[Bill Swindell]

Here is a short video taken from the cab of a GP-9 on the Skunk Train between Fort Bragg, CA and Northspur.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbJfp16jHKE

 

[Richard Smith]

Bill,

Nice video. That line's so overgrown it almost looked like someone's garden railroad! Does the Cal Western have any steam locos running anymore?

 

[Bill Swindell]

It actually is very beautiful. It's almost like riding through the forest on a logging railroad.

I was amazed the first time that I went on this trip.

They do have a steamer. It's a Baldwin 2-8-2 that runs Wednesday through Sunday for the lunch train during the summer. I think it still runs on Saturdays through the end of September.

I want to make some sort of holder for the camera that I can tape to the window so that I can make a longer video. Holding the camera with one hand while the other hand is working the controls in the engine gets sort of tiring after a few minutes. I also want it to work on the M-300 motorcar that runs out of Willits too. That track is REALLY crooked.

 

[Richard Smith]

Yes that has always been a beautiful ride. I rode Ft. Bragg to Willits several times and even a couple of railfan specials behind No. 45. The nicest ride though was one time when I rode in M-300. The view from those nice windows was better than from the coaches behind 2-8-2 no. 45. The only time I rode behind diesels was when they were running the Alcos. I never got up there when they had the articulated nor have I ever had occasion to see the Baldwin diesels run.

You are most fortunate to have the opportunity to run there. Thanks for the videos.

 

[Bill Swindell]

I definitely agree with the view form the M-300. That is by far the best view that a passenger can get.