Santa Maria-area farmers can’t feed the world if their produce stays put. Since 1911, the Santa Maria Valley Railroad has served as the first leg of a journey regularly undertaken by all sorts of sweet reds and leafy greens from the local ag industry. The 14 miles of mainline track that make up the Santa Maria system connect to larger systems that span the nation, reach to the edges of the continent, and bring cargo to ports, from which fruits, vegetables, and other goods spread across the globe.
On July 31, Santa Maria Valley Railroad Company announced that Brian Wampler, former owner of the Mercedes Benz-focused Star Automotive, had been appointed chief mechanical officer of the rail company. His responsibilities include overseeing the signal department, as well as signal and equipment maintenance.
Wampler had already been serving as an advisory board member for Coast Belle Rail Corp., which is Santa Maria Valley Railroad’s parent organization, since 1997.
“Mr. Wampler understands our business inside and out,” Santa Maria Valley Railroad President Rom Himoto said in a press release.
The short-line railroad has an interchange with Union Pacific Railroad in Guadalupe and serves customers throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Its current customers include clients in the oil, lumber, frozen foods, industrial supply, construction, electric cable, propane, and other industries.
For more information, visit smvrr.com.
Executive Editor Ryan Miller compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send items for consideration to the Sun via fax, mail, or email.
