Eastern Washington Gateway operator change
Author: ShortlinesUSA
Date: 09-10-2018 - 11:55
In a surprise move, the Western Group (parent of the Cimarron Valley RR and Southwest RR) will replace the Eastern Washington Gateway RR on the state-owned trackage between Cheney and Coulee City, WA.
I say "surprise" because Western was on the brink of selling all of their freight operations to Continental Rail about 6 months ago, but the deal fell through. Had it been completed, Western would have just become a tourist operator, retaining the Verde Canyon and Texas & Eastern passenger operations.
It is quite possible some of the 6-axle power displaced after the Southwest RR Carlsbad operation was taken back by BNSF may find its way to Washington.
Mike Derrick