[2] The Santa Susana Tunnel opened the next year, reducing the distance and transit time between Montalvo and Burbank on the Coast Route linking Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Plans and construction for the building were based on Southern Pacific Railroad standard design Two Story Combination Depot No.

Due to lessening passenger traffic and changes in the shipment of freight, Southern Pacific closed the station in the early 1970s, leaving Santa Susana Depot empty and destined for demolition.

[5] A nonprofit organization was formed to restore the building and ready it for public use in conjunction with the Rancho Simi Parks and Recreation Department.

The railroad layout models the coast route between Los Angeles, California, and Portland, Oregon, with scenery that targets the early 1950s.