MENDOCINO COUNTY’S WORLD-FAMOUS SKUNK TRAIN ANNOUNCES NEW RAILBIKE EXPERIENCE ALONG THE NOYO RIVER

Breeze Along the Tracks, Picnic, Hike and Swim Under California’s Ancient Redwoods

The historic Skunk Train, Mendocino’s most beloved attraction, has launched a brand-new excursion built around their wildly popular Railbikes, which takes riders along the Noyo River in custom-built, two-person, pedal-powered rail cars. ‘Railbikes on the Noyo’ experience allows riders to skim along the tracks, penetrating deep into the woods through breathtaking scenery. With no need to steer, and the ability to flip a switch to enable an electric assist, riders can drink in the lush woods and wildlife, and get up close and personal with nature.

“One of the most unique ways to see the famed Redwood Route® is via the Skunk Train’s Railbikes,” states Robert Pinoli, President of the Skunk Train’s parent company, Mendocino Railway. “This new ‘Railbikes on the Noyo’ trip is for the more adventurous of spirit and offers miles of travel in the pristine mountain air that has you crossing the Noyo River countless times on this stretch of track reserved exclusively for our railbikes.”

The day begins at the Skunk Train’s Sherwood Road property, with a scenic hike down through the redwoods to the Railbikes on the river. Railbikes glide inland, 25 miles off the beaten path, crossing over wooden trestle bridges that offer stunning views of the river below. The four-hour round-trip excursions are staggered to better enjoy the solitude of the route, with approximately 3 hours of pedaling (90 minutes each way). The destination is Camp Noyo, where riders disembark for an hour break with a complimentary picnic and refreshments. Riders can then enjoy a swim in the river, relax, or journey on foot deeper into the redwoods to walk amongst majestic trees, blooming wildflowers and carpets of ferns before beginning the trek back to the starting point.

‘Railbikes on the Noyo’ is a strenuous and lengthy trip, requiring excellent mobility to descend to the railbikes from Sherwood Road. The hike down to the Noyo River is rugged, so this trip is only appropriate for riders who are in good physical shape and able to endure 15 stories of hiking. Children 6 and over only, and riders must be 18 to ride solo on a Railbike.  For those looking for a shorter, less formidable trip, the ‘Railbikes on Pudding Creek’ excursion, departing from the Fort Bragg depot, is recommended.

For further information on the new ‘Railbikes on the Noyo’ experience, visit https://www.skunktrain.com/railbikes-on-the-noyo/

To find out more about ‘Railbikes on Pudding Creek,’ please visit https://www.skunktrain.com/railbikes/.

About the Skunk Train

Located in the redwood forests of Northern California’s Mendocino County, the Skunk Train is a heritage railroad that has been operating since 1885. Trains depart from the railroad’s headquarters in the coastal town of Fort Bragg, as well as from the frontier town of Willits. This scenic railroad experience has been regarded as one of the “10 Best Rail Tours in the Country” (USA Today), and one of the “Top 10 Family Activities in California” (National Geographic Traveler).

Riders of Mendocino’s celebrated Skunk Train journey into Redwood forests on vintage steam locomotives while enjoying 40 miles of scenic delights, 30 bridges crossing mountain streams, and an 840-foot tunnel. Initially used to move redwood logs to the Mendocino Coast sawmills from the rugged back country, the Skunk Train has become one of the most beloved attractions in Northern California. The railroad was built in 1885, and 136 years later, it has retained all of its original charm – minus the pungent smell the engines used to emit, when people used to say you could “smell the Skunk before you could see it.” Operating year-round, the Skunk Train is a multi-generational experience, and riders can even bring along the family dog.

The nickname Skunk originated in 1925 when motorcars were introduced (which today are sometimes referred to as rail buses). These single unit self-propelled motorcars had gasoline powered engines for power and pot-bellied stoves (burning crude oil to keep the passengers warm). The combination of the fumes created a very pungent odor, and the old timers living along the line said these motorcars were like skunks, “You could smell them before you could see them.”

The view from the Skunk Train’s restored rail cars remains largely unchanged since the late 1800s. Regardless of the departure point, riders experience a journey back in time, while the California Redwoods provide an awe-inspiring backdrop for this rolling piece of American history.