Seymour F. Johnson

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Seymour F. Johnson was the grandson of Warren S. Johnson, founder and chairman of Johnson Controls.

For many years the late Dr. Seymour Johnson owned and operated a huge Live Steam miniature railroad in the Montecito hills of California. His club was the Goleta Valley Live Steamers (GVLS). He operated both 1 1/2" scale, 7 1/2" gauge rolling stock and locomotives as well as much larger 3" scale, 15" gauge rolling stock and locomotives.

Tom Remembers

Tom Parris wrote in the Summer 2005 edition of the Warren S. Johnson Society of Retirees, Inc. newsletter:

Do any of you model railroaders remember Seymour F. Johnson’s railroad? It was called the Montecito & Pacific Railroad. As I remember it, Seymour Johnson was the grandson of Warren S. Johnson. He was the first person that I remember that had a Greyhound bus converted into a motor home. He would park it in the company parking lot when he attended Board of Directors Meetings. One year, he had scale model stainless steel spikes made by our Model Shop for his railroad. Yes, he reimbursed the company for them. The railroad had a 15 inch track, steam locomotive and coaches with a half-mile loop track near his estate above Santa Barbara, California. The locomotive was a model of a New York Central J3 Hudson. Other model railroaders stored and ran their steam locomotives at his facility. Eventually, a collector purchased the locomotive and coaches from his estate. He also wrote technical articles for Live Steam and Modeltec magazines.

Linn H. Westcott Pays a Visit

Linn H. Westcott, then editor of Model Railroader magazine, paid a visit to Dr. Seymour Johnson at this Goleta Valley Western Railroad in 1969. Westcott wrote an extensive article on the operation which was published in the September 1969 edition of Model Railroader.

  • Seymour Johnson Backs his 7.5" gauge 4-8-4 up the ramp leading from the steaming tracks to the main lines. Retaining wall supports main station tracks. From Model Railroader, Sept 1969.

    Seymour Johnson Backs his 7.5" gauge 4-8-4 up the ramp leading from the steaming tracks to the main lines. Retaining wall supports main station tracks. From Model Railroader, Sept 1969.

  • Linn H. Westcott watches Seymour Johnson work on his live-steam 4-8-4, Goleta Valley Western R.R., Montecito, California.

    Linn H. Westcott watches Seymour Johnson work on his live-steam 4-8-4, Goleta Valley Western R.R., Montecito, California.

  • Seymour Johnson and Linn H. Westcott servicing Johnson's 4-8-4.

    Seymour Johnson and Linn H. Westcott servicing Johnson's 4-8-4.

  • Linn H. Westcott driving Seymour Johnson's 4-8-4, Goleta Valley Western R.R., Montecito, California.

    Linn H. Westcott driving Seymour Johnson's 4-8-4, Goleta Valley Western R.R., Montecito, California.

What Happened to the GVWRR?

The club and layout were built on Dr. Seymour Johnson's private estate. Seymour was born on May 7, 1901. Unfortunately, he died on April 4, 1992 at the grand old age of 90 years. The club continued to meet at his track until shortly after his death. Eventually, all track was removed. Most of the 15" gauge went to the San Diego area and is at Glen Bell's "Bell Gardens" Farm. Some of the 7.5" live steamers negotiated land in Ventura and built a new livesteamer facility. However, this club property was eventually vacated and the railroad that was built on it no longer exists.

From edhat.com:

The railroad at Seymore's ranch was run by the Goleta Valley Railroad Club. After he died, and the property was up for sale, the club removed everything. The club is still alive with a few members. All the equipment was taken to another club, Bitter Creek Western Railroad, at Halcyon near Arroyo Grande, in San Luis Obispo County.

National Geographic Special

National Geographic produces a video special entitled "Love Those Train". Seymour Johnson is interviewed starting at the 10 minute mark.

Seymour Johnson operating his oil-fired Northern on the Goleta Valley and Western RR with an IBLS 50th Anniversary Banner in the background. From the National Geographic special "Love Those Trains".

3 inch Hudson

Mr. Pearson sold a complete set of drawings for Seymour Johnson's 3 inch scale Hudson on DiscoverLiveSteam.com.

LP

FarewellToSteam LP 1955.jpg

Seymour produced an LP (vinyl) record of steam locomotive sounds under the name Seymour F. Johnson Enterpises. From popsike.com:

Farewell To Steam! - Seymour F. Johnson Enterprises, Santa Barbara, CA. GB-4043 (1955)(Mono)(US) ...This auction is for an original, first edition Record pressing on U.S. vinyl. This recording tells the story of that bright winter day (February 6, 1955) when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway ran the last train on the Los Angeles Division to be pulled by steam. Also included will be a second pressing of this release as well.
  • Tracks listed: (Engine 4-8-4 number 3759)
  • (Side One)(A)Los Angeles to San Bernardino, California (B)Pasadena to San Bernardino, California
  • (Side Two)(A)San Bernardino to Barstow, California (B)Sounds of Southern Pacific Trains at Santa Barbara, California

References

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