FORT BRAGG
– Bankrupt and closed since the summer, the historic California
Western Railroad is rejuvenated with its purchase by the Sierra
Railroad Company. The 118-year-old CWR is known as the
”
Skunk Train
”
and is famous for its gorgeous route from Fort Bragg on the
Mendocino coast through redwood forests to Willits.
Special to The Dispatch
FORT BRAGG – Bankrupt and closed since the summer, the historic California Western Railroad is rejuvenated with its purchase by the Sierra Railroad Company. The 118-year-old CWR is known as the “Skunk Train” and is famous for its gorgeous route from Fort Bragg on the Mendocino coast through redwood forests to Willits.
The Sierra railroad is no “newcomer” to the railroading industry with this year marking Sierra’s 107th year of operation.
“This piece of living, breathing American history has been saved,” said Robert J. Pinoli, vice president for Sierra Entertainment, a division of Sierra Railroad that oversees all passenger operations. “Sierra Railroad recognizes the loss that Skunk would cause to the economy of Mendocino County and feels that it can take the operation to the next level.”
Sierra plans to open in May 2004, its normal season opening.
Sierra’s railroad operations include freight operations throughout Northern California; track maintenance and repair, dinner trains; diesel and steam locomotive excursions and railroad-related movie-making.
In essence, Sierra plans to offer three different services, directed at three different markets, which Sierra hopes will greatly expand the Skunk’s ridership. Sierra sees the Skunk’s line between Fort Bragg and Northspur – a scenic 21-mile line along Pudding Creek and the Noyo River – as the Skunk’s flagship line. Sierra plans to expand steam locomotive service over this line.
Sierra also plans to keep “TrainSinger” Greg Schindel, whose lively character has been a signature of the skunk’s for nearly two decades.
Sierra’s unique combination of unspoiled terrain and historic equipment has provided a great setting for movies. Sierra’s locomotives, trains and tracks have been featured in more than 300 films and television shows. So many, in fact, that Sierra is know as the “Movie Railroad” and “Hollywood’s Favorite Railroad.” Stars like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Grace Kelly, Gary Cooper, Michael Landon, Michael J. Fox and Drew Barrymore have ridden the Sierra to make movies. Sierra’s relationship with the entertainment industry not only generated business for Sierra but for its surrounding communities and other businesses as well.
For more information about the historic Sierra railroad and the “Golden Sunset Dinner Train,” visit www.sierrarailroad.com.
