KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Ed Guthrie, son of Saugus Train Station’s last Station Master, James R. Guthrie, shared what it was like growing up at the historic train station Friday.
Sponsored Articles
Growing up at the Train Station, Guthrie recalls befriending the engineers of the trains and climbing onto the caboose, adding sometimes “the cabooses had more kids than engineers.”
“There was a branch running from Saugus to Ventura… (which would) bring materials to local businesses (every day),” said Guthrie. “I would get on until Mayo, and they would bring me home on their way back.”
The Saugus Train Station opened Sept. 1, 1887, as a stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad, originally located on the southeast corner of Drayton Street and San Fernando Road, providing a stop between Saugus to Ventura.
The area behind these tracks served as a playground for Guthrie and his friends, he said.
“There were some abandoned buildings behind the tracks and my friends and I would get lumber from these abandoned buildings and would build tree forts,” said Guthrie. “When I got older, I got my motorcycle and built my own track there.”
Get live news updates about Santa Clarita by following KHTS on Facebook and KHTS on TwitterThe last passenger train to arrive at the station made its stop in April 1971, and the last freight train did so in 1979, with the station officially closing its doors on Nov. 15, 1978, which was a tough transition for Station Master James R. Guthrie, according to SCVHistory.com.
“I was already out of the house but it was a shock for my dad,” said Guthrie. “My father moved to San Fernando, which was tough, because for 26 years my father had a 26-step commute from upstairs to his office.”
Once the station had closed its doors the Southern Pacific Transportation Co. has plans to demolish the building, but through fundraising efforts organized by the Santa Clarita Historical Society the building was left alone.
On June 24-25, 1980, it was moved 2 miles south to the Historical Society’s home at Heritage Junction at William S. Hart County Park in Newhall.
Looking back at his childhood at the Train Station, Guthrie has only fond memories, whether it be building forts with his friends behind the tracks, catching rides on the cabooses of trains or eating dinner with railroad executives in the private railway carts.
“It was a totally enjoyable childhood and I’m sure there aren’t many like it out there,” said Guthrie.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at [email protected].
Ed Guthrie iis my brother!
This is Nancy Guthrie, the youngest of the 5 kids raised in the little house on top of the train station… being the youngest, I lived there the longest…. I was heart broken when they closed the station and my dad had to commute to the valley every day for work!
It was the best childhood anyone could have ever asked for! From my younger years, sleepovers were very popular among my friends!! Lol.. and in my teen years, we had many a party when mom and dad were out of town!! As long as my brother Eddie didn’t walk in and kick everyone out, we had a blast!!