Ride History This Summer Aboard the Skunk Train’s Steam Engine

Marin Mommies presents a sponsored article from the Skunk Train, whose beloved steam engine the Chiggen returns to the rails for their Days of Steam event this summer..

A whistle echoes through the redwoods, steam rises into the cool coastal air, and an engine once forgotten by time comes roaring back to life on the Skunk Train!

This summer, the Skunk Train’s beloved steam engine, affectionately known as the “Chiggen,” returns to the rails for their annual Days of Steam event, departing from Fort Bragg on select weekends June 27–August 30. From the hiss of steam to the rhythmic rumble through towering redwoods, each Days of Steam departure offers guests the rare chance to experience railroading in the most unique and powerful way.

The Chiggen’s story is far from ordinary. Long before returning to the tracks, the engine spent years sitting dormant as a roadside display for a chicken restaurant in Stockton. What was once no more than a static billboard eventually caught the attention of the Skunk Train’s General Manager, who saw not just a cool old engine, but a chance to preserve history.

It was then that the Chiggen underwent an extensive rebuild where crews repaired and reconstructed major components of the engine. From fabricating new metal panels to completing the complex work needed to safely return the engine to service, this steam giant would finally be ready for its comeback.

Today, the Chiggen operates for a limited time each year, making the Skunk Train’s Days of Steam event one of the only opportunities in Northern California to experience authentic steam railroading firsthand.

Celebrate preservation, craftsmanship, and the dedication required to keep history alive this summer on the Skunk Train’s Days of Steam — only at SkunkTrain.com.