Goleta Valley Railroad

The Goleta Valley Railroad was the first railroad built by Seymour F. Johnson. It was located on the property of his home in Santa Barbara, California.

The track was later moved west of Santa Barbara to become the Goleta Valley Western Railroad.

Goleta Valley Railroad meanders around Johnson's home, complete with trestles, bridges and engine house

Harry Dixon wrote in The Miniature Locomotive, November-December 1954

Seymour F. Johnson, president of the Goleta Valley Line at Santa Barbara, California, has sent news that he expects to have his 1-1/2 inch scale road completed, along with signals and controlled switches, before the summer of 1955. Fellows, this is going to be some railroad, and I will give you more news and views, when completed.

Location

From edhat.com:

Some of the real old-timers may remember Johnson had first set up his trains by More Mesa when he lived at the west edge of Hope Ranch.

Seymour Johnson's property/train wasn't in Montecito. It was off Toro Canyon Road. Montecito ends on Ladera Lane, property on the left is Montecito, on right just Santa Barbara County.

Hidden Oaks Golf Club off Puente, off Hollister, used to be his property.

August 1956 Meet

The North American Live Steamer, Volume 1 Number 7, 1956

Story and Photos by Harry L. Dixon

The Goleta Valley Railroad Club was host to some 150 live steamers and friends to celebrate the first anniversary of the club's track at the home of Seymour F. Johnson, Santa Barbara, California.

Sunday, August 19, 1956 was a great day for live steam at this track. The pictures will give you some idea of the most wonderful garden railroad in the Pacific region, if not the entire country. At the present time there is 2500 fee of trackage of which there is 1440 feet for continuous operation. The balance is made up in a passing track, a wye for switching and passenger loading facilities as well as round house track for storing the engines and riding cars. The trestles and bridges are all made to scale and excellent detail throughout. The big trestle is 300 feet long and as you can see at a thrilling height, while at another section of the line there is a 50 foot trestle a little closer to the ground but designed and built to a 3% grade. This railroad is like a huge figure eight and winds through the lemon grove and under magnificent live oaks in addition to passing thru Mrs. Johnson's beautiful rose garden with the Santa Barbara mountains as a fitting background.

Ten stations are whistled up on the trip around, beside going over a bascule bridge, which opens electrically to allow you to pass through after coming off the long trestle.

There were six engines operating most of the time throughout the day, all of which performed in an excellent manner. It was an exceptional experience to see them working. Seymour Johnson was driving his Northern 4-8-4. This engine with tender weights 2000 pounds.

Ray Gifford's workmanship was shown in his 10 wheeler. Robin Smith had his 3 truck Shay fired up and pulled some heavy loads. Bob Harpur operated Little Engines C.P. Huntington with scale box car attached for riding. Dwight Durkee Jr. was able to give his 4-4-0 early American an excellent tryout with very satisfactory results, and member Doc Newton ran his diesel electric with speed and comfort to his passengers.

A very unique operating schedule was used a number of times during the day, with the use of the passing track. An East bound train could start out while a West bound train was loading passengers. After East bound made the circuit, West bound could start out over the big trestle and eventually meet the East bound train at the passing track with no delays. Each making the circuit in approximately 2-1/2 minutes. This operation required three switch men and a bridge tender.

It is planned for the coming year to add to the facilities another 1100 fee of track which will pass through a 200 foot tunnel to a 40 car parking lot.

There you will find a station house and spur tracks for unloading and loading locomotives for such gala events as this.

The Goleta Valley Railroad Club has only seven members but they are a going concern with a great amount of enthusiasm, headed up by Seymour himself. You have to be interested in 1-1/2 inch scale and 7-1/2 inch gauge to be eligible.

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  Gordon Corwin taking Seymour Johnson's 4-8-4 out of the yard.

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  Bob Harpur on the C.P. Huntington ready to go thru the open bridge.

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  Dwight Durkee Jr. at the throttle of his 4-4-0. His son Clark is the passenger.

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  Seymour with train going by passing track. The second passenger is Clark Durkee and the fifth passenger is Marion Durkee, the son and wife of Dwight Durkee Jr.

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  Ray Gifford of Southern California Live Steamers and 10 wheeler.

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  Doc Newton with his diesel electric on the 50 foot trestle.

August 1957 Meet

The North American Live Steamer, Volume 1 Number 10, October 1956

The Goleta Valley Railroad Club wishes to extend an invitation to all live steamers to attend the Golden SPike Annual Meet to be held at the home of Seymour F. Johnson at 4748 Vieja Drive, Santa Barbara, California.

The meet will take place Firday, Saturday and SUnday, August 2, 3 and 4, 1957. Those of you who have locomotives for 7-1/2 inch gauge are especially invited to bring them along. To make it more attractive to those coming from long distances, the Goleta Valley Railroad will make the track and equipment available from the Saturday preceding the run through the Sunday a week following the run. This will give those who wish a chance to enjoy runs by themselves before and after the meet.

We have all the necessary loading facilities, steaming tracks, turntables, water and air, electricity and storage space. You will enjoy the run over the 3,350 feet of track, trestles, cuts, tunnel etc., and will find it takes from five to eight minutes to make the complete circuit!!

Last year we had six engines operating during the meet and this year we anticipate many more.

Santa Barbara is a resort town in summer and perhaps you will want to spend some time here. If you will let the writer know in sufficient time he will help to arrange motel or hotel space for you. There are many nice motels but reservations should be in early.

Address any queries to the Golet Valley Railroad Club at the following address.

Seymour F. Johnson

4748 Vieja Drive

Santa Barbara, California

References

• Who Ever heard of a Diesel Engine?