A Trip Into The Northern California Redwoods By Rail Or Rail Bike
This famous train and railway in Ft. Bragg, California was originally formed to haul timber and transport people from logging camps in the 1880s. The nickname “skunk” came from gasoline-powered railbuses, used to transport people across the rail line. To keep passengers warm they used a pot-bellied stove that burned crude oil and the combination of fumes caused passengers to say the railbuses smelled like skunks.
The railbuses are long gone, but the “Skunk Train” still rides the rails taking visitors on a two-hour, seven-mile, round-trip journey that starts from the station in Ft. Bragg, and heads into the Redwoods toGlen Blair Junction.
Several adventures are available on the Skunk Train, including a guided Redwood tour with lunch, the Glen Blair Bar tour with music, alcoholic drinks, and more. We, however, had always wanted to take the Rail Bikes, four-wheel rail cars that pedal like an electric-assist bicycle. Several Rail Bike tours range from the basic two-hour round-trip to a 25-mile, or night tour.
The rail bikes seat two people and prices are $265 per bike. If you’re staying somewhere locally, however, check your hotel for discounted tickets you can purchase in advance. We stayed at the beautiful Little River Inn on the Mendocino coast. It’s a historic 80+-year-old well-appointed inn with dining and a golf course, and it’s close to many local beaches and hiking areas you’ll want to visit.
Our Skunk Train rail bike tour began with signing in at the depot in town, then it’s a short walk to the station where the rail bikes are held. Guides set up the bikes, give a good orientation of how to operate them, use of hand signals, and where they will stop along the Redwoods for information and photos. If you have pets, crates are available to set on the rail bikes, and several riders brought their pets along to enjoy the ride.
We were scheduled for the first morning ride and although the sun was out and it was a warm 72 degrees, the guides all had jackets on. Once you pedal through the Redwoods, the temperature drops significantly, so you should keep your sweaters and hoodies handy. The guides also provided water and popcorn for the ride, which was a nice and unexpected touch.
Pedaling the rail bikes was easy, and although the handbrakes were rusty and loud, everything worked well. The guides adjust the seats for you before heading out and the rider on the right of the rail bike controls the throttle and brake on these battery-assisted vehicles.
After leaving town and traversing the main streets via railroad crossings, yes people in cars have to stop for you, we made our way into the Redwoods. Several stops point out unique areas along the way before reaching the Glen Blair Junction. Here you deboard the rail bikes and the guides turn the rail bikes around. It takes about an hour and in the meantime, you can bring a lunch and eat under the huge open barn filled with tables, chairs, and fire pits. There’s also a short hike nearby that immerses you in the redwoods and ferns. Restrooms are also at this location and after 10-15 minutes, the Skunk Train pulls in. Those who rode the train also departed for about 30 minutes. Rail bikers can walk and tour the train, which also offers drinks, ice cream, and cocktails.
The guides call back the train riders and the rail bikers are also called to get situated for the pedal back to the station. If you’ve never done this tour, it’s a great experience and we will be heading back soon for the longer 25-mile tour. For more information on the Skunk Train, visit https://www.skunktrain.com/
