Commissioned Sally Skunk art by Bosko Comic Artist

Sally Skunk A fifth generation railroader who works as a conductor in Fort Bragg, California. Her zany behavior is tempered by her desire to be successful in her career and carry on her family legacy, with a real passion for her work. Sally struggles to form long-term romantic connections, as a chain of ex-boyfriends and ex-girlfriends can attest to.

Rebecca Ringtail “Becky” is Sally’s roommate and works as a concessions worker and gift shop attendee on the railroad. She often provides a more measured response to the antics of the day. An avid indie-alternative music fan, Becky is quick to recommend her favorite vinyl albums to anyone who asks (and even for those who don’t).

Commissioned Becky Ringtail art by Jenny Butler

Simon Skunk The middle child of the “Skunk” family, Simon is an experienced locomotive engineer. Like any true locomotive engineer he is also extremely surly and lives on a diet of caffeine and nicotine.

Samantha Skunk The youngest child of the “Skunk” family, Samantha didn’t follow her family into railroading, instead embracing a holistic art-focused lifestyle. 420 is practically a religious calling to her.

Grandpa Skunk An old retired railroad veteran, who was working on the trains when they were still hauling redwoods over the mountains. He is proud of his grandchildren and tries to guide them the best he can, despite being out of touch with the modern world.

Steven Skunk Steven was Sally, Simon and Samantha’s father. Like his own dad he worked the railroad as a conductor and later engineer.

Wanda M. Skunk A transplant from her hometown of Columbus, Ohio; Wanda was a free spirit compared to her parents and older sister and Wanda often clashed with her parents pushing her to move away from home. Wanda came to California in the 1990’s as a conductor in training before marrying Steven. She was Sally, Simon and Samantha’s mother and is also survived by her sister and nieces back in Ohio.

John Astutus Becky’s boyfriend who is currently serving as a nuclear propulsion officer in the US Navy onboard an Ohio Class Submarine. A mechanical engineering graduate from UC Davis, John possess a no-nonsense technical attitude. He has entrusted his collection of video games and childhood Bionicle sets to Becky until he returns from his deployments, when the two hope to be married.

Piper Opossum A nature lover and avid hiker, Piper works in planning the Great Redwood Trail on the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad right of way. Her and Sally’s first encounter resulted in a sexually charged one-night stand which ended in disaster the following morning when Sally discovered Piper’s affiliation with the trail project.

Mr. Moose CMO in the railroad’s Fort Bragg shops, he spends his days trying to bring “old 45” and Tunnel One back into service; while maintaining the fleet of tourist railcars. Sometimes a bit gruff on the exterior, Mr. Moose is goal oriented and quick to the rescue when people on the railroad need his aid.

Mr. Badger Another California & Western worker, when he is not assisting Mr. Moose in the shops this European Badger leads maintenance of way and track upkeep along the railroad. He is proud of his family’s English ancestry, claiming to have had ancestors who worked on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway before they joined the handcart migration of Mormon Pioneers to the American West.

Johnny “Grease” Skunk Sally’s uncle and Steven’s younger brother, Grease is a former Air Force pilot who now works for Lockheed Martin in Palmdale as a test pilot. A hot shot, he often bragged to his brother (and continues to brag to his nieces and nephews) about the superiority of his pilot career to their own ground based rail careers. Now divorced, he splits custody with his ex-wife over their energetic son who is bound to cause problems at any family gathering.

Maverick Jackalope Shameless author self insert… created originally by a friend of mine for his Snap Track Comic series.