[1] Visitors to Fillmore would see filming activity as well as sets and support equipment at the company's rail yard and along the tracks between Santa Paula and Piru.

The track was used extensively by Southern Pacific as late as the 1950s to haul citrus from packing houses at the communities along the Santa Clara River.

Movies shot on the railroad include Throw Momma from the Train,[3] Three Amigos,[3] Seabiscuit, Get Smart, Rails & Ties, I’ll Remember April, and Race to Witch Mountain.

[16][17] Television series CSI, NCIS: Los Angeles and Criminal Minds have used the railroad for location shooting.

The turntable allows not only turning of locomotives and cars but also access to planned facilities on tracks in the narrow yard area.

[39] The Sierra Northern Railway became the contract operator of the line in December after approval by the Ventura County Transportation Commission.

The majority of the locomotives, rolling stock and other assets were acquired by Sierra Northern after the lease of the rail line ended.