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.
All Aboard for our BBQ Dinner Excursion. Travel round trip from either Fort Bragg or Willits to Northspur.
From Fort Bragg: Departing Fort Bragg on this 5-hour journey with a dinner stop at Northspur. During the trip you will be treated to views of the Pudding Creek estuary, travel through tunnel #1, and quietly glide through the majestic Noyo River Canyon.
From Willits: Travel from Willits to Northspur Round-trip aboard the vintage 1925 or 1935 Motorcar. As you depart Willits you will begin climbing a 3.5% grade and cut through the Coast Mountain Range at Tunnel #2 from here it's a long descent into the Redwoods of the Noyo River Canyon.
Departs: 3:30 pm
BBQ Dinner Train
A great family experience, this train will take you on a 4 to 5 hour evening ride through the redwood forests. Accompanied with a delicious BBQ meal, you are sure to enjoy every second of this tour.
