A long-running fight over land tied to the Skunk Train took another turn after a California appeals court declined to reconsider its earlier decision. The ruling allows Mendocino Railway to move forward with condemning private property in Willits, despite objections from the landowner. Judges said the railroad qualifies as a public utility, even though excursion trips make up most of its business. That decision reversed an earlier trial court win for the property owner. The case now heads back to determine how much the owner will be paid, and the dispute may still end up before the state’s highest court.
