True.....they need the line south from "historic" Eureka to Loleta, Fernbridge, Fortuna, Scotia and ultimately Humboldt Redwoods State Park at South Fork. A heritage railroad that runs from someplace to someplace. Unfortunately the World Class attraction that was Pacific Lumber Company is no longer of that character and the World Class maintenance problem of Scotia Bluff is nearby. Fernbridge still has the common standard depot, an ideal transfer point to the "Victorian Village of Ferndale." But there has to be more to tie it together.

Looking at the White Pass, The Durango and Silverton, East Broad Top, Grand Canyon, even the Sierra RR, what made them interesting and attractive never went away. Since the 1960's Humboldt County has been on a self consuming spiral fed by the retreating timber industry and the environmental wars. What was there through the 1960's just ain't there anymore. Eureka needs more than just the "Madeket" and Carson House to attract tourists, although the Madeket would be a good way to travel back to your car after a two hour train ride from Samoa to Eureka. The tens of millions in investment to get the railroad south of Eureka will never happen. The Scotia Bluff, tunnels and bridge work to get from Scotia to South Fork is a whole other matter.

I always thought "Roots of Motive Power" and the Mendocino County Museum had the right message. Interpret the technology and steam power and let the adaptation to industry and transportation speak for itself.