About the Southern California Railway Museum

History

What was it that caused fourteen young members of the SC/ERA, the Southern California Division Of The Electric Railroaders’ Association, to step forward in the early 1950s and focus on the preservation of electric rail interurbans and streetcars for the purpose of eventually creating an operating museum? In a sentence, “their world was slipping away”. The SC/ERA was formed in 1950 to give organizational form to rail fans who were primarily interested in red cars and yellow cars of the local transit operations.

Buses were replacing Red Car and Yellow Car lines. Before long red cars were stacked four high at National Metal and Steel’s scrap yard on Terminal Island along with rows of yellow cars. The last of the “Last Runs” were playing out. It was time for the equipment preservation conscious members of SC/ERA to form a separate organization with the purpose of establishing an operating trolley museum. Fourteen members of SC/ERA gathered in the home of Ronald Longworth on the evening of March 23rd, 1956 to discuss such an organization. At that meeting they chose the name Orange Empire Traction Company, adapting the name of an early Pacific Electric excursion through the inland empire of San Bernardino, Redlands and Riverside. At the first meeting, Pat Underwood was elected president, Jim Walker was selected as secretary and Dick Burns became treasurer.

On June 10th, 1956, at the home of Jim Walker in Lynwood, the group adopted articles of incorporation. Three members who were at least 21 years old and thereby eligible to sign a legal document signed the document. Those members were Richard H. Burns, Norman K. Johnson and Patrick L. Underwood. The signatures were notarized by Jim’s father, Jim Walker, Sr.

A little over a month later, on July 20th, 1956, the State of California granted a charter of incorporation as a non-profit educational organization to the Orange Empire Traction Company. It was granted corporation number 324213. The museum was officially in business.

Officers

Michael Vargas

President/CEO

Hank Winn

Vice President/Chief Operating Officer/General Manager

Michael Brown

Chief Financial Officer

Heather Garcia

Corporate Secretary

Management & Leadership

It takes many people to keep the Museum functioning. There are six divisions that manage and lead its operations. You are encouraged to contact any of the managers or leaders shown below to volunteer in an area that interests you.

Administration

Railway Operations

Railway Vehicle Maintenance

Visitor Experience

Collections

Plant

Board of Directors

Southern California Railway Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation governed by a member-elected board of directors. Elections are held each year in January.

Chuck Painter, Chairman of the Board, Member #2808 (2028)

Member since 1989. He is the project manager of the AT&SF 60; he also worked on the 108 project. Chuck is an active participant in the Special Events Committee and participates in Museum Special Events. He is the scriptwriter and storyteller on the Thomas Train and was the backup entertainment on the Santa Train. He rewrote the new Operator’s Guides for the Pacific Electric and L.A Railway Collections. He serves on the Endowment Committee. He designed and installed new exhibit signage in Carhouse 4 and Cottonwood Station. Chuck is a frequent contributor to the Gazette. Chuck is the president of his own stock brokerage and investment advisory firm.

Chuck Tobin, Vice Chairman of the Board #3628 (2026)

Rod Fishburn, Member #365-L (2026)

Member since 1965. He is the curator of the Museum’s rail vehicle collection and manager of electric vehicle maintenance. His goals as a member of the Museum’s Board include: increasing SCRM’s presence as a valued member of the Perris community, supporting the expansion of our Museum and educational mission for the education and enjoyment of our visitors, increasing our volunteer recruitment efforts, and expanding our volunteer base. Rod is a retired electrical engineer who worked for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Ryan Gallaher, Member #9014 (2026)

Member since 2013. Over the past several years, Ryan has been heavily involved in the railway operating department assisting in weekend operations and at all major fundraising events. In May of 2018, he was appointed as Division Manager of Operations and have made many improvements to the department. These improvements include updating training programs and procedures, increasing and improving critical documentation, and increased coordination between all museum departments. In addition to Ryan’s duties as Division Manager, he assists in track inspection and maintenance as well as running maintenance for our passenger cars and Light Rail Vehicles. Lastly, Ryan has helped with the engineering updates and coordination efforts for the Perris Connection Project.

Zeke Hastings, Member #3022L (2027)

Member since 1991. He has held three terms as a Director. He has been Vice President of Plant, Special Projects Manager, and a member of the Endowment Committee. Zeke is a retired aircraft mechanic who devotes much of his life to the Museum, spending most of his time with plant and track improvements.

Bill Lamb, Member #1479F (2027)

Member since 1977. Bill has been an active member of the steam crew for 40 years. He is a qualified fireman and engineer on the VC-2 and is a qualified engineer on all our operating diesel locomotives. Bill served as the Museum’s CFO from October 2011 to December 2012 and is a former member of the Finance Committee. Bill serves on the Audit Committee and has taken on the task of sending out personal thank-you notes to those who donate to the Perris Connection project. He represents the Museum at the Perris City Council each month. He works to maintain trees and control weeds in front of Carhouse 4. Bill is retired from the City of Los Angeles Controller’s Office where he was assistant general manager.

Phil Palmieri, Member #831 (2028)

Gary Starre, Member #675 (2027)

Gary Starre has been an active member since August 1969. Trolley Operator, Lead Electric Car Instructor, Assistant Division Manager of Operations, instrumental in several car and equipment restorations and acquisitions, and in museum legal matters. Mr. Starre is an Estate Planner and Real Estate Attorney in private practice in Los Angeles.

Community Directors