# California Western Railroad

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Heritage railroad in Mendocino County, California, US

California Western Railroad Map of the California Western Railroad (created using nationalatlas.gov) Overview Owner Sierra Railroad Locale Mendocino County, California, U.S. Termini Ft. Bragg Willits Website https://www.skunktrain.com/ Service Type Heritage railway System CWR Services 2 Depot(s) Fort Bragg, California, Willits, California Ridership 60,000 (2018)[1] History Opened 1885 as Fort Bragg Railroad Sold 2003 Technical Line length 40 mi (64 km) Track gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Highest elevation 1,740 ft (530 m) Skunk Train Route Legend Skunk Ten Mile Railroad New planned terminal at former G-P mill 0 Fort Bragg SR 1 3.5 mi 5.6 km Glen Blair Junction 3.6 mi 5.8 km Tunnel No. 1 6.6 mi 10.6 km South Fork 9 mi 14 km Ranch 10 mi 16 km Redwood Lodge 12.7 mi 20.4 km Grove 14.9 mi 24 km Camp Three 16.2 mi 26.1 km Camp Four 16.4 mi 26.4 km Camp Noyo 18.1 mi 29.1 km Alpine 19.8 mi 31.9 km Camp Seven 21.3 mi 34.3 km Northspur 23.9 mi 38.5 km Irmulco 26.8 mi 43.1 km Shake City 27.8 mi 44.7 km Burbeck 28.7 mi 46.2 km Soda Springs 32.6 mi 52.5 km Crowley 34.1 mi 54.9 km Crater 35.4 mi 57 km Summit 36 mi 58 km Tunnel No. 2 37.5 mi 60.4 km Rodgers SR 20 38.6 mi 62.1 km Sage Spur US 101 40 mi 64 km Willits Northwestern Pacific Railroad This diagram: view talk edit

[California Western 45](/source/California_Western_45) photo special eastbound at the first crossing of the [Noyo River](/source/Noyo_River), 2009

The **California Western Railroad** ([reporting mark](/source/Reporting_mark) **CWR**), AKA Mendocino Railway, popularly called the **Skunk Train**, is a [rail freight](/source/Rail_freight) and [heritage railroad](/source/Heritage_railway) transport railway in [Mendocino County, California](/source/Mendocino_County%2C_California), United States, running from the railroad's headquarters in the coastal town of [Fort Bragg](/source/Fort_Bragg%2C_California) to the interchange with the [Northwestern Pacific Railroad](/source/Northwestern_Pacific_Railroad) at [Willits](/source/Willits%2C_California).

The CWR runs steam- and diesel-powered trains and rail motor cars through [Redwood](/source/Coast_Redwood) forests along Pudding Creek and the [Noyo River](/source/Noyo_River). Along the way, the tracks cross some 30 single bridges and trestles and pass through two deep mountain tunnels. The halfway point, short of [Northspur](/source/Northspur%2C_California), is a popular meal and beverage spot for the railroad's passengers.

## History

The railroad was originally built by the Fort Bragg Redwood Company as the Fort Bragg Railroad in 1885 to carry [coast redwood](/source/Coast_redwood) logs from the dense forests at Glenela (Glen Blair) to a newly built lumber mill located 6.6 miles (10.6 km) to the west at coastal Fort Bragg. Fort Bragg Redwood Company was incorporated into the new Union Lumber Company in 1891; railroad ownership remained with the parent lumber company until 1969. Chinese tunnel builders completed 1,184-foot (361 m) Tunnel No. 1 from Pudding Creek to the [Noyo River](/source/Noyo_River) in 1893. Rails had been extended up the Noyo River to Alpine by 1904 when passenger service began with a [stagecoach](/source/Stagecoach) connection to the inland town of Willits. On July 1, 1905, the railroad was renamed the **California Western Railroad & Navigation Company** and shipped lumber on a fleet of steam schooners, first with wooden hulls and later with steel, until shipboard transportation of lumber ended in 1940.[2]

List of CWR&NC Schooners Name Shipyards Hull Entered service Service ended Reason Noyo Humboldt Bay Wood 1888 1914 Shipwrecked off Point Arena Brunswick Oregon Wood 1903 1931 Sold National City Unknown Wood 1906 1918 Sold in Peru Arctic Oregon Wood 1908 1922 Shipwrecked off Point Arena Coquille River Oregon[a] Wood 1908 1925 Sold Noyo II Seattle Steel 1913 1935 Shipwrecked off Point Arena Noyo III Unknown Steel 1935 1940 Sold in Thailand ^ Built in 1896 and purchased later from original owner

Rails were gradually extended up the Noyo River [headwall](/source/Headwall) with a 3.3 percent grade and five 33-degree [horseshoe curves](/source/Horseshoe_curve) with a railway distance of 6.5 miles (10.5 km) to climb 932 feet (284 m) over the straight-line distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Soda Springs to the summit. Completion of 795-foot (242 m) tunnel #2 on December 11, 1911[3] allowed interchange connection with the [Northwestern Pacific Railroad](/source/Northwestern_Pacific_Railroad) at Willits, 40 rail miles (64 km) from Fort Bragg.[4]

The rail connection to Fort Bragg was very popular for passengers traveling to and from [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco). Union Lumber Company selected premium grade clear [redwood](/source/Redwood) lumber (without [knots](/source/Knot_(wood))) to build a [Tyrolean Alps](/source/Tyrolean_Alps)-style depot in 1916 where passengers changed trains at Willits. A [Pullman car](/source/Pullman_car) began operating between Fort Bragg and San Francisco in May, 1921; and this steam passenger train continued operating in addition to the Skunk railbus schedule until November, 1929.[5]

In 1916 a 17.6-mile (28.3 km) [logging branch line](/source/Forest_railway) was built northward along the [Pacific](/source/Pacific) coast from Fort Bragg to the [Ten Mile River](/source/Ten_Mile_River_(California)) and up the middle fork of the river to Camp 6. A 4.4-mile (7.1 km) branch extended up the north fork of the Ten Mile River to Clark Fork Landing. Trains brought logs from the Ten Mile River to the Fort Bragg sawmill until the rails were replaced by a road for logging trucks in 1949. Much of the former railroad grade between Fort Bragg and the Ten Mile River is presently used as a [MacKerricher State Park](/source/MacKerricher_State_Park) coastal trail; and an unused trestle is visible from [California State Route 1](/source/California_State_Route_1) on the beach at the mouth of Pudding Creek.[6] The original rail line to Glen Blair operated as a branch line from Glen Blair Junction at the west portal of tunnel #1 until dismantled in 1942.[7]

California Western Railroad gas railcar M100. May 1972.

On December 19, 1947, the railroad name was shortened to the **California Western Railroad.** In 1952, the railroad retired all of its [steam locomotives](/source/Steam_locomotive) in favor for [diesel power](/source/Diesel_locomotives). On September 26, 1964 westbound railcar M-80, carrying 32 members of San Mateo Masonic Lodge No. 226 on a sightseeing excursion, ran past its scheduled meeting place to collide head-on with eastbound railcar M-100, carrying 41 members of the Aircraft Pilot's Club of Oakland. The incident sent nine of the westbound occupants to the local hospital with serious injuries.[8] Union Lumber and its California Western Railroad came under the ownership of the various lumber producers, including [Boise Cascade](/source/Boise_Cascade) (1969), and later [Georgia-Pacific Corporation](/source/Georgia-Pacific_Corporation) (G-P). A January 1970, derailment on the horseshoe curves destroyed diesel locomotives 51, 52 and 54.[9] The engineer and fireman were able to jump clear when the air brakes failed on a downgrade train.[10] G-P initially leased the CWR's operations to Kyle Railways, but 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. No longer able to make a profit when the G-P mill began to reduce operations and finally closed altogether, Kyle Railways opted to sell the financially starved CWR. On December 17, 2003 the California Western Railroad was rescued when it was bought by the [Sierra Railroad](/source/Sierra_Railroad).[11] The Skunk Train is owned and operated by Mendocino Railway, a subsidiary of the Sierra Railroad.

## Route

Road sign in Willits advertising the Skunk Train. Train tracks and warning signs in front.

Milepost Feature[12] Notes 0 Fort Bragg depot built in 1924 1.0 Pudding Creek this pond was used as a water supply for the sawmill hydraulic debarker 3.4 Glen Blair Junction 1,122-foot (342 m) Tunnel #1 (currently closed) 6.6 South Fork river gravel was collected here for use as track ballast 7.3 Rockpit another source of track ballast 9.0 Ranch Union Lumber Company raised beef and mutton here to feed their woods crews 10.0 Redwood Lodge site of a resort destroyed by fire in 1963 12.7 Grove 15.0 Camp 3 a logging camp 16.0 Camp 4 a logging camp 16.4 Camp Noyo operated by Boy Scouts of America 18.1 Alpine site of a hotel, school, and post office from 1905 until destroyed by fire in 1919 19.0 Camp Mendocino operated by the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco 20.0 Camp 7 a logging camp 20.5 Noyo Lodge 21.3 Northspur wye for turning trains 23.9 Irmulco site of the Irvine & Muir Lumber Company town from 1908 to 1927 26.8 Shake City site of a roofing shake manufacturing facility destroyed by fire in the 1950s 27.7 Burbeck 28.7 Soda Springs horseshoe curves 30.4 Clare Mill horseshoe curve 32.6 Crowley horseshoe curve 33.8 Crater horseshoe curve 35.4 Summit elevation 1,740 feet (530 m) in 795-foot (242 m) Tunnel #2 37.5 Rodgers California State Route 20 grade crossing 38.6 Sage Spur sawmill 40.0 Willits historic redwood Tyrolean Alps-style depot

## Freight traffic

The railroad owned 199 freight cars in 1912, including 156 [flatcars](/source/Flatcar) for logs and lumber, six [tank cars](/source/Tank_car) for locomotive fuel oil, three [boxcars](/source/Boxcar), a [stock car](/source/Stock_car_(rail)), and some [ballast](/source/Track_ballast) cars. California Western leased [steel](/source/Steel) freight cars from other railroads when these wooden cars became unsuitable for [interchange service](/source/Interchange_(freight_rail)). Most of the old wooden cars were [scrapped](/source/Scrap) when the Ten Mile River branch was dismantled in 1949, but a few remained in use for [maintenance of way](/source/Maintenance_of_way) service and to move lumber around the Fort Bragg sawmill yard.[13]

In the late 1980s, the railroad's freight redwood lumber traffic rapidly declined. Georgia-Pacific gradually shifted lumber shipments to more flexible highway trucks until the Northwestern Pacific Railroad [North Coast Railroad Authority] was embargoed and shut-down from Willits to the California Northern Railroad and Union Pacific mainline connection near the SF Bay Area. By 1996, before the NWP embargo, CWR lumber shipments were less than 500 cars per year and passenger service became the line's main source of revenue. All freight service was discontinued in 2001, and the [Federal Railroad Administration's](/source/Federal_Railroad_Administration) emergency order effectively cut the CWR off from the national rail network.[14]

## Skunk Train

The No. 45 prepares for a journey in 1979.

Gas-powered, self-propelled, passenger railcars were added in 1925; and, after Pullman service was discontinued, CWR steam passenger trains ran only when the motorcars were out of service for maintenance. The [passenger coaches](/source/Passenger_car_(rail)) were scrapped in 1949. The motorcars were nicknamed "Skunks" because people said, "You can smell 'em before you can see 'em." In 1965 the line reintroduced summer steam passenger service between Fort Bragg and Willits with "Super Skunk" Baldwin-built steam locomotive No.45 pulling four former [Erie Lackawanna Railway](/source/Erie_Lackawanna_Railway) 72-foot (22 m) Stillwell [coaches](/source/Passenger_car_(rail)) built in 1926.[15] That train was discontinued in 2001, then revived in September 2006. No. 45 continues to power excursion trains from [Fort Bragg, California](/source/Fort_Bragg%2C_California) as far as [Northspur, California](/source/Northspur%2C_California), the CWR's midpoint, on selected weekends summer to early autumn.[4]

Without the considerable revenue lumber and general merchandise freight once contributed to the bottom line, 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, California](/source/Willits%2C_California). However, shorter trips to intermediate points usually run year-round.

"Skunk Train" station in Fort Bragg

## Tunnel No. 1 closures

Beginning April 11, 2013, the railroad was in a crisis following the partial collapse of Tunnel No. 1 which buried nearly 50 feet (15 m) of its 1,200 feet (370 m) of track under rocks and soil, the third major collapse in the over 100-year-old tunnel's history.[16] Without sufficient cash reserves to finance the excavation the railroad announced a fundraising campaign on June 7, selling lifetime passes and seeking private donations to meet a goal set at $300,000, the estimated cost to remove the blockage and repair the tunnel walls.[17] The announcement explicitly stated that if some manner of external funding was not secured it would have no option but to cease operations permanently. On June 19, [Save the Redwoods League](/source/Save_the_Redwoods_League) announced an offer to pay the amount required to meet the fundraising goal in exchange for a [conservation easement](/source/Conservation_easement) along the track's 40-mile (64 km) right-of-way.[18] The acceptance of the offer allowed the railroad to resume full service in August 2013.

Tunnel No. 1 was once again closed in 2016 after sustaining damage from the 2015–16 [El Nino](/source/El_Nino), but the railway was left in a better position, having equipment at the Willits depot to allow the running of half-routes to the Northspur Junction and back (which was not the case during the 2013 crisis); trains from Fort Bragg are limited to running only 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the Glen Blair Junction (one hour round trip) before returning to the depot, officially called the "Pudding Creek Express."

No announcements regarding the status of Tunnel No. 1 have been made since 2015, though the railroad is fully committed to its reopening. Both tunnel collapses were related to the hillside, which has a history of instability dating back to its construction in 1893.

[Railbike](/source/Railbike) tours began in 2018 as a response to the tunnel closures, with multiple other heritage railroads around the United States introducing their own railbike experiences after the California Western's railbikes proved very popular.[19]

The railroad applied for a [United States Department of Transportation](/source/United_States_Department_of_Transportation) BUILD grant in 2018 to fund tunnel repairs and replace over 30,000 ties made of [chromated copper arsenate](/source/Chromated_copper_arsenate) installed by Kyle Railways; this grant was denied in February 2019,[20] but the request was reportedly in the top-third of those sent, and the Department of Transportation encouraged the railroad to re-apply.[21] The railroad also planned to address deferred maintenance issues, and upgrade its tracks for commuter and freight service in anticipation of the reopening of the Northwestern Pacific to Willits and the potential extension of [Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit](/source/Sonoma%E2%80%93Marin_Area_Rail_Transit) (SMART) to Willits.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Had the grant been approved, reconstruction of Tunnel No. 1 would have begun in 2019 and been completed by 2021, while tie replacement would have lasted until 2024.[22][23][24]

The railroad planned to reopen the tunnel by the end of 2022,[19] but as of May 2025, the tunnel remains closed. On January 29, 2024, the [United States Department of Transportation](/source/United_States_Department_of_Transportation) announced that the Build America Bureau had provided a $31.4 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan to the [Sierra Northern Railway](/source/Sierra_Northern_Railway) and Mendocino Railway, which includes funding for the planned 2018 improvements.[25] On May 6, 2024, the railroad announced that work to reopen Tunnel #1 would commence on May 28.[26]

## Expansion plans

In 2019, the railroad purchased 77 acres (31 ha) of the former Fort Bragg [Georgia-Pacific](/source/Georgia-Pacific) mill for redevelopment and extending service to a new terminal.[27] In 2021, they acquired an additional 270-acre (110 ha) site from Georgia-Pacific.[28] In 2025, the Railway agreed to a [Memorandum of Understanding](https://cityfortbragg.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14266079&GUID=976FB701-236D-4BB2-B1E6-E3D24BB0A7E7) with the Fort Bragg City Council to guide future development of the site, which is expected to include a new station for the Skunk Train, an enclosed rail storage shed, and electric trolley service.[29]

## Steam locomotives

[California Western Railroad #45](/source/California_Western_45) (builder #58045 of 1924), is a 2-8-2 "Mikado" locomotive still in use on the Skunk Train.

Number Builder Type Build Works number Notes 1 Baldwin Locomotive Works 0-4-0T 1885 7831 purchased 1905 sold 1906 to Standish & Hickey Lumber 1st #2 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-4-2T 1887 8852 purchased 1905 sold 1910 to Irvine-Muir Lumber 2nd #2 Baldwin Locomotive Works 0-4-2T 1901 18618 purchased 1911 from California State Belt Railroad scrapped 1920 3rd #2 Lima Locomotive Works Shay geared 18 March 1907 1838 former Glen Blair Redwood Company #2; renumbered Union Lumber Company #2 in May 1929; scrapped 1950[30] 3 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-4-4T 1884 purchased 1895 sold 1918 to Mendocino Lumber Company 4 Hinkley Locomotive Works 4-4-0 1883 purchased from Southern Pacific Railroad 1904 scrapped 1914 5 Schenectady Locomotive Works 4-6-0 1880 2042 purchased 1906 scrapped 1923 6 Mason Machine Works 0-4-0 1868 245 purchased from Santa Fe Railroad 1908 sold 1910 7 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2T 1909 33390 renumbered #17 in 1924 8 McKay & Aldus[31] 4-6-0 1869 2002 Built as Central Pacific 39, purchased 1910 from Southern Pacific, renumbered #38 in 1924 9 Lima Locomotive Works Shay geared 27 May 1912 2547 sold 1917 to White River Lumber Company of Enumclaw, Washington[32] 10 Lima Locomotive Works Shay geared 6 April 1911 2419 built as Lima Locomotive Works demonstrator; sold 1917 to become Pacific Lumber Company #31[33] 11 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2T 1913 39551 scrapped 1947 12 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2T 1914 41922 scrapped 1950 14 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2T 1924 58050 purchased from Fruit Growers Supply in 1938 sold 1956 17 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2T 1909 33390 former #7 renumbered in 1924 21 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2 1920 53277 sold 1950 to Pan-American Engineering 22 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2 1921 54878 scrapped 1952 23 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-2 1923 57553 scrapped 1950 36 Baldwin Locomotive Works 4-6-0 ~1890 9298 purchased from Colorado Midland Railroad in 1918 sold to Little River Redwood Company in 1929 38 McKay & Aldus[31] 4-6-0 1869 2002 Former #8 renumbered 1924, scrapped 1941. The namesake of North Coast Brewing's beer, Old No. 38 Stout. 1st #41 Baldwin Locomotive Works 0-6-0 1901 18760 purchased 1922 scrapped 1937 2nd #41 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-8-0 1920 53205 purchased from Sierra Railroad in 1940 scrapped 1950 44 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-8-2 1930 61306 purchased from Lamm Lumber Company 1944 scrapped 1952 45 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-8-2 1924 58045 purchased from Brownley Lumber Company 1964, operated until 2001, previously overhauled 2001–2004, currently undergoing an overhaul since 2015. Used on the Skunk Train. 46 Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-6-2 1937 62064 purchased from Rayonier 1968, on display at Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, restoration planned.

## Diesel locomotives

No. 55 decorated for the [United States Bicentennial](/source/United_States_Bicentennial)

M-300 at Willits, 1970

California Western #65

Number Builder Type Date Works number Notes 51 Baldwin Locomotive Works DS4-4-750 1949 74408 Acquired new 1949, wrecked 1970 and scrapped[34] 52 Baldwin Locomotive Works DS4-4-750 1949 74409 Acquired new 1949, wrecked 1970 and scrapped[34] 53 Baldwin Locomotive Works DS4-4-1000 1949 74193 ex-Pan American Engineering W8380; née Army Corps of Engineers W8380, acquired 1956, retired in 1985, to John Bradley, 1985; to Roots of Motive Power Collection 54 Baldwin Locomotive Works S-12 1952/1953 75823 ex-NW (3307); née WAB 307, wrecked 1970 and scrapped[34] 55 Baldwin Locomotive Works RS-12 1955 76024 nee MR 32, acquired 1968, scrapped 1995 56 Baldwin Locomotive Works RS-12 1955 76105 nee MR 33, acquired 1970, retired in 1985 to John Bradley, 1985; to Travel Town Museum (Los Angeles, CA)56 57 Baldwin Locomotive Works S-12 1953 75914 nee SP 1539, acquired 1970, retired unknown 61 American Locomotive Works RS-11 1955 Unknown former SP, acquired 1976, status unknown 62 American Locomotive Works RS-11 1955 Unknown former SP, acquired 1976, sold to NVRR 1989 63 American Locomotive Works RS-11 1955 Unknown former SP, acquired 1976, status unknown 64 Electro-Motive Diesel GP9 1955 Unknown Former SP #3411.[35] Operational and in regular service. Used occasionally on the Skunk Train. 65 Electro-Motive Diesel GP9 1955 Unknown Former SP #3412.[35] Operational and in regular service. Used on the Skunk Train. 66 Electro-Motive Diesel GP9 1956 Unknown Former C&O #6145. Acquired 1998.[35] Operational and in regular service. Used occasionally on the Skunk Train. 67 Electro-Motive Diesel GP9 6/1954 19554[36] Built as Bangor and Aroostook Railroad #77;[35] acquired 1998; never delivered; current location unknown M-80 Mack Railbus 1923 Unknown Purchased 1925. Wrecked twice: in 1957 with a delivery truck, and in 1964 with M-100. Scrapped 1964 M-100 Edwards Rail Car Company Motor Car 1925 Unknown Acquired from Moorhead & North Forks Railroad; Operable. Recently repainted back to historic yellow scheme M-200 Skagit Steel and Iron Works Motor Car 1927 Unknown Ex-TRC #22; née-LPN 20; to Niles Canyon Railway, 1975; Operable on Niles Canyon Railway M-300 American Car and Foundry Company Motor Car 1935 Unknown Ex-Salt Lake, Garfield and Western Railway (SLGW); née Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad #106; née Seaboard Air Line Railroad #2026; purchased 1963 and rebuilt to eliminate baggage section;[15] Operable

## In popular culture

Pop singer [Michelle Lambert](/source/Michelle_Lambert) performed weekly shows on the Skunk Train during her teenage years.[37]

The railroad has also been featured in several movies, including *[The Signal Tower](/source/The_Signal_Tower)* (1924), *[Racing with the Moon](/source/Racing_with_the_Moon)* (1984), and *[The Majestic](/source/The_Majestic_(film))* (2001). The M-300 railcar has appeared in all three games of the [Transport Fever](/source/Transport_Fever) series, as the earliest [multiple unit](/source/Multiple_unit) that can be built, even carrying the railroad's familiar skunk mascot.[38]

## See also

- [Trains portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Trains)
- [California portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:California)

- [List of heritage railroads in the United States](/source/List_of_heritage_railroads_in_the_United_States)

## References

### Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Callahan, Mary (September 17, 2018). ["Skunk Train deal for bluff property could spur Fort Bragg's remodel"](https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8736979-181/skunk-train-deal-for-bluff?sba=AAS). The Press Democrat. Retrieved June 12, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETahja20083–8,_40_2-0)** [Tahja (2008)](#CITEREFTahja2008), pp. 3–8, 40.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETahja20083–8_4-0)** [Tahja (2008)](#CITEREFTahja2008), pp. 3–8.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELeBaron2003_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELeBaron2003_5-1) [LeBaron (2003)](#CITEREFLeBaron2003).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrump199864,_65,_74–75_6-0)** [Crump (1998)](#CITEREFCrump1998), pp. 64, 65, 74–75.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["1183 Shoreline Hwy, Fort Bragg, California"](https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4585209,-123.8064393,3a,75y,287.66h,86.28t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sm9yGpHl_Sfdw4i63kOI8Xw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dm9yGpHl_Sfdw4i63kOI8Xw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D135.74416%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) (Map). *[Google Maps](/source/Google_Maps)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETahja200845–46_8-0)** [Tahja (2008)](#CITEREFTahja2008), pp. 45–46.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Nine Peninsula Masons Injured In Train Crash"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73522019/the-times/). *San Mateo Times*. September 28, 1964. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrump199860,_145_10-0)** [Crump (1998)](#CITEREFCrump1998), pp. 60, 145.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETahja200843–44_11-0)** [Tahja (2008)](#CITEREFTahja2008), pp. 43–44.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Rail News - Sierra Railroad can call the 'Skunk Train' its own. For Railroad Career Professionals"](https://www.progressiverailroading.com/m_a/news/Sierra-Railroad-can-call-the-Skunk-Train-its-own--11322). *Progressive Railroading*. April 22, 2004. Retrieved June 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETahja200817–29_13-0)** [Tahja (2008)](#CITEREFTahja2008), pp. 17–29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECrump199865,_90,_98_14-0)** [Crump (1998)](#CITEREFCrump1998), pp. 65, 90, 98.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Burns, Ryan (June 10, 2022). ["Surface Transportation Board Rejects Shady Company's Bid to Take Over NCRA Rail Line for Coal Exports"](https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2022/jun/10/okay-now-we-can-say-coal-train-scheme-dead/). *Lost Coast Outpost*. Retrieved June 13, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGuido19654_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGuido19654_16-1) [Guido (1965)](#CITEREFGuido1965), p. 4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Two Views: Another Big Skunk Train Tunnel Collapse"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190723062610/https://www.theava.com/archives/42600). *Anderson Valley Advertiser*. April 15, 2015. Archived from [the original](https://www.theava.com/archives/42600) on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Fimrite, Peter (June 8, 2013). ["Skunk Train stranded by tunnel collapse"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190813022842/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Skunk-Train-stranded-by-tunnel-collapse-4588329.php). *SFGate*. Archived from [the original](https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Skunk-Train-stranded-by-tunnel-collapse-4588329.php) on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Skunk Train back on track, eyes expansion"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190723062615/https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4139375-181/brighter-days-for-mendocino-countys). *Santa Rosa Press Democrat*. July 8, 2015. Archived from [the original](https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4139375-181/brighter-days-for-mendocino-countys) on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LAT2021_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LAT2021_20-1) Reynolds, Christopher (July 22, 2021). ["A bucket list trip: Pedal through a Northern California forest on old railroad tracks"](https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2021-07-22/people-pedaling-bikes-on-rail-tracks-in-northern-california-forest). Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 13, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Calder, Chris (February 7, 2019). ["Skunk Train's millsite purchase still on hold"](https://www.advocate-news.com/2019/02/07/skunk-trains-millsite-purchase-still-on-hold/). *Fort Bragg Advocate-News*. Retrieved February 12, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-OKgrant_22-0)** Calder, Chris (June 27, 2019). ["Council OKs help on Skunk Train grant"](https://www.advocate-news.com/2019/06/27/council-oks-help-on-skunk-train-grant/). *Fort Bragg Advocate-News*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Parks, Kelci (July 12, 2018). ["Skunk Train seeking grant"](https://www.advocate-news.com/2018/07/12/skunk-train-seeking-grant/). *Fort Bragg Advocate-News*. Retrieved September 21, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Franz, Justin. ["California Western seeks grant to rebuild tunnel and route"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180920084310/http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2018/09/19-califoria-western-seeks-grant-to-rebuild-tunnel-and-route). *Trains NewsWire*. Kalmbach Publishing. Archived from [the original](http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2018/09/19-califoria-western-seeks-grant-to-rebuild-tunnel-and-route) on September 20, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Fixler, Kevin (September 2, 2018). ["North Coast trail bill re-imagines SMART rail operations extending into Mendocino County"](https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8684316-181/north-coast-trail-bill-re-imagines). *The Press Democrat*. Retrieved September 21, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $31.4 Million Loan to Upgrade Critical Rail Lines in California"](https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-announces-314-million-loan-upgrade-critical-rail-lines). *US Department of Transportation*. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Facebook"](https://www.facebook.com/behindtheskunk/posts/pfbid0UNQ1vEEn3CHvwDZPzBwxvysjZfejNqPrDCK7vGTMAhmXYRQaFKFw1EmmMZ68eUnxl). *www.facebook.com*. Retrieved May 14, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Callahan, Mary (June 17, 2019). ["Fort Bragg's Skunk Train owner finalizes buy of 77-acre coastal tract from Georgia-Pacific"](https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/9711249-181/fort-braggs-skunk-train-owner). *The Press Democrat*. Retrieved July 7, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Ting, Eric (December 1, 2021). ["Popular NorCal tourism spot's 'land grab' ignites fight with town"](https://www.sfgate.com/california-politics/article/Skunk-Train-Mendocino-County-Fort-Bragg-16663076.php). *SFGate*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211201123921/https://www.sfgate.com/california-politics/article/Skunk-Train-Mendocino-County-Fort-Bragg-16663076.php) from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Nash, Susan (June 11, 2025). ["Fort Bragg moves forward on Skunk Train mill site development agreement • The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA"](https://mendovoice.com/2025/06/fort-bragg-city-council-votes-to-prepare-memorandum-of-understanding-with-skunk-train-to-govern-former-mill-site/). *The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA*. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKoch1971422_31-0)** [Koch (1971)](#CITEREFKoch1971), p. 422.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_32-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_32-1) ["California Western Railroad"](http://www.trainweb.org/rosters/CWR.html). *www.trainweb.org*. Retrieved May 14, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKoch1971440_33-0)** [Koch (1971)](#CITEREFKoch1971), p. 440.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKoch1971436_34-0)** [Koch (1971)](#CITEREFKoch1971), p. 436.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETahja200853_35-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETahja200853_35-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETahja200853_35-2) [Tahja (2008)](#CITEREFTahja2008), p. 53.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-nrhs_36-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-nrhs_36-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-nrhs_36-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-nrhs_36-3) ["California Western Railroad"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110717004707/http://www5.pair.com/rattenne/nrhs/CWR/CWR.htm). Central Coast Chapter NRHS. Archived from [the original](http://www5.pair.com/rattenne/nrhs/CWR/CWR.htm) on July 17, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cleaves_37-0)** Angier, Jerry; Cleaves, Herb (1986). *Bangor and Aroostook The Maine Railroad*. Flying Yankee Enterprises. p. 265. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9615574-2-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9615574-2-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["Michelle Lambert on The Skunk Train"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060215130032/http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?aid=235644&t=1). December 29, 2003. Archived from [the original](http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?aid=235644&t=1) on February 15, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** ["Transport Fever 2 - Vehicle List - America \[WIP\]"](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1940252420). *Steam Community*. Retrieved August 10, 2020.

### Bibliography

- CWR & Union Lumber corporate records and ULCo/CWR history book manuscript being prepared by K.V. Bunker, 2006.

- Crump, Spencer (1983). *The Skunk Railroad Fort Bragg to Willits*. Glendale, California: Trans-Anglo Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-87046-050-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87046-050-1).

- Crump, Spencer (1988). *Riding the California Western Skunk Railroad: Fort Bragg to Willits*. Corona del Mar, CA: Zeta Publishers Co. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [36988632](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/36988632).

- Crump, Spencer (1998). *Redwoods, Iron Horses, and the Pacific* (Fifth ed.). Fort Bragg, California: California Western Railroad. pp. 65, 90&98. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-918376-12-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-918376-12-2).

- Guido, Francis A. (1965). "California Western's "Super Skunk" Steam Train". *The Western Railroader*. **28** (307). Francis A. Guido: 4.

- Koch, Michael (1971). *The Shay Locomotive Titan of the Timber*. The World Press.

- [LeBaron, Gaye](/source/Gaye_LeBaron) (April 20, 2003). "Skunk Train's colorful history makes it well worth saving". *[The Press Democrat](/source/The_Press_Democrat)*.

- Squires, Wendy (December 19, 2003). ["Sierra Railroad buys historic Skunk Train"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060327091858/http://www.skunktrain.com/images_pdf/press_release_12-19-03.pdf) (PDF). *Press Release*. [Sierra Railroad](/source/Sierra_Railroad). p. 2. Archived from [the original](http://www.skunktrain.com/images_pdf/press_release_12-19-03.pdf) (PDF) on March 27, 2006. Retrieved April 22, 2006.

- Stindt, Fred A. (1985). *The Northwestern Pacific Railroad Volume 2*. Kelseyville, California: Fred A. Stindt. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9615465-0-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9615465-0-6).

- Tahja, Katy M. (2008). *Rails Across the Noyo*. [Comptche, California](/source/Comptche%2C_California): Tahjanjoki Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-933391-28-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-933391-28-4).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [California Western Railroad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:California_Western_Railroad).

- [Skunk Train Home Page](http://www.skunktrain.com/)

- [California Scenic Line, ca. 1900 online photo collection](http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf338nb3r6/), [The Bancroft Library](/source/The_Bancroft_Library)

- [1965 documentary on the return of steam to the route.](http://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/189964)

- [Skunk Train Photos](http://www.steamphotos.com/Railroad-Photos/California-Western-Skunk-Train/23562610_mFrXP9) photo gallery from 2012

- [Skunk Line Stations](http://www.mendorailhistory.org/1_towns/fort_bragg/skunk_line.htm)

- [Mendocino Coast Model Railway And Historical Society](https://mcmrhs.org)

- [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120926054226/http://www.mendorailhistory.org/1_towns/fort_bragg/skunk_line.htm) September 26, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) mile-by-mile guide

[39°26′44″N 123°48′24″W / 39.4455°N 123.8068°W / 39.4455; -123.8068](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=California_Western_Railroad&params=39.4455_N_123.8068_W_type:landmark_region:US-CA)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [California Western Railroad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Western_Railroad) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Western_Railroad?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.