| One
of the Most Scenic Railroads in North America
Trips
are offered from our two stations located
at opposite ends of our railroad line
in Fort Bragg and Willits.
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.
NORTHSPUR
Northspur is the mid-point of the railroad and is located 21.3
miles east of Fort Bragg and 18.7 miles west of Willits. This
is the turnaround point for every train. If you are on a one-way
or overnighter you will be transfering trains here at Northspur.
Back in the day, Northspur was one of the busiest logging camps
in the Noyo River Canton, housing a store, post office, and
the Noyo River Apple Company. Today, our concession services
are open from April through October, and Wendy and her staff stand
ready to greet you. Set on the banks of the Noyo River, this large
redwood grove has been welcoming passengers for well over a century.
FORT BRAGG
TRIPS DEPARTING FROM FORT BRAGG DEPOT—
HALF DAY ROUND-TRIP to NORTHSPUR: Departing at 10:00 a.m.
from Fort Bragg this
3.5- to 4-hour round-trip costs $49 per adult and $24 per
child. 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. TRIP
CODE NS
Northspur Steam: Departing from Fort Bragg
on selected days, your train is pulled by Engine #45—a
beautifully maintained, 1924 steam locomotive. TRIP
CODE ST
Northspur Barbecue: During the summer months
from Fort Bragg, we offer a 4.5-hour afternoon trip to Northspur
during which you’re treated to a delicious barbecue in
the redwoods. Trips depart Friday and Saturday.
This trip is operated by a motorcar and when our capacity grows
beyond 60 passengers, we switch over to a diesel locomotive and
passenger cars. TRIP CODE BF
SPECIAL EVENTS: The Skunk Train hosts numerous
special events throughout the year. Private charters, weddings,
corporate retreats and events can be planned as well.
ONE-WAY — Departing Fort Bragg traveling
to Willits, you will travel to the opposite end of our line,
seeing the entire 40-mile-long Redwood Route. Trips are offered:
Saturdays and Sundays (May 26,
2012 through June 3, 2012)
Friday–Sunday (June 8, 2012
through June 10, 2012
Wednesday–Sunday (June 13,
2012 through September 3, 2012)
This one-way trip departs from Fort Bragg at 10:00
am.
OVERNIGHTER — Departing Fort Bragg and
traveling to Willits, you can ride the train to the opposite
end of the line and spend any multiple of nights before returning
to the originating station. The overnight option is available
during the summer months.
Saturdays and Sundays (May 25,
2012 through June 3, 2012)
Friday–Sunday (June 8, 2012 through June 10, 2012
Wednesday–Sunday (June 13, 2012 through September
3, 2012)
This one-way trip departs Fort Bragg at
10:00 a.m.
Please book an overnight with one of our partner properties. Please
check with the lodging property you book to ensure they will
transport you to and from the train station.
With advance notice we will transport bicycles for those passengers
on one-way and overnight round-trips.
WILLITS
TRIPS DEPARTING FROM WILLITS —
HALF DAY / ROUND-TRIP to NORTHSPUR: Departing at 9:45
a.m. from Willits, this
3.5- to 4-hour round trip on our vintage rail cruiser costs $40
per adult and $24 per child. 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. TRIP
CODE MC
SPECIAL EVENTS: The Skunk Train hosts
numerous special events throughout the year. Private charters,
weddings, corporate retreats and events can be planned as well.
ONE-WAY — Departing Willits and traveling
to Fort Bragg you will travel to the opposite end of our line
seeing the entire 40-mile-long Redwood Route. Trips are offered:
Saturdays and Sundays (May 26,
2012 through June 3, 2012)
Friday–Sunday (June 8, 2012 through June 10, 2012
Wednesday–Sunday (June 13, 2012 through September
3, 2012)
The one-way
trip departs Willits at 9:45 a.m.
OVERNIGHTER — Departing Willits and
traveling to Fort Bragg, you can ride the train to the opposite
end of the line and spend any multiple of nights before returning
to the originating station. The overnight option is available
during the summer months.
Saturdays and Sundays (May 26,
2012 through June 3, 2012)
Friday–Sunday (June 8, 2012 through June 10, 2012
Wednesday–Sunday (June 13, 2012 through September
3, 2012)
The one-way trip departs Willits at 9:45
a.m.
Please book an overnight with one of our partner properties. Please
check with the lodging property you book to ensure they will
transport you to and from the train station.
With advance notice, we will transport bicycles for those passengers
on one-way and overnight round-trips.
BARBECUE DINNER
Motorcar or Diesel Locomotive
This trip is operated by a motorcar and when our capacity grows
beyond 60 passengers, we switch over to a diesel locomotive and
passenger cars.
- 4.5-hour evening ride through the redwoods with a delicious
barbeque dinner
- Live entertainment on select evenings
- A great family experience
- Trips depart Fort Bragg and Willits depots at 3:30 p.m.
- $70 Adult; $40 Child
- Saturday trips feature fresh salmon when available
Menu Subject to Availability. TRIP
CODE BF (FORT
BRAGG) TRIP CODE BW (WILLITS) |
