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The Santa Clara Depot

Drawing of the Santa Clara Depot



Santa Clara Depot picture

Renovating and preserving the Santa Clara depot was the first major endeavor of the SBHRS. Below are a few pictures showing the before and after results of this effort.

The building structure is approximately 50'x225' and has four significant sections.

  • The former passenger area which includes the passenger waiting area, the stationmasters office, restrooms, and the former baggage storage room (now the SBHRS library with railroad books, videos, movies, and historic railroad papers).
  • The original freight house. This room is now used for a meeting room and museum artifact display area.
  • The freight house extension. Now used for the scale model railroad and artifact displays.
  • The former Acme Freight Company office. Now transformed to represent a turn of the century railroad boardroom. (The boardroom and meeting room are available for rent.)

In 1985, the depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. A brief history of the depot is available.

National Register of Historic Places monument plaque.   Graffitti from 1888 found carved in the depot wall.
Graffiti from 1888
(We left this in place.)
Before South end of depot After
South end of depot, circa 1985.
(circa 1985)
South end of depot, circa 1996.
(circa 1996)
South end of depot with Caltrain engine, circa 1995.
(circa 1995)
  North end of depot  
North end of depot, circa 1985.
(circa 1985)
Northwest side of depot, circa 1996.
(circa 1996)
North end of depot, circa 1995.
(circa 1995)

Go to the Operation Lifesaver website.   Go to the NMRA website.   Go to the Ntrak website.    Go to the Worlds Greatest Hobby website.
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