January. The award, Art Flores which recognizes excellence that contributes Kip Kramer Montecito Barons toward community betterment, is co-spon- Noel Langle “Montecito’s Hilltop Barons” will be the sored by Goleta Beautiful, the Goleta Val- John C. Locke subject of a talk and slide presentation by ley Chamber of Commerce and the two Pat Lorentzen popular local lecturer and historian Neal Goleta-based Rotary clubs. Perry Lorentzen Graffy. The program will be held on Wed., In November 1998, Museum Director Bruce Morden June 28 at Goleta Library, 500 North Gary Coombs was a Goleta Pride Award Jim Staples Fairview Avenue, beginning at 7 p.m.. recipient. The program focuses on five men — Richard D. Thom The award sign greeted museum visitors. their backgrounds, families, and magnificent Officers — 2000 hilltop estates — who adopted Santa Bar- bara and, through their philanthropy, dra- Rich Thom, President matically improved local health care, en- Noel Langle, Vice-President hanced community schools, preserved our Jim Staples, Secretary beach fronts, and helped rebuild the city Kip Kramer, Treasurer after the 1925 earthquake. Profiled are: C.K.G. Billings of Union Senior Staff Carbide and his estate Asombrosso; George Gary B. Coombs, Ph.D., Director Owen Knapp (Arcady, President of Union Phyllis J. Olsen, Asst. Director Carbide); Frederick Forrest Peabody (Solana, President, Arrow Shirts), David Gray (Graholm, Vice-president,, Ford Motor Co.,) and Publisher William H. Cowles (Eucalyp- (continued from page 1) tus Hill). Volunteer News reached west from Goleta as far as Eagle Neal Graffy is Santa Barbara County’s most prolithic historical lecturer, present- The latest additions to the corps of Canyon, and on April 7, the first construc- museum volunteers include Patricia tion train pulled into Naples. In May, the ing almost 40 talks in 1999 alone. His repetoire covers a wide range of historical Edgerton and Ed and Jonee Grat, who are 661-foot-long bridge over Dos Pueblos training to become Coast Starlight guides. Canyon was completed while track-build- subjects — from Santa Barbara street names, to the Flying ‘A’ Film Studio, to the lavish In February, Eva Scheel completed her train- ing from the north had reached Alegria, four ing and is now a full-fledged Coast Starlight miles west of Gaviota. Potter and Arlington hotels, to the neigh- borhoods of Mission Canyon and San guide. Future issues of the Depot Dispatch will Joe Hieke, another new volunteer, has share additional details on the events lead- Roque, among several others. His local-history writings have appeared been sharing the model-railroad exhibit with ing up to the completion of SP’s Coast visitors and recently completed the training Route and the building of Goleta Depot. in Santa Barbara Magazine, the Santa Bar- bara Independent, and publications of the to operate the miniature train ride. (While You may also view a more complete chro- at work, Joe is a sleeping-car attendant nology on the museum’s internet web site: Santa Barbara Historical Society and Santa Barbara Trust for Historical Preservation. aboard Amtrak’s Los Angeles-to-Chicago www.goletadepot.org. There are also a num- Southwest Chief.). ber of publications that tell the Coast Route A former member and chairman of the story, including Southern Pacific's Coast Route Santa Barbara County Landmarks Commis- by John Signor and Nan Lawler’s Closing The sion, Graffy remains active with a number Gap, a booklet available in the museum’s of local history organizations, including the Goleta Depot Dispatch: Newsletter of the Trackside Shop. Santa Barbara Corral of Westerners and E South Coast Railroad Museum. Special thanks to Bruce Morden for Clampus Vitus. The program, which is part of the Published quarterly by the Institute for his help both with this article and in pre- American Research, 300 North Los paring the web-site chronology. museum’s Continuing Lecture Series, is free and Carneros Rd., Goleta, CA 93117-1502. open to members and the general public. Neal Graffy will be on hand to answer ques- To contact us: Welcome New Members Phone: 805-964-3540; tions and meet with attendees following his FAX: 805-964-3549 New museum members include Patty presentation. Refreshments also will be E-mail: [email protected] and Terry Bliss (Milepost 100), George served after the program. Web-site: www.goletadepot.org Thorpe (Contributing), Gabor and Julie Dobos (Active), and Patricia Edgerton and Goleta Depot Dispatch, Vol. 20, No. 1 — Spring 2000 Page 3 Members and Friends Share Bank Sponsors Free Rides Pat Lorentzen, William O. McKeag, Dr. and Mrs. John McKee, Robert W. Personal Treasures in for Moms and Dads Miesbauer, Kathleen Miller, Jo Millett, Year-End Display On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, all Isabel Friend Newman, George and Vie moms visiting the museum will be treated Obern, Godwin and Deborah Pelissero, Goleta Depot’s Waiting Room was to free rides on the Goleta Short Line, com- Sally Pierce, Lee and Suzanne Polansky, again alive with the holiday spirit thanks to pliments of Goleta National Bank. Trains George and Helen Potter, Ed and Judy those members who loaned keepsake items will run continuously from 1:15 until the Savage Family, Tallant and Nancy Smith, to complete the “Toy Trains and Teddy Bears!” last train pulls out of the station at 3:45. Tom and Beulah Strout, Rich and Linda exhibition that delighted museum visitors The complimentary tickets may be Thom, George Thorpe, Michael Towbes, from Thanksgiving into the new year. picked up in advance at Goleta National Dana Trout, Hilda Volkman and Jon A new contribution this year came Bank’s office at 5827 Hollister Ave. begin- Wordsworth. from Bob Miesbauer, one of the Coast ning April 24, or in Goleta Depot’s Wait- Organizations appearing on the list in- Starlight guides, who showed off the Ameri- ing Room, during event hours only. Tick- clude California State Parks, Foundation can Flyer electric train he acquired in the ets, at $1 each, will also be available during Roundtable, Friedlander & Associates late 1940s. the event for other family members and Insurance Services, Goleta Valley Cham- Another vintage train, assembled by for the general public. ber of Commerce, Goleta Valley Paint, collector Robert Sponsel, was comprised Goleta National Bank is also sponsor- Goleta National Bank, Mid-State Bank, of Lionel standard-gauge engine and cars ing “Free Rides for Dads” at the museum Paradise Machining Corp., Santa Bar- from the 1918-1926 era. on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18. The same bara Stone, Silicon Beach Communica- Longtime volunteer and former trustee train schedule will apply. tions, Tilford Welding and Toyota of Eugene Allen has placed at least one toy The bank helped to originate the Santa Barbara. live-steam locomotive in the annual holi- Father’s Day event in 1994, and has spon- On behalf of everyone who benefits day display since its inception. This year, it sored both events ever since. from the museum, special thanks to all of was his “Birmingham Dribbler,” manufac- these generous contributors. tured in England circa 1925. Another popular keepsake returning to Gifts To Museum Are the display was “Merry-Lee,” a giant stuffed Gratefully Acknowledged Scouts Learn About Train bear shared by Scotty Becker, son of do- cent Ken Becker. Also on display was Last year, all contributors to the mu- Travel At Museum “Ginger,” a beloved stuffed bear given to seum were acknowledged on a list that was Cub Scout Pack 7 (below) recently docent Edee Brown by her grandchildren prominently displayed throughout the year visited the museum to learn about riding in 1994. at the entrance to the grounds. the train, in preparation for a February trip Many Junior Engineers and their fami- This practice is being repeated this year. to Legoland via Amtrak’s San Diegans. lies also participated this year. Club mem- The initial donors list can be viewed at any ber Matthew Arnold was pleased to share time that the museum is open. The list will his dear “Tigger” with the museum’s visi- be updated periodically with the names of tors. Kevin Kerrigan, another Jr.. Engi- new contributors. neer, contributed two special items, a teddy- The current listing covers everyone bear engineer and a glass-crystal locomo- who has made a financial contribution since tive. Jr. Engineer Cody Stocker was five the beginning of the fiscal year, including years old when he received Diesel Engine program sponsors, year-end givers, and No. 5, a colorful addition to this year’s pre- those starting or renewing memberships at sentation. the Sustaining Member level or above. Members of the David and Susan Listed are Christine Allen, Junior En- Nivin family added several items to the dis- gineers Brian & Lesley Anderson, Betty play, including stuffed animals handmade Bazzi, Lucille Beckman, Patty and Terry by Mom, “Freeway” and “Snowflake,” the Bliss, Ron Bruns, Larry and Theresa latter belonging to daughter, Heather, a Caccese, Reid and Robin Cederlof, Volunteers Are Needed Junior Engineer. Young James brought us Helen H. Coffey, Betty J. Coombs, Mike his wooden train set, each car a handmade and Betsy Couch, William Crow, Chuck The museum needs more volunteers to Christmas gift from his uncle. and Nike Dreier, Patricia Edgerton, Nils share the historical landmark and museum Every year, all museum members are Froula, Mike and Brenda Gartzke, Rob- with visitors. invited to participate in the upcoming holi- ert Halverson, Jim Harasta, Harry If you have one afternoon (about three day-season display. It’s not too early to add Harrison, RoseAnn Hill, Don and Jo hours) that you can give each month, please your name to the list of contributors to Hollister, Morse and Opal Jeffers, Josiah call Asst. Director Phyllis Olsen at 964-3540. the 2000 presentation of Toy Trains and F. Jenkins, Josiah C. and Karen Jenkins, She can tell you more about the rewards and Teddy Bears! by contacting the museum of- Ellen G. Keeter, Kip and Stella Kramer, benefits of the museum’s volunteer pro- fice (964-3540). Noel and Peggy Langle, Joe and Diane gram. Lemons, Lensander Family, Perry and Page 4 Goleta Depot Dispatch, Vol. 20, No. 1 — Spring 2000 Board Chooses Officers and taurant & Catering. The event would not sources, generating more than 10% of all have been possible without their support. monies needed for operations. Funds are New Trustees; Rich Thom Is Also contributing to the success of the raised by many of the event participants, President for 2000 day were volunteers Edee Brown, Joe including members of the Board of Trust- Hieke, Bruce Morden, and John Starr, ees, who obtain financial pledges from spon- Rich Thom has been elected President who traveled all the way from Ridgecrest sors, including area businesses, organiza- by the Board of Trustees at their January for the occasion. tions, members, families, and individuals. meeting. A member of the Board since Last year a record $13,000 was raised. 1995, Thom served as the organization’s sec- Money from the event is used not only to retary in 1999. An author and international 18th Spring Fundraiser Set underwrite general museum operations, but rail traveler, he is a frequent program con- For Saturday, May 20 also to sponsor the free rides on the day of tributor to the museum’s Continuing Lecture the Great Race, itself, and on other occasions The museum’s spring fundraiser cel- Series. Now retired, Thom was Director of during the year. ebrates its 18th anniversary on Sat., May 20. Technology for Raytheon Systems (formerly The museum is asking all members to It will be the fourth year in which the event SBRC). support the event by completing and return- will use a “Great Goleta Rail Race” theme. Other officers elected are Noel Langle, ing the enclosed donation form with a tax- Reminiscent of the tale of John Henry, Vice President; Jim Staples, Secretary; and deductible check or credit-card payment. All the Great Goleta Rail Race offers its own ver- Kip Kramer, Treasurer. All officers serve contributors, as well as those who secure sion of the epic struggle between human one-year terms. pledges for the event, will be acknowledged and machine, as the people-powered mu- In other action, the Board elected Pat on the Campaign 2000 List (See Page 3 story, seum handcar is pitted against the Goleta Lorentzen and Perry Lorentzen to two- “Gifts To Museum ... Gratefully Acknowledged”). Short Line miniature-train in a competition year terms as new trustees (see Page 1 story). Please come out on May 20 and join to determine which can complete the great- the fun! Mark the Great Goleta Rail Race date Retiring trustee Hilda Volkman was recognized for est number of passenger-miles over a on your calendar now. years of service at the holiday party in December in three-hour period. a presentation by incoming president Rich Thom. From 1 until 4 p.m. on race day, both the handcar and train will operate continu- “Candy Cane Train” Turns ously, giving free rides to all visitors. Race In Shining Performance officials will keep careful record of the to- tal passengers carried and the distance com- The 1999 Candy Cane Train was a huge pleted by each conveyance. success, easily eclipsing the results of the The Great Race winner will be based preceding year. Total ridership on the holi- on these totals, adjusted using a handicap day train reached 1,645, compared with based on the results from previous years (In 1,332 in 1998. the three earlier races, the train completed The absence of rain between Thanks- an average of 3.18 times as many passen- giving and Christmas contributed a lot to ger-miles as the handcar.). Each team also the event’s strong showing. Much credit also will be trying to break the all-time records goes to the Santa Barbara News-Press, which of 77.5 passenger-miles for the train and published an eye-catching Candy Cane Train 27.45 passenger-miles for the handcar. display advertisement more than a dozen Museum members, as well as the gen- times without charge to the museum. eral public, are invited to attend, to observe Laura Sweeney of Santa Barbara was the lucky the action and cheer on the participants, as winner in the Candy Cane Train drawing. well as to actively join in as rider-participants, themselves. At the event, you, your family members, and friends may throw your sup- “Super Saturday IV” Draws port behind either the handcar or train, sim- ply by riding that vehicle once or as often as Huge Crowd; Record Set you like; or, you may use the opportunity to The 4th Annual Super Saturday!, held Jan. enjoy the free rides on both the train and 29, generated the largest crowd in the his- handcar. All riders will receive a certificate tory of the event. In fact, the 300 free train acknowledging their Great Race participation. rides given that afternoon made it the busi- The museum’s normal, slow speeds will est single day at the museum in any year be maintained throughout the event. Train over the Nov.-Feb. period. riders must be at least 34 inches tall; the Deepest gratitude is expressed to our handcar ride has a 48-in. height requirement. five Super Saturday! sponsors: Cox Commu- In addition to the day’s fun, the Great nications; Friedlander & Associates Goleta Rail Race also has a serious side. The Insurance Services; Michael J. Gartzke, spring fundraiser is one of the railroad CPA; Mid-State Bank; and Timbers Res- museum’s most important annual income