Skunk Train in Willits, California
Date: Mar 15th, 2008 7:40:10 pm - Subscribe
Mood: charmed
This is a common site for me as I stroll about town in Willits, California. Though I see the train a lot sitting like some old relic horse on the tracks near the renovated train station, I have never ridden the train.
I've often daydreamed about the ride through the majestic Redwoods just outside of town. Willits is the gateway to the redwoods. An archway as you enter the city announces its regal designation.
I hear it is a fascinating, scenic and very enjoyable ride. I definitely have it on my "to do list" in the near future. When I finally do take the skunk train tour, I'll take my camera for some first hand photos. Watch for them on this blog.
My mother in law lives in Willits, a medium sized town nestled at the base of the gateway to the redwoods, just atop the mountain climb from Ukiah, California right on magic Highway 101. It's the kind of town to visit for some old fashiioned scenery and good old fashioned folks. The skunk train is just one of the attractions you will find there.
It would be fitting to put some facts about the Skunk Train on this post
Visit this website for more information:
http://www.trainweb.org/carl/SkunkTrain/SkunkTrainWillits.html
"The "Skunk M 100" is a diesel powered motor car built in 1925. When she makes her run from Fort Bragg to Willits, it is through the Redwood Forest and along the Noyo River. It crosses over 31 bridges and trestles and passes through two of the line's deep mountain tunnels. On this day, from Willits to Northspur and back, we'll see the dryer eastern slope of the mountain range until we reach Tunnel #2 then redwood and fir forests and the 'towns' of Crowley, Clare Mill, and Shake City before arriving at Northspur. "
" At Northspur Station, the first train to arrive awaits the other and luggage, including bicycles, and passengers who are on a through ticket, are transferred and both trains are off to either Fort Bragg, or, like us, back to Willits. Waiting passengers are entertained by either The Train Singer or The Walkin' Blues Man. When the train with the cafe car arrives, any passenger can board and buy food items. The station itself has clothing items and ice cream. A more picturesque station would be hard to imagine."
-above information taken from www.trainweb.org-
This is the famous welcome to Willits that I mentioned earlier:
On behalf of the Willits Chamber of Commerce, welcome to Willits, California!
"Gateway to the Redwoods ~ Heart of Mendocino County."
The people are friendly in Willits, so get out of your vehicle and take a walkabout. It's the perfect town in which to reminisce about those bygone train days.
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