The Santa Susana Railroad Depot is a 1903 Southern Pacific train station in Simi Valley that’s now a museum with a working model railroad. It sits in Oak Knolls Park at 6503 Katherine Road and is typically open weekend afternoons. I went to its 120th anniversary celebration in 2023, which came with a car show out front.
What is the history of the Santa Susana Depot?
The Southern Pacific Railroad finished the depot in March 1903. It originally stood on Los Angeles Avenue, just east of Tapo Street. A year later the Santa Susana Tunnel opened, cutting travel time on the Coast Route between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
For more than 60 years, the depot served as a passenger station, telegraph office, and freight depot for Simi Valley’s farmers and travelers. The station agent’s family lived upstairs.
Southern Pacific closed the station in the early 1970s. The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District bought the building for one dollar, and in May 1975 it was cut into three pieces and trucked about two miles east to where it stands today. Ventura County named it a County Historical Landmark in 1976, and after years of volunteer restoration it reopened as a museum in 2000. (Sources: Ventura County Museums, Simi Valley Historical Society.)
What can you see at the depot museum?
- Railroad and local history exhibits, including the story of the depot itself.
- A model railroad in the old freight room. The club that runs it models California in the 1950s.
- Live trains. The tracks right next to the depot are still active, carrying freight and passenger trains through Simi Valley.
What happened at the 120th anniversary?
The 120th anniversary drew a crowd to Oak Knolls Park. There were exhibits open inside the museum, a car show outside, and volunteers welcoming visitors. The model railroad club was running trains across their California layout, and it’s worth the stop on its own.
Visiting the Santa Susana Depot
- Where: 6503 Katherine Road, Simi Valley, CA 93063 (in Oak Knolls Park)
- Hours: Typically Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., except major holidays. Call (805) 581-3462 to confirm before you go.
- Groups: Group tours can be arranged by phone.
Living near the depot
The depot sits right next to Santa Susana Knolls, one of the most unique corners of Simi Valley. If you’re curious about living there, my real estate team has a Santa Susana Knolls neighborhood guide, plus a guide to all of Simi Valley’s neighborhoods.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Santa Susana Depot built?
The Southern Pacific Railroad completed it in March 1903. It celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2023.
Where is the Santa Susana Depot?
At 6503 Katherine Road in Simi Valley, on the grounds of Oak Knolls Park. It was moved there from Los Angeles Avenue in 1975.
When is the depot museum open?
Typically weekend afternoons, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., except major holidays. Call (805) 581-3462 to confirm.
Is the train track by the depot still in use?
Yes. The line next to the depot is still active with freight and passenger trains.
Filmed March 2023 by Steve Hise for Simi On Video. Know a Simi Valley event I should cover? Send me a message on Instagram.
