Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train service along the Gaviota Coast resumed Tuesday, January 13, following a week-long suspension caused by storm-related track damage.
The disruption affected service between Goleta and San Luis Obispo, a key coastal rail corridor.
Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the rail line, said erosion and ground instability caused by recent storms required emergency repairs and safety inspections before service could resume.
During the closure, Amtrak operated connection buses to maintain service continuity for passengers traveling through the affected area.
The track damage stemmed from an erosion-related incident reported near Highway 101 and Arroyo Quemada on January 6, 2026.
As previously reported by Edhat, an excavator operator clearing storm debris was injured when a large erosion event caused the heavy equipment to fall approximately 10 feet toward the ocean.
The adult male operator was able to self-extricate from the excavator and climb back up to the tracks. Santa Barbara County Fire Department crews responded at approximately 7:47 a.m. and transported him to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with minor injuries.
Medical Emergency / Hard Railroad Closure Update Video– Gaviota Coast (Hwy 101 & Arroyo Quemada) pic.twitter.com/9ylO7HaNRb
— PIO (@PIOSBCFireInfo) January 6, 2026
Following the incident, officials placed a hard closure on the affected stretch as crews worked to stabilize the area and assess the risk of further erosion. Union Pacific said the goal was to safely restore passenger rail traffic as soon as conditions allowed.
Amtrak is advising riders to monitor service alerts ahead of travel, as schedules may still be adjusted based on weather conditions or ongoing inspections.
The damage followed a series of powerful winter storms that struck Santa Barbara County from December 23, 2025, through January 4, 2026. Multiple atmospheric river systems brought heavy rainfall, flooding, coastal erosion, landslides, and high winds, prompting the county to declare a local emergency on January 9, as reported by Edhat.
Some areas recorded cumulative rainfall totals exceeding 22 inches during the storm events.
The storms led to multiple closures across Santa Barbara County, including the Santa Barbara Airport, highways, parks, and impacted communities.
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