Page 99 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021 DISCOVERING MENDOCINO

THE SKUNK TRAIN

A visit to Mendocino wouldn’t be complete
without a ride through the redwoods on the his-
toric 136-year-old Skunk Train. Like so many
folks, we wondered about the source of its nose-
wrinkling name. Changes a century ago are the
culprits. In 1925 the rail line replaced its steam
engines with gas engines and introduced pot-bel-
lied stoves fueled by crude oil to keep the passen-
gers warm. The combined fuel fumes produced a
pungent odor. Folks along the tracks complained
the trains were like skunks; you could smell them
before you saw them. Not to worry, the train no
longer produce the offensive smells, but they
kept the cute name.
Our on-board adventure began on a cool but
sunny fall day at the Skunk Train station. The
building exterior and ticket window looked un-
changed by time. But inside was a modern large
gift shop with every train souvenir imaginable.
There also were spotless restrooms, something
most important to road trippers.
We waited outside, where lots of benches
waited next to the tracks where the train was be-
ing readied for its next run. The number of people
waiting to board surprised us — lots of families
and several couples escorting their dogs for what
was obviously a pet-friendly train ride. We were
told the best viewing was on the train’s left side,
which turned out to be true and important for
travel photographers and railroad buffs. Many
passengers watched the scenery go by in stand-up
viewing cars between the two passenger cars with
bench seats. All passengers and crew were wear-
ing the required masks and kept socially dis-

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