Indiegogo is committed to accessibility. If you have difficulty using our site, please contact support@indiegogo.com for assistance or view our accessibility notice by clicking here

This campaign is closed

Rebuilding a Railroad Tunnel - Save Our Skunk Train

On April 11 the famed Skunk Train had a tunnel collapse. This tunnel was dug by hand in 1893 and we need to get it back open.

You may also be interested in

Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed

Rebuilding a Railroad Tunnel - Save Our Skunk Train

Rebuilding a Railroad Tunnel - Save Our Skunk Train

Rebuilding a Railroad Tunnel - Save Our Skunk Train

Rebuilding a Railroad Tunnel - Save Our Skunk Train

Rebuilding a Railroad Tunnel - Save Our Skunk Train

On April 11 the famed Skunk Train had a tunnel collapse. This tunnel was dug by hand in 1893 and we need to get it back open.

On April 11 the famed Skunk Train had a tunnel collapse. This tunnel was dug by hand in 1893 and we need to get it back open.

On April 11 the famed Skunk Train had a tunnel collapse. This tunnel was dug by hand in 1893 and we need to get it back open.

On April 11 the famed Skunk Train had a tunnel collapse. This tunnel was dug by hand in 1893 and we need to get it back open.

Robert Jason Pinoli
Robert Jason Pinoli
Robert Jason Pinoli
Robert Jason Pinoli
1 Campaign |
Fort Bragg, United States
$419 USD 9 backers
0% of $300,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Let me start by introducing myself; my name is Robert Jason Pinoli and I'm the Chief Skunk  at the Skunk Train.

Robert Jason Pinoli, standing on the front of Engine #45Robert Jason Pinoli, standing on the front of Engine #45

This marks the start of my 21st season and today we need your help to raise $300,000 to fix a cave in at Tunnel #1.

On April 11th we discovered a small bulge on two timbers inside the 1000' long Tunnel #1 which is just 4 miles east of Fort Bragg. We started the process of mobilizing equipment and upon return discovered a cave in - that spans for about 40 feet of the 1100 total feet.

This is what the westside looks like right now (this is about 800 feet in from the portal)This is what the westside looks like right now (this is about 800 feet in from the portal)

This cave in has prohibited any traffic from passing through the tunnel to the other 36 miles of our railroad, and all our equipment is stuck on the Fort Bragg side of the railroad.

Starting to clear the messStarting to clear the mess

Tunnel #1 was completed in 1893 (dug by hand), and is a monument to Chinese & Italian immigrants who painstakingly worked in very tough conditions for six years.

The repair process - Since the actual cave in occurred Skunk Train crews worked for two weeks clearing debris and in the meantime we retained a geotechnical engineering firm to serve as the head of this project. They advised until we begin re-construction to leave things as is. We have completed the interview process of contractors and are ready to start work, but we need to raise these critical funds. We are really faced with five options for rebuilding; the fifth and least preferred would be to reconstruct with timbers and back filling the void area (this is how the rest of the tunnel is built) it is the least preferred because it is the oldest method though it has worked very well for 120 years; the fourth would be to reconstruct in the same fashion as the fifth method but to use steel beams in place of redwood; the next three methods are all contenders for the first choice depending on the geological assessment and what the professionals think; they are inserting a pre-engineered steel plate (similar to a giant culvert) in the void and back filling the voided space with slurry, casting shotcrete / gunite panels and bolting them in place and then back filling the void with slurry, and the most preferred and most modern would be to rock bolt the existing rock and covering with a steel mesh and then shotcete the entire area.The geotechnical engineering contract is $42,000 and the construction estimate is about $250,000.

The route of the Skunk Train is 40 miles through the towering Redwoods and this tunnel is located just 4 miles East of our depot in Fort Bragg.

The Skunk Train winding through towering trees on the Redwood RouteThe Skunk Train winding through towering trees on the Redwood Route

All money raised above our goal will be used for other projects, like a new roof on our Roundhouse, to restore a caboose and an vintage fleet of passenger coaches.

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
Need more information
Let us know if you think this campaign contains prohibited content.

Choose your Perk

Making a Difference

$10 USD
Darn, I wish I could move mountains to help you but things are tight for me. Would add my name to the list of supporter on the website.
1 claimed

SOS key chain

$25 USD
We'd like a Save Our Skunk (SOS) key chain when the dust settles and the Skunk can run again.
Estimated Shipping
September 2013
1 claimed

One Rock at a Time

$50 USD
One Rock at a Time - I really want to help but can't quite make one of the other funding levels. Count me in as a supporter of your efforts and send me a souvenir rock from inside the tunnel.
Estimated Shipping
August 2013
2 claimed

Hard Hat Club

$100 USD
Where did you get that hat? - Count me in one hard hat at a time, and send me one of them stylish creatures.
Estimated Shipping
August 2013
1 claimed

Bronze Pass

$300 USD
Bronze Pass - Unlimited standard Half-Day train rides for pass holder and guest for the balance of 2013 and all the 2014 season.
Estimated Shipping
July 2013
0 claimed

Tunnel Builder

$500 USD
Attend the Grand Re-Opening of Tunnel #1, with a BBQ lunch and entertainment at Northspur. You'll get a hard hat too.
Estimated Shipping
September 2013
0 claimed

Silver Pass

$750 USD
Unlimited standard Half-Day train rides for pass holder and guest through 2014 season. Upgrades to Parlor Class. 10% off tickets for companions.
Estimated Shipping
July 2013
0 claimed

Construction Supervisor

$1,000 USD
Attend the Grand Re-Opening Event, get a stylish hard hat, and have a tunnel set named after you.
Estimated Shipping
September 2013
0 claimed

The 1885 Gold Pass

$1,885 USD
Unlimited standard Half-Day train rides for pass holders life (non-transferable). Upgrades to Parlor Class on days it operates. 25% off tickets for companions.
Estimated Shipping
July 2013
0 claimed

Adopt a Mile

$5,000 USD
Attend the Grand Re-Opening of Tunnel #1, BBQ lunch and entertainment. Funders at this level will have a mile of track named in their honor (5 year period) & receive a Silver Pass & other perks.
Estimated Shipping
September 2013
0 out of 40 of claimed

That's my Bridge

$50,000 USD
Adopt one of the railroads 30 bridges that is built from magnificent Redwood. Other perks apply (adopt for 5 year period).
Estimated Shipping
July 2013
0 out of 30 of claimed

That's My Tunnel

$100,000 USD
Adopt one of the railroads 2 tunnels. Tunnel #1 completed in 1893 (the one we are rebuilding) or Tunnel #2 completed in 1911. Not only will we rename this tunnel in your name (20 year period) but you will get an 1885 Gold "Lifetime" pass, along with other perks.
Estimated Shipping
July 2013
0 out of 2 of claimed

You may also be interested in

Up Caret