Behind The Skunk

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

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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.

09/26/2026

Locomotive 45 Update! Work is continuing in ernest on the rebuild of the pressure vessel for locomotive 45 in the Fort Bragg shops. The boiler barrel has been cleaned and coated on the outside with high temperature protective paint and the inside has been coated with the steam rated boiler protectant known as apexior, a product that has existed since at least the 1920s. In addition, firebox patches are going in on the side sheets and the new crown sheet has been rolled and is being laid out for crownbolt holes. The wrapper sheet has been repaired from some of the damage that had been done when the full pe*******on welded staybolts were installed approximately 25 years ago and those holes are being renewed for the new staybolts and crownbolts that will be installed after the sheet work. There is much work to be done such as removing the existing flexible staybolt sleeves, and repairing the holes that had been damaged in assembly in the distant past, as well as the fabrication of the new back head and door sheet However, the progress continues and we look forward to being able to update you with more accomplishments soon. We look forward to seeing you along the Redwood route!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

08/01/2026

Presidential Class Service, coming soon to Willits…

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

07/15/2026

Steam locomotive alert! CWR 45, is getting some much needed firebox work, and these photos show the fabrication of a new firebox doorsheet utilizing a McCabe Flanger. This machine is over 120 years old and is owned by our GM, and it does a great job of creating the compound curves in steel that are required. The team is well along on this half of the sheet, stay tuned for more updates!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

07/03/2026

A few sneak peaks of what is soon to roll out of the Skunk Train shops! Our presidential class service, launched last year with the REDWOOD, has been very successful and we have been working hard to create a car worthy of the same class of service for operation in Willits. So we drew inspiration from the likes of Raymond Loewy and Otto Kuhler, and have created the latest presidential class offering, the NOYO. Here is a sneak peek at whats in store, stand by for the full unveiling soon!!

Skunk Train
SkunkTrain.com

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

Address

100 W Laurel Street
Fort Bragg, CA
95437

Telephone

+17079646371

Website

http://www.skunktrain.com/

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