Skunk Train

Located in Northern California’s Mendocino County there is a skunk running through the redwood forest, but this isn’t any skunk, it’s the world-famous Skunk Train. The California redwoods, pristine coastline, and award-winning vineyards are all a part of the landscape of what makes Mendocino County such an amazing place and home to this 133-year-old train.

Regardless of your departure point it’s the occasional whistles as your train chugs through tunnels, over bridges and past open meadows, the train follows the coastal "Redwood Route" as it has since 1885. It is the towering trees, a glimpse of a deer drinking from the Noyo River, an isolated fisherman's cabin peeking from the forest, and the notion that you have left the rest of the world behind that draw people to the Skunk Train.

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Pudding Creek Express

This relaxed and scenic 7-mile roundtrip journey departs the Depot in downtown Fort Bragg year-round, traveling along the beautiful Pudding Creek Estuary and passing into primeval ancient redwoods to the tranquil setting of Glen Blair Junction.

Trains will stop at Glen Blair Junction for roughly 30 minutes, allowing you to get off and stretch your legs and explore. Would you like to spend more time exploring The Glen and enjoying the Redwoods? Arrive on the 11:30 am Pudding Creek Express and leave on the 2:00 pm train, or later. View our roundtrip timetable here.

Round-trip tickets returning from Glen Blair Junction are good on any train running that day. Reservations are only necessary for the first departure purchased.

Depart on the PCE Return at your leisure via the walking path (takes approximately one hour to walk). View our one-way timetable here.

Our new VIP Ticket offering includes advanced boarding, priority concessions, lunch at The Glen, and a free commemorative gift.

These were some of the first tracks ever laid down by the California Western Railroad in 1885, and we've been carrying passengers on them ever since.

We operate both Diesel-Electric engines and our #45 Baldwin 2-8-2 Mikado Steam Engine, the Super Skunk. These engines pull passenger cars, including a bar car with snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, and spirits, as well as an open-air car, perfect for enjoying all this route has to offer.

Pudding Creek Express Fares

Standard Fare: $49.95
VIP Ticket: $89.95
Infant on Lap: Free
Dog: $10.95

To support the ongoing preservation and rehabilitation of our railroad, an 8 percent historic preservation fee will be added to each purchase. Trains and Railbikes run rain or shine. Always dress appropriately. Guests should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure as the train leaves promptly at the departure time. Wheelchair accessible. Some cars might require switching from your chair to a coach seat. 

Railbikes

Sit back, breathe deep, and discover an entirely new way to explore California.
Electric-powered and virtually silent, our custom-built, patent-pending, two-person railbikes will take you breezing along the world-famous Redwood Route. Your group will wend its way along scenic Pudding Creek, cross over majestic wooden trestle bridges, and journey into the heart of the ancient redwoods of Mendocino County.

Pedaling along our historic tracks, bathed in dappled sunlight and a light breeze, you’ll experience a new freedom on the rails, unlike anything else. Without the need to steer, you’re unbound, able to look around at the wonder of this untouched stretch of the natural world, spotting blue herons, osprey, an occasional lounging turtle, perhaps a playful river otter, a deer munching on the foliage, and during peak berry season maybe even a bear.

Disembark at Glen Blair Junction for a 50-minute layover to enjoy a picnic or to journey on foot deeper into the redwoods to walk amongst some giants on our loop trail, past blossoming wild iris and trillium and over the iconic arched stone bridge. Renewed and recharged, you’ll bike back to the depot at Fort Bragg, with photos and memories to last a lifetime.

Our Pudding Creek Railbikes include fare for two people on a side-by-side railbike, with a certified guide leading you on the historic Skunk railroad from the coast to Glen Blair Junction, with a stopover at Glen Blair Junction, which features picnic tables and a redwood loop trail (with both casual and intermediate difficulty options).

Railbikes on the Noyo

Discover a new side of the Redwood Route aboard our new longer experience, Railbikes on the Noyo.

Electric-powered and virtually silent, our custom-built, patent-pending, two-person railbikes will take you breezing along the world-famous Redwood Route.

This new excursion will take you 25 miles far off the beaten path along the meandering Noyo River and deep into old-growth redwood groves, on a section of track now reserved exclusively for our railbikes.

Begin the day at our Sherwood Road property with a scenic hike down through the redwoods to the Noyo River and the east end of Tunnel #1. You’ll get acquainted with your bikes and guides, and set off – trips will be staggered by a few minutes so that you can enjoy the solitude of the route as you make your way 11 miles inland along the tranquil river. You’ll pass South Fork, Ranch, Redwood Lodge, Grove, and other historic stops, crossing over 12 wooden trestle bridges that offer stunning views of the river below. Pull into Camp Noyo and take an hour break, with a picnic and refreshments offered complimentary for your enjoyment. Take a swim in the river, relax, or stroll among the redwoods before setting off home.

This is a strenuous and lengthy trip, requiring excellent mobility to descend to the railbikes from Sherwood Road. During the winter months, this trip can become quite chilly, and we recommend dressing appropriately and with layers.

For those looking for a shorter, less formidable trip, we recommend our Pudding Creek excursion, departing from the Fort Bragg depot.

Railbikes on the Noyo Fares

Rate is $495.00 per bike, with room for two riders.

There is no discount for single riders. To support the ongoing preservation and rehabilitation of our railroad, an 8 percent historic preservation fee will be added to each purchase.

Skunk Train Interview from Skunk Train on Vimeo.