Its official, the Coos Bay Rail Line has changed hands and has a new name as well. The International Port of Coos Bay is the proud owner of the “Coos Bay Rail Link”. The ink is not even dried on the closing papers as the Port gets the ownership and changes the name of the troubled line. A Federal filing to notify the Surface Transportation Board that the sale has been completed has been hand delivered in Washington D.C. This morning the STB did rule against the Port on a request for a reexamination of the original purchase. The Port wanted the STB to reconsider the purchase price tag to below $8 million dollars as if the Port had to pay for the costs associated with bridge removal. The STB however did agree to a technical correction for a price adjustment and took more than $20-thound dollars off the $16.6 million dollar purchase price. The new price tag was set at $16,586,760.
Once they get a paint scheme I can start trying to model a couple of their locos. Are they set, then, on running it themselves?
Well, interesting news. Now, I hope we have a couple folks in that vicinity, who can get out with cameras. Start the process of documenting this rebirth. Boxcab E50
So far the International Port of Coos Bay has not named a operator. The three choices are the Portland & Western, Raillink and the Yreka Western. The Port also needs to select a temporary operator for the open 16 miles of the line from Eugene to Vaughn. I heard they want CORP to run it?
They may not have a choice about the Eugene to Vaughn section. Doesn't CORP still technically own that part? All of those are, for me, exciting choices from a railfan and modelers perspective. I think PNWR would have to be my favorite of the three - it's like rooting for the home team. I am glad to see this moving forward.
The International Port of Coos Bay owns all 111 miles of the Coos Bay Branch from Danebo to North Bend. Union Pacific still Owns the Eugene Yard to Danebo and Coos Bay to Coquille.
coos bay Ok gang I will be moving to coos bay the first of april,So can keep you informed on the goings on there,I was just there week and a half ago,the only thing I saw was the old swicther sitting by the old steam engine.the yard sill looks like an gost yard,nothing there at all.I will be going back over tomarrow,I'll see what is going on. JIM (BIGPINE)
Jim- OK. You are now our official local correspondent! Ha ha. Sure wish my brother still lived there. It would give me an excuse to visit that area again. Boxcab E50
I think the Portland and Western is the best option.... They do good at growing business and keeping their customers happy. I hope they get the contract.
Union Pacific owns the line from the Coos Bay Bridge, North Bend, Coos Bay, Coos Bay yard and all the way out to Coquille. This goes back to the Railtex era as they did not want the Coos Bay Bridge problems and over the Siskiyou's (Tunnels).