The Northwestern Pacific Railroad was a combination of more than 60 different companies through its history that dates back to 1854. Established as a transportation line for the redwood lumber industry, its territory covered the Pacific Coast near San Francisco to Humboldt County, near the Oregon state line.
The variety of trains ranged from wooden monorails and narrow-gauge steam lines to gas- and diesel-powered engines. Smaller railroad companies such as the Eureka Southern Railroad managed portions of the territory but eventually closed due to financial issues. Today, the railroad line is still in operation but the northern end has been abandoned due to financial issues and damage from high water and landslides.
The Roaring Camp and Big Trees narrow-gauge railroad, based in Felton, offers one-hour tours through the redwood forests on its steam engines that date back to 1890. Each trip includes historical narration by the conductors and travels through the redwood groves, over a number of trestles and up to the summit of Bear Mountain.
During weekdays from November through the end of December, passengers can ride on the historic 14-passenger Milwaukee Motor Car instead of the steam train. The railroad also offers a variety of packages that include: birthday parties, company picnics and general groups, weddings, school Groups -- educational tours that include Civil War reenactments and activities that range from panning for gold to making candles -- tour groups and the Eco Hike Outdoor Adventure, that includes guided tours of the forest.
Dining options include a wide variety of menu items but require a minimum purchase of 25 meals. As of November 2010, tickets prices are $21.50 and $15.50 for children under 12.
The Skunk Train is a historic railroad line that runs on 40 miles of tracks between Fort Bragg and Willits in northern California. Established as a logging railroad line, it was named after the yellow rail cars that created a foul smell from the original gas engines. Today, it offers passengers daily rides on the 1925 M-100 motor car (the only remaining train of its kind) as well as the 1935 M-300.
During the summer months, the line adds three trains: a 1950s diesel engine, the Old No. 45, and the 1924 Baldwin steam locomotive. The tours leave from Fort Bragg and Willits and travel through miles of redwood forests over 30 bridges and two mountain tunnels with a stop at Northspur for a view of a large redwood grove on the banks of the Noyo River.
Journeys are one-way or four-hour roundtrip. In summer the train has special tours including an overnighter package. As of November 2010, ticket prices were $47 and $22 for childen from Fort Bragg and $40 and $22 from Willits.
