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Mendocino Railway was formed in 2004 via Surface Transportation Board approval to acquire the assets of the California Western Railroad (CWR) / Skunk Train. It’s oldest operation, the California Western Railroad / Skunk Train, dates back to 1885 and has been a public utility / common carrier railroad since inception. Mendocino Railway is a subsidiary of Sierra Railroad Company which was formed in 1897.
Mendocino Railway owns and operates the following four rail operations:
California Western Railroad is a Class III Common Carrier, providing essential freight services between Fort Bragg and Willits, California. This historic route supports coastal and inland communities by transporting goods and supplies, making it a vital link for the region.
Located in the redwood forests of Northern California’s Mendocino County, the Skunk Train is a heritage railroad that has been operating both freight and passenger service since 1885. Initially used to move redwood logs to the Mendocino Coast sawmills from the rugged back country, the Skunk Train has become a beloved institution touted as one of the “10 Best Rail Tours in the Country” (USA Today) and a “Top 10 Family Activity in California” (National Geographic Traveler). The Skunk Train journey covers 40 miles of scenic delights and crosses 30 bridges while retaining the train’s original charm, though fortunately minus the pungent aroma that once preceded its arrival. Operating year-round, this multi-generational experience welcomes individuals and families of all types—and even the family dog—for a memorable and inclusive adventure.
Built in 1911 by the Northern Electric Company, the River Fox Train’s 10-mile track originally transported passengers in the Sacramento area. Electric passenger travel ended in 1941, but the line remained active with diesel freight, linking the fertile farmlands of the Sacramento Valley to the rest of California. In 2003, Sierra Railroad merged with the Yolo Shortline, continuing freight and reviving passenger trains under the name Sacramento River Train. Today, on the line now known as the River Fox Train, passengers can enjoy events and activities like Railbike rides, relaxing beer and wine trains, and holiday-themed outings while reveling in nostalgic railroad charm.
Mendocino Railway’s third line is quintessentially Southern Californian, offering excursions through the citrus and avocado groves of the Santa Clara River Valley.
In 2022, the Ventura County Transportation Commission selected Mendocino Railway and its sister company Sierra Northern Railway, became the operator of the Santa Paula Branch Line. The Southern Pacific Railroad originally constructed the line in 1887 as a standard-gauge railroad. The track was used extensively by Southern Pacific as late as the 1950s to haul citrus from packing houses to communities along the Santa Clara River. Ventura County Transportation Commission purchased the line in 1995 and rented it for many years to the Fillmore and Western Railway, which hosted excursion trains and film shoots.
Mendocino Railway has a strong interest in supporting the communities in which we operate, not least because our employees live and work in the areas we serve. The company’s commitment to good corporate citizenship takes several forms, including ensuring a strong safety culture throughout the organization, investing in community organizations and causes, maintaining a positive work environment by treating our employees with dignity and respect, and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Mendocino Railway is continually investing in our infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient operations in the communities where we operate while also reducing our impact on the environment.
Our sister company, Sierra Northern Railway, is leading the industry in the conversion of diesel locomotives to hydrogen-fueled, zero-emission locomotives; in July 2023 the company, in partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, received $19.5 million from the State of California to expand those efforts. By 2027, Sierra Northern will have a fleet of four hydrogen-fueled switching locomotives operating in West Sacramento, paving the way for conversion of its entire fleet and for conversion of the more than 260 switchers throughout California operated by other rail companies.
Mendocino Railway supports numerous organizations and causes in the communities where we do business, including through financial and in-kind donations, sponsorships, and memberships.
100 West Laurel Street
Fort Bragg, California 95437
707-964-6371
www.SkunkTrain.com
299 East Commercial Street
Willits, California 95490
707-964-6371
www.SkunkTrain.com
18095 County Rd. 117
West Sacramento, California 95691
800-866-1690
www.RiverFoxTrain.com
200 N. Tenth Street
Santa Paula California 93060
805-844-5075
www.SunburstTrain.com
Robert Pinoli has three decades of experience in railroad operations, management, and finance and is currently president / CEO of Mendocino Railway (MR).
Pinoli has served as president of MR since 2021, and previously as the vice president from 2004. He also served as the general manager of California Western Railroad / Skunk Train and was responsible for every aspect of the operation.
Pinoli is deeply involved in the greater Mendocino County region. He was an elected trustee for the Mendocino-Lake Community College District, where he served as president of the board for a community college serving some 6,000 total students and employing over 400 staff. Pinoli has also served as vice chairman of the board for Visit Mendocino County, treasurer of the Mendocino County Lodging Association, and president of Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce and Oakdale Chamber of Commerce.
He holds a degree in business administration.
Melodie Hilton has been with Mendocino Railway since September 2022. She is a 15-year marketing professional with an emphasis on the hospitality and travel sector. Her department oversees the social media, sales, public relations, and marketing of the Skunk Train, River Fox Train, and Sunburst Train.
In 2024, her team took home one of the state’s highest tourism marketing accolades, a Poppy Award from Visit California for the Best Influencer Campaign; Business category.
Hilton hails from Napa, where she has worked for hotels, wineries, and other tourism businesses. She was president of the Napa Downtown Merchants Association and currently sits on the board of the local Arts Council.
In her spare time, she enjoys #vanlife.
Kimberly Preciado oversees public relations and marketing communications for Mendocino Railway’s unique offerings, including the River Fox Train, Sunburst, and Skunk Train. She manages newsletters, social media, and press releases, ensuring consistent, engaging messaging that connects audiences to these unforgettable experiences.
With years of experience in public relations and marketing, Preciado has led campaigns that have elevated brand awareness and fostered meaningful partnerships. Her passion for storytelling and crafting compelling narratives has been key in building customer engagement and loyalty.
What she loves most about working at Mendocino Railway is the opportunity to work in such a distinctive field, where she is able to be a part of incredible adventures and share them with others. Outside of work, she enjoys leading a book club and exploring new restaurants and cities with her fiancé and their dog.
Efstathios (Stathi) Pappas began as an industrial archaeologist, working on his MS and PhD (abd), before becoming part of the heritage railroad industry. Pappas has served in many roles, from hands-on restoration work of historic locomotives and rolling stock to railroad operations management and is currently general manager of the California Western Railroad / Skunk Train.
Ted Fox, general manager at the River Fox, is a production carpenter with 25 years' experience in the entertainment industry. He has served in a wide variety of roles at Mendocino Railway, including director of facilities, conductor, Railbike guide, cafe cook, retail lead, bartender, station agent, facilities tech, and park attendant. He excels in scenic installation, stage crew management, and integrating LED details into scenic elements.
Fox is skilled in project management, client relations, and labor relations. He has also worked with companies such as Accelerator Design Studios, Live Box Digital, Event Technology Services, and Island Creative Managment, where he assisted audio, video & lighting departments, directed crews, and worked in scene shops. Fox graduated from the Technical Theater department of the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts.
Nicholas Martinez has been in railroading for 10 years. Railroads have been a passion of his since childhood, so he has the rare opportunity of being able to live his dream. He spent eight years at the Fillmore & Western Railway working the Murder Mystery Trains and various other trains, then moved up to office work as well as onboard services, and became a conductor and signal maintainer as well. When F&W ceased operations, Martinez came to Sierra Northern as a maintenance-of-way worker. In 2023, he moved to Mendocino Railway's operations and became Railbike manager for the Sunburst Train. In his spare time Martinez likes to do photography.
Matthew Blackburn has over 11 years of experience in railroads. He began his career with the Sacramento Southern Railroad in the car department and maintenance of way. It was there he also learned train operations. Blackburn then joined Sierra Northern as the Railbike manager for the River Fox Train of Mendocino Railway. He has also worked as an engineer, conductor, and dispatcher for Sierra Northern Railway. Blackburn graduated from American River College in 2015 with an associate's degree in railroad operations.