"In The News" ... from the museum newsletter, The Depot Dispatch.

Volume 18 (ISSUES IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)

Welcome New Members - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

It is a pleasure to greet our newest museum members. They include Constance L. Allen, Dirk Kolff Breymann, Sylvelin Edgerton, Caron Garliepp, Randy Garliepp, Betty Mocker, Eva R. Scheel, Lynn Smith, Ellen Somdahl and Leonard Somdahl. New Junior Engineers Club members are Peter Chaconas and Ryan Hall.

Welcome one and all!

$12,000 Received From Santa Barbara Foundation - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

The Santa Barbara Foundation has awarded the museum a $12,000 capital-enhancement grant. These funds will be applied toward the grounds project begun in the spring. These improvements include the new entrance, group-picnic area, additional post-and-rail fencing, and paved walkways between the depot and miniature-train boarding area. Combined with $20,059 in funds previously received from the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation, and La Vista Foundation for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Santa Barbara Foundation award will allow the museum to complete all remaining elements of the grounds project.

Birthdays Celebrated On Museum Grounds - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

The new group area has been receiving quite a workout since its spring completion. Birthday parties continue to be one of the most popular uses for all of the picnic tables distributed about the grounds.

Celebrating recent birthdays with parties at the museum include Madera Calderwood, Joshua Cox, Nolan Fewell, and Logan Michaels (in Sept.); Richard Gonzales (in Oct.); and Peter Chaconas, Lucas Derflinger, and Ryan Hall (in Nov.).

The new area also was used in October by The Nature Girls, a senior women's group.

Book Closes On Youth Summer Reading Program - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

Another year of museum participation in the Summer Reading Program of the Santa Barbara Public Libraries came to a successful close on Sept. 26.

In recognition of their reading achievement, every child who completed the program, by reading 15 or more books, received a coupon good for a free ride on the Goleta Short Line for themselves plus one friend or family member. The museum's participation in this year's reading program was made possible by the generous financial support of Mid-State Bank.

A record 2,300 children fulfilled the 15-book requirement this year, according to Library Director Carol L. Keator. More than 346 free rides were given by the museum as its contribution in support of reading excellence.

The program is open to children ages 2-14 throughout most of Santa Barbara County, including Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Montecito, and Solvang.

Wood-Claeyssens Awards Foundation Grant - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

The museum has received a grant from the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation. The $1,500 award will be used to replace several outmoded pieces of equipment, including the museum's ancient refrigerator. The money will also allow us to purchase computer software to help manage the museum's collections of railroad artifacts, memorabilia, books, and other printed materials.

Caboose Stove Donated By Out-Of-Town Visitor - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

A caboose stove has been donated to the museum by Denise Powell. A resident of Bakersfield, Ms. Powell has been a frequent visitor to our museum.

The stove has been installed in the Waiting Room, replacing a replica pot-bellied stove that has occupied the west side of the room for more than a decade. Frank Dziuba made the necessary modifications so that the existing stovepipe could accommodate the antique stove. Proper positioning of the stove was based on historical photographs and architectural remnants, which reveal where Goleta Depot's chimneys and vent pipes were originally located (see stove photo on page 4).

Caboose stoves were commonly used in railroad depots. The cast-iron appliances can be distinguished from domestic pot-bellied stoves by the absence of legs. Instead, the belly of a caboose stove was bolted directly to the floor of the rail car. This design lowered the stove's center of gravity, improving its stability - a characteristic that could be especially important in a rapidly decelerating caboose.

Welcome New Volunteers - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

Volunteers are a indispensable part of the museum. We are indeed fortunate that so many friends care enough to give their time to keep the museum open and available to the public.

Many others have been responding to the museum's on-going plea for more volunteer participation. It is a pleasure to greet the new volunteers who are now hosting visitors at the museum. They include Stacey Lydon, Betty Mocker, and Pat and Perry Lorentzen. New applicants for the Coast Starlight Program include Constance Allen, Dirk Breymann, Caron Garliepp, Randy Garliepp, Kathleen McDermott, Thomas McDermott, Mary Lee Sanders, Eva Scheel, Lynn Smith, Ellen Somdahl, and Leonard Somdahl,

Board Chooses Officers For 1999 Terms - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

At its Nov. 11 meeting, the Board of Trustees elected officers for the coming year. They include Noel Langle, president; Rich Thom, secretary; and John Locke, treasurer.

Member Giving Sought For Funding Campaign - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

During 1999, everyone who makes a financial contribution to the museum will be included on a donors list which will be displayed throughout the year in the new entrance area during museum hours.

The list will first appear in January and will include all gifts made since the start of the fiscal year, Oct. 1. Periodic list updates during the year will ensure that new donors are also acknowledged.

Persons making donations before the end of 1998 will be included on the initial donors list and every list revision, as well as receiving their usual tax-deduction for the current tax year.

Those readers whose memberships are now up for renewal may include their qualifying contribution with their dues payment. Other members are receiving a separate donor's card and return envelope for this purpose.

The Board of Trustees decided to create this donors list as part of a new Annual Campaign, designed both to ensure that all contributors are properly recognized and to better unify museum fundraising. The Board has set $25,000 as the fundraising target for the year.

"I urge all members and museum friends to join me and my fellow trustees in this important effort," said president-elect Noel Langle. "Your gift will allow the museum to prosper and grow, with valuable new activities like the Coast Starlight Interpretive Program begun this year, and to successfully meet challenges such as the El Niņo assault of 1998."

Members Join In Amtrak Station Opening - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

Scores of museum members were in attendance for the long-awaited opening on Saturday, Sept. 19 of the Goleta Amtrak station. The event included a South Coast Railroad Museum information booth, staffed by trustees Noel Langle and Rich Thom.

The highlight of the opening ceremony was the inaugural train, which carried hundreds of event attendees on a round-trip ride to Santa Barbara, compliments of Amtrak.

A much smaller number - all museum members - took advantage of the opportunity to ride the train out from Santa Barbara before the opening ceremony, a special treat for members that was announced in the previous Depot Dispatch issue. Among those in the museum party were Gene Allen; Kari, Robert and Ben Adams; Kip and Stella Kramer; Ed Leska; Bruce Morden; Nancy Reid; Museum Director Gary Coombs; and Assistant Director Phyllis Olsen.

The group received the royal treatment from Amtrak during that first short trip to Goleta, including exclusive use of the Pacific-Class car, champagne to toast the occasion, and other food and beverages.

Above all, it was a great feeling to know that, after more than 30 years, a Goleta train station was open for business once again!

Holiday Gifts Available At Trackside Shop - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

You won't find a better place than the museum's Trackside Shop for gift ideas for those rail fans and history buffs on your holiday gift list. We have a great selection of books, educational toys and games, videos, T-shirts and specialty items.

And, of course, every purchase that you make helps to keep the museum on track! You will need your membership card to receive your 10% discount, good on everything that you buy!

Goleta Valley Paint Lends Museum A Big Hand - (Vol. 18, No. 4 - Winter 98-99)

The railroad museum has long benefitted from the generosity of Steve and Colleen Ozab, owners of Goleta Valley Paint. For years, the store has donated paint and paint supplies for various projects around the museum and grounds.

Recent donations have included primer and top-coat for the new shed, several gallons to repaint the picnic tables, and a premium latex for touch-up of the historical landmark, itself.

The museum is indebted to the Ozabs for all of their help, in 1998 and in years past.

Goleta Amtrak Grand Opening Will Be Sept. 19 - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

The weekend of Sept. 19-20 has been earmarked for the opening of Goleta's new Amtrak station. The opening ceremony is scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday the 19th. Revenue service will commence the following day. with the departure of Train 774 from Goleta at approximately 7 a.m., bound for San Diego and intermediate points.

Plans for the grand opening are still being formulated, but those in attendance should be treated to a few extra touches beyond the standard fare found at the typical station opening.

Amtrak and CalTrans have approved the South Coast Railroad Museum's suggestion that the inaugural ceremony include free train rides for the general public between Santa Barbara and Goleta. Amtrak plans to use its existing San Diegan schedule and equipment for this purpose. People will be able to come to the opening from Santa Barbara with a free ride aboard Train 759, which is scheduled to arrive in Goleta about 12 noon, and then return free on Train 792 about 1:40 p.m., after the ceremony has concluded. Or, Goleta attendees can enjoy a roundtrip to Santa Barbara, riding down on Train 792, then coming back on Train 773 at about 2 p.m.

The opening ceremony will also feature live music, food, drawings and giveaways, testimonials, and a ribbon-cutting featuring the Train 792 equipment.

Starlight Guides Going Strong; Program Reopens For Volunteer Applicants - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

Implementation of the museum's interpretive program aboard Amtrak's Coast Starlight train is now well under way. Program volunteers began assuming the responsibilities of narrator and lounge guide in June, and are now organizing their own guide teams, and usually traveling without staff supervision.

We have now conducted the program more than 20 times between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, serving a total audience of perhaps 1,000 or more train passengers. One of the most rewarding aspects of the program is the audience, which can include rail travelers from across the nation and around the world.

The program narrative covers the natural and cultural history of the area, and things to do along the way. Point Conception, the Santa Barbara Channe l Islands, and Vandenberg Air Force Base are just a few of the special points of interest encountered during the program.

Museum narrators tell about the modern country estates of the Hollister Ranch, and about Cementerio, where the Southern Pacific Railroad finally "closed the gap" that had left the S.P.'s Coast Route incomplete for more than a decade at the end of the 19th century. Passengers also learn about the wildlife of land, sea, and air that are commonly seen from the Coast Starlight trains, and about the tragedy at Honda, site of one of the worst peacetime disasters in the history of the U.S. Navy.

New applications for the guide program are now being accepted once more (The volunteer program had been closed since the end of 1997.). Persons interested in becoming Coast Starlight guides should contact the museum office and request an application packet. New guide-trainees can expect their training to include both meetings and on-the-job experience aboard the Coast Starlight, working with museum staff and current guides, beginning in late October.

Sponsors of the interpretive program include California State Parks, Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau, and Santa Barbara County Parks.

Museum Grounds Projects Near Completion - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

Work is almost finished on the various improvements to the museum grounds that were begun this past spring. The new entrance, sidewalks, fencing, and group-picnic area all are finished - save for some signage and railings for step and ramp areas. We have received many positive comments from visitors about the changes, especially the entrance, which pays tribute to Goleta Depot with its matching color scheme and reminiscent architecture.

The entrance also honors Goleta's other, 19th century railroad stations at La Patera and Ellwood. Riders on the Goleta Short Line now see two station signboards atop the entrance roof - one that proclaims "La Patera" to outbound trains and another, "Ellwood" signboard that can be viewed from returning trains.

The grounds-improvement work is being funded by grants from the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation, and La Vista Foundation for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

The museum is seeking an additional $12,800, also in foundation grants, to complete the project.

Free Rides Given July 18; Nov. 7 is Next Free Day - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

Saturday, July 18 marked the museum's third day of free miniature-train rides for the general public in 1998. A combined total of 163 free rides were given on the train and handcar.

The day was made possible by more than 160 museum members and supporters who contributed to the Great Goleta Rail Race fundraiser, held in May.

The final free-ride day for 1998 will be Saturday, Nov. 7 - also made possible by our generous Great Race donors.

Toy Trains & Teddy Bears Needed For Holiday Display - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

The museum's annual Toy Trains and Teddy Bears! holiday display opens Nov. 27 and will continue into early January. Dozens of museum members, trustees, employees, volunteers, and friends help to make this festive exhibition possible each year by loaning stuffed animals and toy locomotives and rail cars to share with our visitors in the display.

Each year we try to increase the number of keepsakes that are displayed and always hope to include both new items and new members of the museum family. If you would like to add your own personal touch to this year's display, please contact the museum office (964-3540), any weekday afternoon, or leave a message with your name and phone number.

Welcome New Members - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

It is a great pleasure to welcome the latest additions to the museum family. They include Karen and Charley Burgett, Arthur Chard, Carlos Levi, and Mark Vehrencamp.

New Junior Engineers Club members are Myles Adams, Taryn Adams, Alejandro Chavez, Jr., Colleen Sweeney, James Sweeney, and Michael Van Wickle. Welcome one and all!

A Final Slap From El Niņo - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

In the last Depot Dispatch issue, it was reported that much volunteer effort had gone into attempts to save one of the pepper trees that had toppled over in an El Niņo storm early in the year. At the time, it appeared that these valiant efforts had been successful.

Sadly, we must now report that this tree also has been lost.

Jr. Engineers Celebrate With July Party - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

The 6th annual Junior Engineers Club Party was held on Thursday, July 16. Club members in attendance included Robert Adams, Ben Adams, Vaughn Anderson, Daniel Hughes, Jay Larinan, Steven Hirschberg, Bjorn Lensander, Nicholas Lensander, Israel Carpenter, Christian Carpenter, Lane Fuller, and Jake Hirsch. Many members also brought family and friends to join in the festivities.

Attendees were treated to unlimited free rides on the Goleta Short Line, along with special showings of Thomas The Tank Engine videos, and some delicious refreshments, including a festive Junior Engineers cake and cupcakes.

Goleta Beautiful Donates Replacement Trees - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

Goleta Beautiful has donated two five-gallon pepper trees to replace specimens lost during one of last winter's most severe El Niņo storms. The trees have been planted in the vicinity of the original trees, near the miniature-train boarding area and group-picnic area.

Goleta Beautiful is the local nonprofit group that spearheaded the successful effort to save Goleta Depot during the early 1980s. The organization's depot preservation committee was chaired by Gary Coombs (now SCRM director) and included Assistant Director Phyllis Olsen and longtime museum volunteer Gene Allen, together with George Adams and Raymond Baird, both deceased.

Steaming Summer ... Simply Stupendous - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

The 12th Annual Another Steaming Summer, held Aug. 1-2 at the museum, had something for just about everyone.

This year's circus theme - a Steaming Summer first - was enormously popular. People clamored for a chance to ride on the "circus train," which included four 7-1/2-inch gauge circus cars (complete with animals sounds) from the collection of Ted Cheesman. To reinforce the effect, a number of additional circus-train cars were also on hand, on static display. Visitors marveled at the workmanship and attention to detail evident in this unique assemblage of miniature-train equipment.

Ken Weber did a great job of continuing the circus motif into the model railroad exhibit, where dozens of his HO-scale circus-train cars were kept in motion or on static display throughout the two-day event. For those who missed Steaming Summer, Ken's circus-train equipment will remain on display in the model-railroad exhibit through Depot Day, Sept. 27.

Gene Allen put together one of the best collections of visiting equipment in the history of Steaming Summer. Steam locomotives that pulled passenger-carrying trains during the event included Gene's own coal-burning 4-4-0 American, Ed Winnewisser's 0-6-0 switch-engine, a pair of 2-6-0 moguls owned by Bill Hoey and Michael Zuker, and another 4-4-0 American operated by Jay Carsman.

Other visiting 1-1/2"-scale engines included a Climax geared logging locomotive, two electric "Little Mack" helper locomotives. Also on hand were the museum's own 4-4-0 American and both of our S.P. diesels, which spent most of the weekend in an unusual way - gladly resting on the sidelines.

Art and Barbara Reiter were also here to share their 1"-scale wrecking train, featuring an operating steam-powered wrecker.

Jim Higman kept his tabletop display of miniature stationary steam engines and steam-driven tools and devices operating, using power from Jim Marchiando's steam plant. Young and old enjoyed sounding the various steam whistles that are an integral part of Jim's wood-burning contraption.

Total ridership for the two days reached 1,021 - the third consecutive year in which more than 1,000 rides were given during Steaming Summer. The weekend's 301 handcar rides was a Steaming Summer record.

Special thanks are owed to everyone who helped to make this year's event such a success. Assisting the equipment owners with the train- ride operations were Brendon Hoey, Steve Kramer, Bob Mowry, Dan O'Brien, Lavonne Sanchez, and Kenneth Shaner. Members of the Goleta Lions Club, ably organized by Jack Rutten and Tom Tucker, were hard at work throughout the event, barbecuing and selling hot sandwiches. A debt of gratitude is owed to the regular docent-volunteers who put in valuable extra staffing time over the weekend: Joel Bingham, Ed Leska, Bruce Morden, Hilda Volkman, and Carolyn Weber. Members of the Board of Trustees who helped out, at the admissions table and on the handcar, included John Locke, Noel Langle, and Rich Thom. To protect the equipment left on the grounds, Bruce Morden and Michael Morden camped over at the museum on Friday night.

Finally, a very special thank you to event sponsor Toyota of Santa Barbara and owner Denny Franks for their generous financial support again this year!

Groups Tour Landmark - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

A number of groups have made recent visits to the museum, touring the historical landmark under the guidance of Asst. Director Phyllis Olsen. These include kindergartners from Santa Barbara YMCA, ladies and gentlemen from the Santa Maria Senior Travel Group and Vista Del Monte retirement community, two groups from the First Presbyterian Church Preschool, and another two groups from Franklin Children's Center.

South Coast youth groups also receive free train rides, compliments of Cox Communications, as part of their tour experience.

Memorial Gifts Received - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

A donation in memory of Ernest Thomsen has been received from John Marshall Starr. Nellie Casselman has made a gift to the museum endowment in memory of her late husband, Bev Casselman.

Ernie Thomsen and Bev Casselman were longtime volunteers and supporters of the museum.

Museum Hosts Birthdays - (Vol. 18, No. 3 - Fall '98)

Those celebrating recent birthdays with parties on the museum grounds include Steven Hirschberg, Sam Katz, and Alex Ozdemir (in June); Willie Butler, Justin Hart, Daniel Plaisted, Colin Rohm, and Dana Walker (in July); and Cameron Coyne, Joshua Goldwasser, Ethan Harter, Rory Urschel, and Michael Van Wickle (in August).

Interpretive Program On Coast Starlight Begins (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

Despite a rocky start, including several trip cancellations due to excessive train delays, the guide-training phase of the Coast Starlight interpretive program is now well underway.

A total of nine training trips were completed through the end of May. The program was tested successfully on May 12, with Museum Director Gary Coombs serving as narrator and Assistant Director Phyllis Olsen interacting with passengers in the lounge car's upper level. The program was repeated on May 19 and 26 and will be a part of all future trips. The volunteers will participate in the program presentation beginning in June.

The program covers the area between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, and the museum's onboard guides share the area's natural, cultural, and historical sites and points of interest with Coast Starlight passengers.

Sponsors of the interpretive program include California State Parks, Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau, and Santa Barbara County Parks.

And the (Great Goleta Rail Race) Results Are In! (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

The second annual Great Goleta Rail Race was held Saturday, May 16. The race began promptly at 1 p.m., whistled to a thrilling start by Assistant Director Phyllis Olsen. The miniature-train was operated throughout the competition by Joel Bingham and Museum Director Gary Coombs, with Olsen providing occasional relief as conductor. The handcar crew included Trustees Noel Langle and Bill Parker.

The handcar was declared this year's winner, although the judge's decision has been challenged. The dispute arose when it was revealed that the miniature train actually received a higher score based on one of the two handicaps calculated from last year's results, edging out the handcar by a razor-thin one-tenth of a rider-mile.

The judge went with the handcar in his split-decision, however, since, based on the second handicap, the people-powered conveyance beat the train soundly, by more than seven rider-miles. It looks as if the race results will remain in dispute, perhaps until next year's competition clarifies the issue!

In combination, the train and handcar carried 481 total riders (passengers and crew), logging more than 99 rider-miles over the three hour span. The train completed 23 trips, two more than in 1997, while the handcar finished 62 repetitions of its 488-foot course.

The general public as well as museum members took part in this year's event, by riding one or more times on the handcar, train, or both. It was a day of unlimited free rides for all museum visitors, made possible by about 150 supporters who made spring-fundraiser pledges. Special certificates, proclaiming "I Survived the Great Goleta Rail Race," were available on the day to all race participants.

Goal Met, Record Set In Spring Fundraiser (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

The Great Goleta Rail Race is not only a day of fun and free rides. It's also the museum's spring fundraiser. In this latter role, everyone went home a winner.

This year's goal was $10,000 and contributions have already exceeded that figure, reaching $10,321, with pledges still being reported (see accompanying sponsor list). This is the largest amount ever raised in the 17-year history of the spring fundraiser.

The spring appeal is one of the railroad museum's most important annual income sources, producing more than 10% of all monies needed for operations. Money from the event is also used to sponsor three days of free miniature-train rides during 1998, including the Great Race day, itself, plus two additional free days, on July 18 and Nov. 7.

All event sponsors making gifts of $10 or more are being acknowledged in the list of Great Goleta Rail Race supporters, which is prominently displayed at the museum before and during each of the three free days. A reduced-size copy of the sponsor's list has been included in this mailing to members.

Donations Still Sought (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

It's not too late to earn a spot on the Great Goleta Rail Race sponsors list. Just use the accompanying donation form, to make a contribution of $10 or more, or to add to a donation you have already made. The listing is tiered, with larger gifts acknowledged toward the top of the listing.

Please help the museum and "get on the list" with your tax-deductible gift.

Welcome New Members (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

We are pleased to welcome new museum members Jim Harasta, David Humphreys, James and Susan Petrovich, and Jack Reith. New Junior Engineers Club members are Steven A. Hirschberg, Garrett Humphreys, Nicky Newman, Justin Palmer, Ryan Stanchfield, and John Paul Tipich III. It's great to have all of you aboard!

Storms Subside, Recovery Begins (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

It's beginning to feel as if the onslaught of winter and spring storms is finally over. Sunny days are back and thousands of California poppies and nasturtiums are blooming around the museum grounds. Regrettably, despite the improved weather, the museum still hasn't recovered its full audience, based on a comparison of visitor data from previous years at this time of year.

Principally through the efforts of Gene Allen and Noel Langle, we've been able to right the pepper tree that came precariously close to toppling over back in February. Gene also plans to try and save two of the peppers that did fall during the same rainstorm that brought gale-force winds to the area.

Goleta Depot Featured In Student Film (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

Janet Howard, a graduate student in the film program at the University of Southern California is using Goleta Depot as the principle location for her master's thesis film.

The 12-minute short subject, entitled Vanishing Point, deals with the interactions of people waiting at a train station. Most of the filming is taking place during late afternoon and evening hours. A crew of about two dozen, including actors and production staff, were on hand during the main shooting dates, May 9-11. The film will be in post-production for several more months, according to Howard.

Caboose Repositioned (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

The museum's caboose has been moved about eight feet to the north. Although the distance may not seem like much, this repositioning has had an important effect for the museum and its visitors, primarily by providing a less obstructed view of Goleta Depot's handsome facade. The caboose interior is still accessible from the ramp at the northwest corner of the depot loading dock.

The caboose move was completed by a work crew that included Noel Langle and Kip Kramer. They also used the opportunity to improve the safety railing at the caboose entry.

In early 1997, County SWAP workers under the direction of Gene Allen added a 22-foot extension to the north end of the depot house- track where the caboose has resided for more than a decade. The track was lengthened, in part, to provide room for the caboose repositioning. The rail and some of the ties for the earlier project were obtained by donation in the late 1980s. The track materials came from the old Sears Warehouse spur, west of La Patera Lane, where the new Goleta Amtrak station is located.

Museum Receives Gift of Utility Building (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

A 10x13-foot utility building has been donated to the museum by Sally Bennett of Goleta. Gene Allen has taken on the responsibility of assembling the building, which is being placed in the eucalyptus trees adjacent to the shed that houses the handcar and miniature-train equipment. The building will be used for garden tools and general storage.

Memorial Gifts Received (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

A donation in memory of Reuel K. Brown has been received from his daughter, Ann Garcia of Carpinteria. The museum has received additional donations in memory of Ernest Thomsen from Bruno and Phyllis Mautino and George and Helen Potter.

Rescheduled Bunny Event Draws Smaller Crowd (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

The rains of early 1998 have done the museum in once again. This time, it was the Easter Bunny Express that fell victim. Due to rain, the event had to be rescheduled to April 18, drawing a crowd estimated to be about one-third less than the usual 1,000 attendees. Planners were aware that the event would probably lose much of its attraction once Easter had passed, but there was little choice but to proceed given the importance of the event to annual museum fundraising.

A special thank you is owed to everyone who helped on the day. Members of the Goleta Lions Club, organized by Jack Rutten and Tom Tucker, managed the food booth. Representatives from the Dos Pueblos High School Interact Club, including Zeynep Gunday, Lauren Tanaka, Tyler Fredrickson, Jeff Frost, KK Holland, Luke James, and Katie Tobin, helped in several areas. Country Meat Market donated the lemonade served to ticket-holders at the "Harvey's House" station.

Kari Adams put on the Easter Bunny suit this year, when perennial Bunny Bob Burtness was unavailable on the make-up date due to a prior commitment. Barbara Cornish and Ellyn Roberts served as Bunny Helpers. Other volunteers on the day included Ken Becker, Joel Bingham, Maurice Caler, Mary Cole, Noel Langle, Peggy Langle, John Locke, Jim Moyer, Bill Parker, Elsie Pliha, Margaret Pryde, John Sanchez, Judy Savage, Hannah Savage, and Hilda Volkman.

Neal Graffy Shares The Arlington Saga (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

Local lecturer and historian Neal Graffy presented Two Hotels and a Theater: A History of the Arlingtons, on May 20 at Goleta Library. The program was the latest installment of the railroad museum's Continuing Lecture Series and marks the fifth time that Graffy has spoken to a museum group, going back to 1993.

The audience was treated to a fascinating narrative and an extraordinary collection of rare historical photographs and other images spanning more than a century.

Goleta Rail Station Work Continues! (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

It looks as if this will be the last Depot Dispatch to announce that Goleta's new Amtrak station remains unfinished. Even the most conservative estimates now place the completion date before July 31.

Bad weather continued to plague the project well into May. Installation of the switch by Union Pacific Railroad crews, for example, was delayed several weeks due to unexpected rains in late April.

Plans are still in place for the museum to play a principle role in the station grand opening, in cooperation with Amtrak, CalTrans, and the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to watch the newspapers and broadcast media, or call the museum, for information and scheduling of the event.

Museum Director Gary Coombs continues writing a column for the Goleta Valley Voice, the community's weekly newspaper, leading up to the station opening. The seventh article in the series, published May 20, deals with the Coast Mail, the last local train to serve our area.

When the Coast Mail was discontinued on May 20, 1965, it marked the last time that a train stopped for passengers at Goleta. Thus, the new station will resume a tradition that came to an end at Goleta Depot more than 33 years ago.

Museum Grounds Projects Move Forward (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

The County Park Dept. completed construction of the museum's new group-picnic and birthday party area in March. The area is surfaced with decomposed granite and includes one eight-foot table and one 16-foot table with provision for wheelchairs. The work was done under contract with the County Park Dept., with grant funds from the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation, and La Vista Foundation for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

A portion of these same funds are also being used for the museum's new entry structure and the resurfacing of the walkways to the miniature-train boarding area and picnic area. These grant funds also were used for additional post-and-rail fencing work, completed in March. Schipper Construction is handling the entry and walkway work, which should be finished in early June.

Mid-State Bank Supports Museum/Library Program (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

The railroad museum is again participating in the Summer Reading Program of the Santa Barbara Public Libraries, thanks to the generous support of Mid-State Bank.

Last year's program, sponsored by the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge, was a huge suc- cess. More than 2,100 train-ride certificates were distributed to those children who completed the program by reading 15 or more books. Participating libraries include Santa Barbara (both Central and Eastside), Goleta, Solvang, Carpinteria, Montecito, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Lompoc, and even the Bookmobile!

The South Coast Railroad Museum has been involved in the summer library reading program since 1987.

Volunteers Still Needed (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

The museum continues to experience a shortage of volunteers, especially shop clerks, depot agents, and miniature-train crew members.

Many of our volunteers are generously giving extra hours each month to fill the gap. During March, April, and May, for example, additional hours beyond the basic monthly requirement were staffed by all of the following volunteers: Gene Allen, Joel Bingham, Edee Brown, Al Jaramillo, Ed Leska, Bruce Morden, Tom Pollock, Margaret Pryde, and Hilda Volkman.

Please consider joining this wonderful corps of dedicated members. If you have at least one afternoon (only about three hours) available per month to give to your museum and would like to share our wonderful historical landmark and activities with museum guests, please give Assistant Director Phyllis Olsen a call at 964-3540. She will be happy to tell you more about the rewards and benefits of the museum's volunteer program.

Volunteer docents are critical to many of the activities and services that our visitors enjoy. Some volunteers are engineers, conductors, and crew on the Goleta Short Line miniature-train and museum handcar. Others are clerks in the Trackside Shop, operate the Gandy Dancer Theater, or share Goleta Depot and the model railroad exhibit with our guests.

Goleta National Bank Gives Free Rides for Dads (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

On Father's Day, Sunday, June 21, all dads visiting the museum will be treated to free rides on the Goleta Short Line, compliments of Goleta National Bank. Trains will run continuously beginning at 1:15, with the last train pulling out of the station promptly at 3:45.

The complimentary tickets may be picked up in advance at Goleta National Bank's office at 5827 Hollister Ave., or in Goleta Depot's Waiting Room, during event hours only. Tickets, at $1 each, will also be available during the event for other family members and the general public.

Goleta National Bank has sponsored every "Free Rides For Dads" since the event was started back in 1994.

Computer Companies Donate Software (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

Two software manufacturers recently have donated products to the railroad museum. From Carpinteria-based MetaCreations, the museum has received a copy of "Kai's Photo Soap." Micrografx has donated "Picture Publisher 8."

The museum is already using both of these products for a variety of purposes including preparation of photographic and other illustrations for inclusion in both museum exhibitions and our internet web site, as well as for archiving and repairing some of the historical images in the museum's photographic collection.

Director Is Railway Conference Presenter (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

Museum Director Gary Coombs served on the faculty of the 10th Annual Railway Preservation Symposium, held March 20-22 at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. Gary's duties included both panel participation and a formal presentation, which focused on the South Coast Railroad Museum as an example of professionalism in a small-museum context.

The event drew more than 100 representatives from railway museums and other railway-preservation organizations from throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Groups Tour Landmark (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

Recent school tours of the historical landmark and museum have included visits by three Hollister Elementary School 5th-grade classes, one Hollister School 3rd-grade class, and a Special Education group, ages 5-8, from Honica School in Buellton.

Upcoming tour groups include Santa Barbara Christian School, Santa Maria Senior Travel Group, kindergartners from Santa Barbara YMCA, First Presbyterian Church Preschool, and two groups from Franklin Children's Center.

Museum Hosts Birthdays (Vol. 18, No. 2 - Summer '98)

Those celebrating recent birthdays with parties at the museum include Keith Avery, Newton Cutcliffe, Jack Damen, Andrew Leicht, Jacob Moghtader, Nicky Neumann, Justin Palmer, Tyler Smith, Cole Smith, David Solis, and Catherine Zaccaglin.