The , popularly called the '''Skunk Train''', is a
Heritage Railway in
California .
The CWRR runs steam
Locomotives and diesel engines 40 miles through redwood forests. Along the way, the tracks cross some 30 bridges and trestles and pass through two deep mountain tunnels. The half-way point of Northspur is a popular lunch spot.
The railroad was originally built by the
Fort Bragg Railroad in 1885 to carry
Coast Redwood trees from the dense forests at Glenela (Glen Blair) to a newly built lumber mill located 6.6 miles to the west on the coast at
Fort Bragg, California . The railroad was owned by the Fort Bragg Lumber Company. On
July 1 1905 the railroad was renamed the . In 1904 passenger service was added, and on
December 11 1911 the route was completed to its total length of 40 miles roughly following the
Noyo River , ending in the inland town of
Willits, California .
On
December 19 1947 the railroad name was shortened to the . The railroad would later fall into the ownership of the various lumber producers, including Union Lumber (1948),
Boise Cascade (1969), and later
Georgia-Pacific .
In June 1987 the CWR was sold to the
Kyle Railways subsidiary
Mendocino Coast Railway . Mendocino Coast Railway continued to operate the CWR under the California Western name. On
December 17 2003 the California Western Railroad was rescued from abandonment when it was bought by the
Sierra Railroad . The Sierra Railroad now operates the Skunk Train in addition to its
Sacramento RiverTrain in
Woodland, California and the Sierra Railroad line between
Oakdale and
Jamestown, California . The Sierra Railroad abandoned the California Western Railroad name when it took over the CWR line.
Over the years the railroads freight redwood lumber traffic declined. By 1996 lumber shipments were less than 500 cars per year and passenger service was the line's main source of revenue. Today the passenger train excursions are the railroad's sole source of revenue.
Gas-powered, self propelled passenger motorcars were added in 1925. They were nicknamed "Skunk Trains" because people said "You can smell 'em before you can see 'em." The line also has a steam engine that runs out of Fort Bragg.
The line is no longer used for freight, but passenger service is still available. Maintaining the railway through such rugged terrain is a major undertaking, both logistically and financially, and service is not always available for the full trip from Fort Bragg to Willits - however, there are shorter trips to halfway points running year-round.
The railroad has also been featured in several movies, including
Racing With The Moon and
The Majestic .
in
Mendocino County, California
(created using
nationalatlas.gov )]]
