Except for passengers' high-tech cameras and modern garb, a time traveler from the last century would feel quite at home riding Skunk Train today.
The view from the restored rail cars is pretty much unchanged: towering trees, deer drinking from the Noyo River, an isolated fisherman's cabin peeking from the forest. With occasional whistles as it chugs through tunnels, over bridges and past open meadows, the train follows the coastal "Redwood Route" as it has since 1885.
Built as a logging railroad, the Skunk line began that year as a logical vehicle for moving massive redwood logs to Mendocino Coast sawmills from the rugged back country. Steam passenger service was started in 1904, extended to the town of Willits in 1911, and discontinued in 1925 when the self-powered, yellow "Skunk" rail cars were inaugurated. The little trains were quickly nicknamed for their original gas engines, which prompted folks to say, "You can smell 'em before you can see 'em."
Moving at a leisurely pace, the trains pull covered cars as well as open observation cars—perfect for capturing photographs of this truly exhilirating journey.
As you depart Fort Bragg, you will be treated to views of the Pudding Creek estuary. Quietly slipping into Tunnel No. 1, you will emerge into the Noyo River Canyon, the river you will cross for the balance of your journey to Nothspur. Traveling at the base of the canyon, you will find you're constantly looking up to see the tops of redwoods.
Departs: Daily at 10:00 am
Fort Bragg
Our most frequent train, this is a 3.5 to 4 hour round trip tour to Northspur and back where you will be treated to views of redwoods as you travel through the Noyo River Canyon.
