Ukiah Daily Journal from Ukiah, California • Page 28

2003 PAUL BUNYAN DAYS 2003 A Special Section of the Advocate-News The Mendocino Beacon Page 16 August 28, The 'Super Skunk' rejoins the CWR Reprinted from The Noyo Chief September-October 1965 Saturday, July 10 will go down as a red-letter day in history for the California Western Railroad. On this day, after an absence of 35 years, regularly scheduled steam passenger service returned to the noW world-famous "Skunk Line." When highway travel made its "invasion" of the Mendocino Coast with resulting dwinding passenger revenue steam passenger service was replaced in 1925 by the gasoline-powered railcar, Motor 80. which later became affectionately known as the "Skunk." The last steam passenger service on the CWR was made in May, 1930. Although a combination baggagepassenger coach was carried on the night freight prior to World War lI, it was mostly for U. S.

Mail and Railway Express. Named the "Super Skunk," the steam powered passenger train supplements the regular Diesel-powered "Skunks." Visitors are able to drive to Fort Bragg, take the "Super Skunk" to Willits to enjoy lunch or a picnic and return that afterncon. A "shake-down" or test run was made July 2, and a press run on July 8. Photographers and other members of the press and TV were busy at work all along the 40-mile, 2 trip. The return trip afforded opportunities for additional picture-taking at scenic spots.

Among the passengers were CWR retirees who had received special invitations to make the historic ride. Pleasant memories were relived as the train "snaked" its way through the Noyo River country and as the locomotive roared its exhaust in defiunce to the "mountain." The Inaugural Run was made on Friday, July 9, following appropriate ceremonies at the Fort Bragg depot. The program was highlighted by the christening of the "Super Skunk" by Mrs. Clair MacLeod, wife of CWR's president, while spectators and passengers cheered. The "Super Skunk" consists of steam "She'll be comin' around the mountain" is an apt caption for along the Noyo River Canyon near Milepost 14.

2-8-2 wheel arrangement) and four 72- foot, 84-passenger coaches. The locomotive was built in November, 1924 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Oregon-Owen Lumber Company and was used as Number 3 on logging and switch engine service around Medford, Ore. The locomotive arrived May 3 and was overhauled and restored in the Roundhouse by CWR crews. Mechanical work was supervised by Master Mechanic Ilmar Carlson and Roundhouse Foreman Dan Shea. Boiler repair was by Ace Boiler and Welding Works, of San Francisco, with Henry Watson supervising.

The four couches, built in 1926, were purchased from the Eric-Lackawanna R.R. and were completely renovated and re-designed including all new red Naugahyde upholstery. Walter Landor Associates, industrial designers, created the color scheme for locomotive Number 45 (Mikado class, or the new train which is vermilion, cool Here's Why Paul Babe Go to Jack's Full Service Napa Auto Care Center ref Certified Smog Center Tires Brakes Tune-Ups Transmission Service of Air Conditioning Mufflers Exhaust MCFN Gas Station Regular Maintenance Engine Repair 31 Years of Local Service! AS: Jack's Muffler Shop 110 Manzanita Ave. Fort Bragg 964-4311 Auto Tech's Mike Drake Jeff Costa VISA Next to Jenny's Giant Burger Extra 45 East, the "Super Skunk" as the train winds red, gold and black atmosphere reminiscent tury. Reservations and colors creating an obtained by writing to the California of the 19th cen- Western Railroad, Fort Bragg.

information may be Fred C. Holmes Lumber Company Phyllis Hautala Fred C. Holmes Steve Holmes Fred C. Holmes Lumber Company is a equipment. (This is the same location wholesale lumber yard specializing in where the Glass Beach Subdivision and redwood.

It also supplies Bay Area con- Fred C. Holmes Lumber Company are tractors with framing materials and other located today.) wood products for large housing tracts. In 1971, Fred purchased the Morrison The Holmes family has been in the and Jackson Sawmill in Myers Flat and the lumber business for four generations. In Englewood Sawmill at Redcrest. He sold all 1903, J.H.

Holmes founded Holmes Eureka his lumber businesses to Georgia Pacific Lumber Company, one of the first sawmills Corp. in 1974 when he became general on the Humboldt Bay. Fred V. Holmes manager of the Northern California operated Holmes Eureka until its sale to Division of Georgia Pacific. In 1978, Fred Pacific Lumber Company in 1958.

left Georgia Pacific and reactivated his Fred C. Holmes built a small sawmill wholesale lumber business. Fred C. Holmes north of Fort Bragg in 1946 and in 1949 he Lumber Company is presently owned and started Fred C. Holmes Lumber Company.

operated by his children, Steve Holmes and Shortly thereafter, he purchased 22 acres Phyllis Hautala. Fred and his wife Lois from Union Lumber Company and instal- reside on their ranch, Holmestead Farms, led a sorting chain, planer and resaw northeast of Marysville, CA. Wholesale Lumber 211 W. Elm Fort Bragg 964-6377.