Ross Hall Wrote:
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> This likely a train that would pass through
> Eastport, ID and Spokane towards Portland, OR for
> export. Ruined some of CANPOTEX (Canadian Potash
> Exporters) nice new TCMX cars. Means some of the
> old PTEX cars will have to continue to trudge on.

Searching articles, Canadian potash goes to Asia, Australia, Brazil, and elsewhere via Port of Portland.

Quote:

article:
Canpotex’s subsidiary, Portland Bulk Terminals L.L.C., will spend the funds to improve the efficiency of its ship-loading operations at Portland and the management of specialty white potash products to enable shorter turnaround times for trains and ships. The improvements will include an upgraded conveyance system and a new storage building.

With a long-term lease extension, Canpotex said it expects to increase its tonnage through Portland in coming years. It currently moves 2 million tonnes of potash annually through the port to Asia, Brazil, Australia and other markets.

Canpotex also owns terminal operations at Port Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.

[www.reuters.com]

China and Russia have a lot of Potash but apparently they don't dominate Asian markets.

(2017, in million tonnes)
Country Production Reserves
Canada 12.0 (28.57%) 1,000 (25.64%)
Russia 7.2 (17.14%) 500 (12.82%)
Belarus 6.4 (15.24%) 750 (19.23%)
China 6.2 (14.76%) 360 (9.23%)

Potash miners get exposed to asbestos, but I have not read of risk of that with the refined product.