Mendocino Railway Embarks on a Historic Infrastructure Project on their 20th Anniversary
Press release from Mendocino Railway:
Mendocino Railway, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sierra Railroad Company proudly announces a significant moment in its history as it celebrates its 20th anniversary on May 1, 2024, marking two decades since it revived the California Western Railroad / Skunk Train (CWR) from bankruptcy. Mendocino Railway is also embarking on an historic infrastructure project, putting its recently awarded Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan funds to work, starting on May 28th, at Tunnel #1’s east portal along the Noyo River.
The journey to this point has been one of revival, resilience, and commitment. In 2004, Mendocino Railway acquired the CWR, reviving it and preserving freight and passenger service for the community. This acquisition marked the beginning of a $30 million transformation of the line.
Mendocino Railway now stands at the threshold of a new chapter, having secured a $21 million RRIF loan from the Build America Bureau (BAB), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The RRIF loan program exists to further the DOT’s policy of ensuring that communities—especially rural and underserved communities—will continue to benefit from freight and non-excursion rail service, providing funds to restore and rehabilitate railroad infrastructure. The DOT granted its RRIF loan to Mendocino Railway for those precise purposes. The loan will be instrumental in allowing Mendocino Railway to make necessary line improvements, including restoring Tunnel #1.
Mendocino Railway’s President, Robert Jason Pinoli, stated, “This is an exciting time as 2024 marks my 32nd year of railroading. The CWR holds a special place in my heart and this RRIF loan brings our combined investment in the line to more than $50 million. It’s a crucial step towards ensuring that the CWR remains capable of providing passenger and freight rail service to our communities for years to come.”
The objectives of Mendocino Railway’s project include rehabilitating Tunnel #1, replacing rails and ties, making siding improvements, and improving 27 bridges. These enhancements will rejuvenate a vital transportation corridor and help bring economic opportunities to Mendocino County’s people and businesses.
Securing this loan is a testament to Mendocino Railway’s perseverance and dedication, as the process began nearly four years ago, in May/June 2020, when Mendocino Railway submitted its initial interest letter for RRIF and the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit assistance. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) initiated its review of the environmental, legal, and engineering aspects of the project in August 2020, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Despite challenges—including delays caused by the City of Fort Bragg and the California Coastal Commission (“CCC”)—Mendocino Railway remained steadfast in its commitment and the FRA completed a thorough environmental review, culminating in the issuance of a Categorical Exclusion in July 2022. In response to CCC concerns, the FRA conducted additional review before affirming its initial determination. Mendocino Railway emphasizes its commitment to environmental stewardship and assures the public that the FRA conducted a comprehensive review of the project, fulfilling its NEPA responsibility.
This monumental achievement reflects upon the CWR’s profound transformation since 2004: from the brink of closure to record-breaking milestones, this journey symbolizes the strength of Mendocino Railway’s vision and the unwavering support of its staff, visitors, and supporters. This journey would not have been successful without the added support of the DOT and BAB, for which Mendocino Railway is grateful.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the CWR’s revival, Mendocino Railway’s President, Robert Jason Pinoli, reflects, “The transformation of this iconic railway stands as a testament to perseverance and dedication. It’s a journey that showcases the remarkable spirit of our team and the enduring legacy of the railroad. We are pleased to be able to improve our infrastructure so as to maintain our rail services to the community.”
As Mendocino Railway marks this milestone and embarks on this historic endeavor, it extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who have been a part of this extraordinary journey, especially the FRA and BAB. Mendocino Railway looks forward to together ushering in a new era of transportation excellence, ensuring the CWR remains an integral part of our community for years to come.
California Western Railroad / Skunk Train, located in the redwood forests of Northern California’s Mendocino County, is a heritage railroad that has offered and provided freight and passenger service since 1885. Initially used to move redwood logs from the rugged backcountry to coastal sawmills, the Skunk Train has become a beloved institution touted as one of the “10 Best Rail Tours in the Country” (USA Today) and a “Top 10 Family Activity in California” (National Geographic Traveler). The Skunk Train journey covers 40 miles of scenic delights, 30 bridges, and an 840-foot tunnel, while retaining its original charm—minus the pungent aroma that historically preceded its arrival. Operating year-round, this multigenerational experience welcomes passengers to bring their families, friends, and even dogs, ensuring a memorable and inclusive adventure. For tickets and more information, visit www.skunktrain.com or call (707) 964-6371. But the railroad’s operations are not limited to its Skunk Train. Mendocino Railway also offers non-tourist and common carrier rail freight services in the Ft. Bragg to Willits corridor, something the line has offered since 1885. Mendocino Railway is vigorously pursuing infrastructure improvements using RRIF loan funding to improve its existing freight services and will be instituting new transload and other rail services to take polluting trucks off community roads and put that freight on rail.
Sierra Railroad Company, is a pioneer in the energy, freight, and passenger rail industries. With Sierra Energy, Sierra Northern Railway, Mendocino’s California Western Railroad / Skunk Train, Sacramento’s River Fox Train, and Ventura’s Sunburst Train, we embody the essential spirit of California, our home since the 1800s; bridging history with sustainability, connectivity, innovation, and growth while providing valuable services to California’s businesses and residents and helping craft memorable experiences for visitors. For more information, visit www.sierrarailroad.com.
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Been awhile but used to be a train that ran all the way to Carlotta. Hauled tourists and for a time gravel. What maybe 25 30 years ago?
I remember the old train in Alton. .
Such a cool way to travel,
>”… existing freight services and will be instituting new transload and other rail services to take polluting trucks off community roads and put that freight on rail.”
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This is a joke… yes ? A $21 million joke ?
Its good news for our skunk line, its not a joke!
The joke is the corrupt local politicians who have done everything in their power to harm the reputation and to ultimately shut down this important rail line.
Long live our local skunk train!
Maybe haul logs?
Fort Bragg City Council hoped this would never happen, they dont want the Skunk line to have legal status as a transportation line! Very corrupt Fort Bragg City Council! Congratulation Robert! Very exciting the loan was improved and now the Skunk train tracks between Willits and Fort Bragg will once again be a vital link of transportation between the two towns.
Too bad BRUCE BURTON using his powers as Mayor illegally and in a move that was considered corrupt by most swooped up the old Remco Facility on the Willits side of the line out from under the Skunk train around 2016; the good news is the town people of Willits pin pointed Burtons corruption and voted him out of office at the next election.
Long live our local skunk train!
Long live Jackson State Forest!
Together we work to save both Jackson State Forest and our legendary Skunk train line.
Against all odds and against the corruption of the Fort Bragg City council you have managed to pull the Skunk line out of bankrupted status through your excellent management of this very important line that links the two communities.
I think the Rail Road wants that Georgia Pacific property… as do other er… ‘entities’.
— web stuff
The Skunk Train used eminent domain to take over almost 300 acres of prime property in Fort Bragg, but the city is contesting the railway’s authority to take the land.
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As far as ‘reality’ goes, there is no reason to have an ‘industrial’ rail service to Fort Bragg.
With the end of (most) sawmills, end of the Salmon fishing industry, the only thing keeping Fort Bragg alive is (what’s left of) the San Francisco tourist industry. CARB, with gas prices going to $10 might kill that one too.
Only thing the er… ‘loan’ does is to give the RR a leg up (using an old obscure domain law) on getting that property. (The law requires a ‘commercially viable’ railroad.)
Unfortunately, the Skunk Railroad is a tourist attraction.
Nothing is going to change that fact. Guess they will load up a few containers of groceries (or something), haul them to FB.
Then there is nothing to go on the return trip.
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Bummer.
The wineries in the Anderson Valley could ship their product via train along with both Anderson Valley Brewery and North Coast Brewing Co. There could be a lot of outbound shipping from Fort Bragg.
>”There could be a lot of outbound shipping from Fort Bragg.”
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Well… what is it ?
Jackson state forest Redwoods are being illegally logged by cal fire and loggers. Stop them.
So much blowing in this puff piece. The CCC and the City of Fort Bragg are fighting in court to get Mendocino Railway to abide by state and local environmental codes when it develops a giant swath of FB, which they refuse to do cuz they think they’re freakin Amtrak. Scooped up the whole GP site behind the city’s back through eminent domain and got it for a song.
This is a giant puff piece with few specifics. And this company wanted to Disneyfy Fort Bragg by claiming it owned the entire rail corridor and conrolled all future development – All under the guise of rail service.
That is not true, Just Saying. The plans to “Disneyfy” Fort Bragg were plans that i had worked with the City for 5 years. Go review the dozens of planning commission meetings where those plans were discussed and jointly made. When the City got mad over a fight for the southern parcel, they have distanced themselves from those plans, but the City was very involved in their design.
The City prescribed that it wanted 300 housing units and the type of density. They City stated they wanted a commercial extension on Redwood Avenue. The City stated they wanted a destination hotel with meeting space. The City asked for major setbacks and open space, and the railroad adhered to the distances and was planning on 45% open space. The City was not sure about the railroad portion of the plans, but that was only about 5% of the project.
And no, it was not “All under the guides of rail service.” That a 100% false statement. The railroad and City had discussed a Master Development Agreement that would have specified what was and was not railroad items. The former Vice Mayor who spread rumors by saying they feared the railroad would claim it all as rail service but there were zero facts to support those fears. They also conflict with how we had been working within the City’s planning process since 2017.
IIRC, they want to turn the GP site into a railroad theme park or something. GP won because they don’t have to clean up their brownfield, and the Skunk Train wants to be a real
boyrailroad so they don’t have to clean it up either, or at least won’t have to pay for it. I also remember they tried to pull the eminent domain crap on a property owner in Willits so the owner sued; that didn’t go their way because they’re not a realboyrailroad. To be a real railroad their spur has to connect to a national rail line and they can’t just do tourist excursions, they have to haul stuff.My concern is that they want several miles of the main line in an area that would be very difficult to route the Great Redwood Trail around.
Too bad the Skunk couldnt get that piece of Land across from KOA Campground on Highway 20. It used to be a gorgeous piece of priperty until the idiot who bought it now destroyed it with toxic fill and brought truckload after truckload of junk garbage and junk industrial debris. I have called the county complaining a few times but nothing had changed, the idiot doesnt even have a fill permit and the soil i am told is toxic fill he was paid to accept That property was a gorgeous meadow that had sheep for decades, now its a mess and eyesore on the left heading West before KOA Campground.
I cant stand people who buy nice pieces of land and then just trash them. He needs a fat fine and order to clean up his mess and get that toxic fill, about 50,000 illegal yards of toxic fill tested to see what crap is in there. Enuff is enuff
Korina, please share how the railroad is not cleaning it up. Since the railroad purchased its first parcel in 2019, it has followed DTSC guidelines for remediating the millsite, which now has over 90% of the land remediated. For the remaining section, the railroad opened a developer’s account in 2022 and it paying to have the plans made for the remaining portion. While people like yourself gossip what the railroad won’t do, the railroad has actually been doing the work.
Regarding the Great Redwood Trail, the railroad simply wants rail & trail to coexist. There would be no rerouting. Trail and Track coexist in Marin and Sonoma, but once you get to Mendocino County the rich county plan ends. Instead, they will bury the rail line and put the trail right on top. The County will lose its rail connection to make way for trail, but they won’t consider letting trail & track to coexist. I think that is horribly shortsighted for the economy and environment of Mendocino.
Very short sighted indeed, I think the Skunk needs to do some PR and website detailing what has been accomplished and how Mendo Rail follows the laws. Fort Bragg tried to ruin the Skinks Reputation and continues to spread misinformation.
Mendo Rail have been good neighbors with me for over 25 years on my acreage. The rail needs to coexist with the Old North Western Corridor from Dos Rios or Willits South. I can understand not widening the Rail through Middle Eel from Dos Rios North. But culverts and old trestles and tunnels need to be brought up to enviro regs.
Long lIve the Mighty Skunk Train.
You guys are doing a great job!
From what I understand, the miles you want are in a very narrow place next to a river without room for both rail and trail.
What does MR plan on shipping and where? I’m not familiar with Fort Bragg.
Right Side,
Mendocino Railway abides by all federal, state and local codes. The CCC and City are trying to change the railroad’s public utility status but that doesn’t change the railroad’s status as a common carrier railroad.
The railroad has not refused to abide by environmental codes. Name one code the railroad has not adhered.
The railroad did not “scoop up” the whole site as you say. First, MR purchased 77 acres in 2019. Second, another 14 acres was purchased in 2021. And then third, the railroad purchased another 210 acres later in 2021. The City was fully aware of the MR’s efforts. The railroad was meeting with the City Manager every 2 weeks discussing this and the CM was fine with MR doing so. The City Council changed its mind, however, on May 4, 2021 and betrayed the trust of MR that had been fully sharing its activities with the City.
For that third purchase, MR did use “friendly eminent domain” to buy the land. GP did not oppose the transaction and was fine with the price that wasn’t that much different than what the City was reportedly offering.
“How to Throw away $21million, in One Easy Step”
Didn’t the shady owner try to use eminent domain to take over someone’s land to build a campground.
This guy is like an old school railroad owner from the 1800s.
Skunk should have got that land, it would have been better for the land than what the person who owns it now has done, which is trash it with trash and toxic fill.
What as a gorgeous meadow is now a junk yard
Shadey owner is the Joe Dirt guy on Hwy 20 who prevailed and prevailed at also trashing a gorgeous piece of land. Hopefully the county makes him clean it up and checks permits for the toxic tainted fill he is using to reach Hwy 20 Highway elevation on the left before Koa westbounf Hwy 20 2 Miles from Willita on before train crossing.