Try SugarSync and Help the Museum!

SugarSync is a terrific FREE application that can be used to:

** Synchronize folders or files that you select between two or more computers.

** Make backup copies of selected folders and files that are stored in a secure online location.

** Send large files from one person to another without having to use FTP or other difficult methods.

If you give SugarSync a try, the museum will receive 500mb of additional free storage for its account. You will receive 5.5GB of free storage yourself, which you can use from one or more computers. If you find that SugarSync isn't for you, just uninstall it. If you wait at least 24 hours before uninstalling, the museum will still be able to keep its extra storage space.

To try SugarSync -- and help the museum -- click here.

Thank you!
Gary B. Coombs, Ph.D., Director
South Coast Railroad Museum

AT&SF 3751 Gives Volunteers A Show At Union Station Event

Museum volunteers Rich Guske and Dave Morse, who staffed the Saturday afternoon shift at Amtrak's 40th Anniversary event Dec. 10-11 at Los Angeles Union Station, were treated to this special holiday performance courtesy of Santa Fe steam locomotive 3751 and the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society.

Ride Historic Vista Dome Car On June 2, 2012 Rail Excursion

The coastline views from Silver Splendor's dome
are spectacular, unmatched.

Santa Barbara area residents have a special  opportunity to ride a classic Vista Dome car on June 2, 2012, when the museum has chartered the historic Silver Splendor railcar for a one-day roundtrip along the Pacific Coast to San Luis Obispo. BUY TICKETS NOW

Vista Dome cars are famous for their graceful glass-enclosed rooftop observation rooms, which provide unparalleled views in all directions. Museum volunteer Ed Leska, who knows something about vintage-rail travel, explains: “Riding in the dome gives you the very best views of the coast and valleys!  You can see the ocean and the mountains, look forward and back without moving from your seat!”

Silver Splendor today

The museum group is limited to 48 passengers, so that everyone will be guaranteed seating in the 24-seat dome for one-half of the trip. Those making early reservations have first choice of riding in the dome either during the north- or southbound leg of the trip.

Passengers may board in either Santa Barbara or Goleta. Travel times are as follows: Depart Santa Barbara (SB) at 10:22 a.m. (Goleta 10:34). Arrive San Luis Obispo (SLO) at 1:00 p.m. Depart SLO at 1:55 p.m. Arrive SB at 4:32 p.m. (Goleta 4:17).

Tickets for the June 2 Silver Splendor excursion are only $75 for museum members; $79 for the general public. Soft drinks and light snacks are included. To make your reservations, call the museum any weekday afternoon at 805/964-3540.

The car's original name was Silver Buckle.

Built by the Budd Co. in 1956 as Chicago, Burlington & Quincy No. 4735, this stainless steel car raced between Chicago and Denver on a daily basis until 1980, the last nine years under Amtrak ownership. Originally named Silver Buckle, she was part of the last two complete conventional train sets to be ordered new in the pre-Amtrak era, traveling more than 4.5 million miles.

To learn more about Silver Splendor, please visit: http://heritagerailways.us/index.htm

African Iris Is Blooming!

The museum's African Iris (Dietes Vegeta) is now in bloom. It is located behind the Visitor Center, near the Goleta Short Line tracks.

For more information, and to see a map that shows its location, go to:

http://goletadepot.org/plants.php?plant=N

Ben's Always Ready To Lend A Hand

You couldn't ask for a better volunteer than Ben Torres. He helps with grounds care and has supervised our County SWAP workers on many occasions.

Ben is the husband of another museum volunteer, longtime Trails & Rails guide Bev Torres.

Aerial View Shows Museum Grounds' Features

These recent photographs from the air of Goleta Depot and the museum grounds does an exceptional job of showing the features of the property. To orient you, Los Carneros Road, visible on the left, runs almost due north/south. Goleta Depot, itself, is in the center. Also visible are the caboose, miniature-train tracks, Visitor Center, sidewalks, and many other features.



Click on the images, themselves, to view larger versions.
Volunteer Ed Leska found these gems for us to share.

Vista Dome Excursion Enjoyed By 47 Members & Others

"Conductor Bill" Hatrick greets boarding passengers.

The South Coast Railroad Museum organized a special rail excursion aboard the Vista dome car, Silver Splendor, which took place on Feb. 19.

Aboard for the one-day round-trip to San Luis Obispo were 47 museum members and others from the general public. The trip was part of the monthly vintage-rail program that the museum is conducting throughout 2011. Silver Splendor was included in the consist of Amtrak's midday Pacific Surfliner train to SLO.

There was much to see in all directions along the coast.

Museum members and photographers B. Marc Bradley and Lori Roper took these shots during the rail adventure.


To learn more about Silver Splendor, please visit this museum blog page:

http://goletadepot.blogspot.com/2010/11/museum-charters-silver-splendor-vista.html
or explore the Silver Splendor website: http://heritagerailways.us/index.htm

Passengers boarded in Santa Barbara or Goleta.

Views were great from below, too.	Wet return brought a rainbow.
Noel and Peggy Langle had fun.	Lori Roper and Conductor Bill.
John and Christie Green.	Ed Leska roams the lower level.

Photographer Bradley takes a break.