Behind The Skunk

Name: Behind The Skunk
Address: 100 W Laurel Street, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437, US
Telephone: +17079646371

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Behind The Skunk

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Behind The Skunk, Cargo and freight company, 100 W Laurel Street, Fort Bragg, CA.

02/27/2026

Hard at work in the car shop! The skunk team is currently deep in the rehabilitation of our concession car number 699 as well as the creation of our Willits presidential class car, “NOYO.” The 699 has received extensive bodywork paint preparation and is currently receiving it’s two part high-performance urethane paint job. You can see how much work went into new body panels, paint preparation and rebuilding of the vestibules.

On the NOYO, the exterior has already been painted in the interior is being finished in a mid-century modern style with a nod to Otto Kuhler and other industrial designers of the era. Do not miss the opportunity to come visit us and see the results of the handiwork. We look forward to seeing each and everyone of you here along the redwood route.

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

01/22/2026

Maintenance of way is a huge part of running a railroad! On average, a railroad will have 3200 ties per mile, and these ties last a maximum if 30 years, sometimes less. This means for a railroad to continue to exist at its current maintenance level, one needs to change around 107 ties per mile per year. Here at the California Western, we are going through a capital upgrade, where we invest in more maintenance than the bare minimum to upgrade service, and increase reliability of the physical plant. We are replacing every fourth tie on average or approximately 800 ties per mile. We have mostly completed this work on the Willits Subdivision, and this winter our attention is on the Fort Bragg Subdivision. Keep up the great work team MOW!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

12/04/2025

Track work….

The new tie project continues as hundreds more ties go in every week. In addition, areas of track are receiving new ballast, raising, lining, and surfacing to restore that “smooth” ride! Thank you for your interest in the work that keeps this railroad running, in present and into the future!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

10/15/2025

Great progress around the Skunk Train the last few weeks! The shop crew is hard at work on the next passenger car rebuild and is creating an additional premium service car as our Presidential Class service has been a hit! Running gear is rebuilt, brake system rehabilitated, and now work is well underway on the body and paint. The kitchen car is also almost complete, and even sports a chandelier for our “Chef’s Table” ultra lux meals at the Glen. The track department continues the major tie replacement project with hundreds of ties going in each week, ditching, and other work prior to lining and surfacing. The deck at Glen Blair Junction is nearing completion with full ADA ramp for access to the kitchen and restroom cars. Finally, new paint and work is underway on the Willits fleet with high performance urethane. Great progress and building for the future, be sure to join us here on the Redwood Route!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

09/20/2025

Work continues on all fronts here at the Skunk! Steam locomotive 45 continues its heavy boiler work with the replacement of the majority of the firebox and backhead. The lower firebox sheets are being replaced as are former vertical seams in the side sheets. The sheets at the mud ring are thick and suitable for properly attaching the new material which is on hand. We have extensively trained boiler makers on staff allowing us to do our own pressure vessel work in house.

Santa Cruz Portland Cement 2 was out and about today preparing for a very special wedding. Care to celebrate your special day in steamy fashion? We can help!

In other news, our kitchen boxcar is nearing completion with all systems installed and final fittings going in. Air curtains over the doors will allow seamless food service while eliminating unwanted visitors from the great outdoors.

Finally, work is well underway to prepare an additional premium service car as our presidential class service is hauling the mail so to speak. Look for another addition to the California Western fleet in the next few months!

As always, thank you for your interest and please do come and see us. The redwoods are dandy in fall, and there is no better way to see them than from the Skunk Train!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

09/13/2025

Please enjoy this short film highlighting our Restroom Boxcar, converted in our very own Fort Bragg shops!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

08/20/2025

More progress on multiple fronts around the Skunk Train! Locomotive 45’s backhead and doorsheet have bern removed to facilitate replacement with appropriate knuckled sheets as was original. Work on the kitchen car is well along with appliances, plumbing, and the hot water heater going in. Finally, the deck at Glen Blair Junction for access to the restroom and kitchen boxcars is nearing completion! As always, thank you for your interest and we hope to see you all here at the Redwood Route, real soon!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

08/14/2025

Lots of progress around the CWR these days. Of great interest is the beginning of work to rehabilitate California Western 45 to service. The locomotive was switched out and removal of the tender and cab achieved to gain access to the back head of the boiler. This pressure vessel will require at minimum a new back head, door sheet, and crown sheet, stay tuned for more progress reports week by week!

In other news, caboose 11’s restoration by our friends in the Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society is coming along nicely!

Finally, the track department continues the major tie replacement program with over 700 new ties going in the railroad per month! They are just starting to hit their stride and we have another 28,000 new ties to install!

Thank you for your interest and we hope to see you all in Skunk Country soon!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

06/19/2025

Lots of progress around the Skunk Train these days! Our steam locomotive annual inspection with the Federal Railroad Administration went well as always, and SCPC 2 is ready for operation starting June 28th!

In other news, repainting of our coach fleet continues with preparation for the final coat of high performance urethane paint for coach 697.

Finally, after 70 years it was time to replace one of the tracks leading into our “roundhouse.” This project will be wrapped up tomorrow.

Finally, our Presidential Class service aboard the “Redwood” is a hit! Do not miss the opportunity to see what premium service is all about!

The show never stops at the Skunk Train and we would love to share what we do here with you. We hope to see you here on the Redwood Route real soon!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

05/24/2025

And into first light, the first test runs of the Presidential Class Car “Redwood” were very successful! First class cocktail service launches tomorrow on the Pudding Creek Express. With velvet seats, plush carpet, copper bartop, and Balinese artwork, this car is stunning inside. However, the curated menu of cocktails and mocktails, accompanied by hors d’oeveres prepared by our in house Executive Chef will be sure to make this adventure in the redwoods, one to never be forgotten!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

05/19/2025

Our Presidential Class car “Redwood” is nearing completion for the first departure this weekend! Featuring signature cocktails and full amenities, this car is sure not to disappoint. The last details are going in now, from our velvet seating, to our new black walnut restroom doors, do not miss the opportunity to ride like the President of the Railroad!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

Address

100 W Laurel Street
Fort Bragg, CA
95437

Telephone

+17079646371

Website

http://www.skunktrain.com/

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