Arcata and Mad River Railroad crew speeder cars were originally used to transport logging crews into the woods along the railways in Korbel. In 2009 two of these vehicles were restored by Timber Heritage Association volunteers, and more recently overhauled, improving the ride. Currently THA offers excursions for about 25 riders on them in several North Coast locations.
Their signature tour is a 4-mile round trip along beautiful Humboldt Bay from Samoa to near Manila, running every half hour from 10am to 4pm on the fourth Saturdays of June, July, August and September. These are great rides for seeing the flora and fauna of Humboldt Bay, as well as some historic locations. On these fourth Saturdays, THA’s historic 1893 Samoa Shops and Roundhouse are open for tours. They are all part of a working museum where you can see many of Timber Heritage’s collected logging artifacts and locomotives, including a fully restored and very elegant dining car. Parking is near the Samoa Cookhouse, with train cars boarding by the bottom of the Cookhouse driveway.
Timber Heritage also conducts special rides from time to time; for a complete schedule visit the calendar of events posted at TimberHeritage.org. And of course, on the 4th of July they will be offering their ever-popular speeder rides in Eureka’s Old Town.
Where: 930 Vance Ave. in Samoa, Main Street in Loleta, and 1st and E Streets in Old Town Eureka.
More Info: 707-443-2957, TimberHeritage.org
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