FORT BRAGG, Calif., July 22 — Guests visiting the Skunk Train’s iconic Glen Blair Junction can now enjoy more than towering redwoods and scenic rail adventures. For the first time, the Skunk Train is serving freshly prepared, chef-crafted meals, now available on select train and Railbike journeys departing from Fort Bragg.
The inaugural menu features California-inspired rice bowls with guests’ choice of freshly grilled steelhead, chicken, or plant-based tofu. The menu also includes kid-friendly selections for families. Each bowl showcases fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and locally inspired culinary influences.
Guests can conveniently preorder their meals online while purchasing tickets at SkunkTrain.com and pick up their food when arriving at Glen Blair Junction. There will also be limited onsite ordering for guests, available while supplies last. Meal options will range in price from $15 to $25.
The new dining experience debuted this month and is currently available for all departures to Glen Blair Junction during the following times:
- Friday nights
- Saturday days and nights, beginning at 11am
- Sunday days, beginning at 11am
This includes meal service during several of guests’ favorite Skunk Train adventures, including Glen Blair Bar, Moonlight Railbikes to Glen Blair Bar, The Redwood – Presidential Class, Pudding Creek Express, Pudding Creek Railbikes, and Days of Steam.
Leading the new culinary experience is Food & Beverage Manager Shana Everhart, a chef and restaurateur with more than 25 years of experience. Prior to joining the Skunk Train, Everhart has led kitchens across the country, owned and operated her own restaurant, and most recently ran a successful catering and private chef business. In joining the Skunk Train, Everhart was inspired by the opportunity to create a dining experience unlike any other, serving restaurant-quality meals in the heart of the redwood forest.
“We want every meal to become part of the adventure,” said Everhart. “Whether you’re arriving by train or Railbike, there’s something special about enjoying fresh, thoughtfully prepared food surrounded by towering redwoods. Our goal is to create meals that are as memorable as the journey itself.”
The opening menu is just the beginning. Over the next several months, the Skunk Train plans to broaden its culinary offerings with seasonal dishes, add new menu items, offer food options to support special events and weddings, and expand service to seven days per week.
“The Skunk Train has always been about creating unforgettable experiences that connect people with the beauty of the redwoods,” said Efstathios Pappas, General Manager of the Skunk Train. “Adding hot, delicious culinary options dials up the experience. Guests can now enjoy an exceptional meal in one of the most beautiful outdoor settings in California, making their visit an experience they’ll remember long after the journey ends.”
Preparing fresh food at Glen Blair Junction—where there is no power or water service—presented a significant logistical challenge. To tackle this, the Skunk Train team converted a historic boxcar into a commercial-grade kitchen that provides its own water and electricity. Nicknamed the “Sizzle Stop,” the adaptive reuse project allows chefs to prepare fresh meals onsite while preserving another piece of the railroad’s rich history.