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 Willits, you'll begin the steep ascent (3.5% grade) to the summit of our line at 1,740 feet. Traveling through Tunnel No. 2, you begin a descent into the Noyo River Canyon. In one spot, the vintage rail cruiser travels 8.5 miles to cover a straight line-distance of less than one mile. Food and beverages are available onboard, and seasonally available at Northspur.
Departs: Daily at 9:45 am
Willits
This 3.5 to 4 hour round trip tour to Northspur and back will treat you to views of redwoods. Beginning by ascending a 1,740 foot peak and descending from there, you are sure to encounter nature at it's greatest.
