Locals gather for the thirteenth annual central coast railroad festival

The San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum participated in the annual Central Coast Railroad Festival on Oct. 4-6. 

The festival showcased multiple demonstrations and activities that gave a closer look at the history of the Central Coast Railroad. 

“Well, there are so many people who just love trains and there are a lot of different aspects to trains,” Diane Marchetti, the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum manager, said. “There are some people who really love the big cars like we have outside on our display track, and then there are some people who love model trains.” 

Marchetti has participated in the festival for many years and has seen how the festival offers something fun for everyone. Locals and other visitors who attended were able to experience trains on the platform and interactive displays.

Rob Himoto, the president of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, has been a part of the festival since it began in 2010. This year he gave a presentation on the past of the railroad in the Central Coast region and explained how its unique history dictates the decisions he makes as a president.

“As president, we’re a small railroad so we kind of do a little bit of everything, administrative mainly,” Himoto said. “But we’re pretty much all cross-trained. Yesterday I helped run the train and do track work and signals, on top of all the administrative stuff and dealing with government regulators.” 

Himoto’s favorite part of the festival each year is talking with people who are interested in learning more about railroads.

“We just generally try to support the festival since, you know, as a railroad, a festival like this is really great to get people exposed to railroads,” Himoto said.