WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has denied a bid by the owner of the Skunk Train tourist operation to acquire 13 miles of abandoned Northwestern Pacific right-of-way, increasing the likelihood the entire route will become a public trail.
In a Thursday decision, the board ruled that Mendocino Railways, the Skunk Train owner, “has failed to show it is financially responsible to acquire, operate, and maintain” the segment of right-of-way in question. The railroad had offered $5.48 million offer to buy the section of rail line extending north from Willits, Calif.; its inspectors had estimated repair costs at an additional $7.24 million to $8.9 million.
The line was last operated in 1998 when a storm washed out sections of track along the steep canyons following the Eel River and collapsed some tunnels.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that Mendocino Railway CEO Robert Pinoli said he was disappointed by the decision, blaming the company’s failure to demonstrate its financial wherewithal, but said the company would not appeal.
The decision was hailed by supporters of the planned Great Redwood Trail, a proposed 320-mile hiking, biking, and equestrian trail from San Francisco Bay to the Humboldt County community of Arcata.
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