Great Northwest Railroad

The Great Northwest Railroad (GRNW) is located in North Central Idaho, and runs a mainline of approximately 77 miles (124 km). Known as the Camas Prairie Railroad until 1998 and then Camas Prairie Railnet, Watco purchased the line in 2004[1][2] and renamed it the GRNW.

Great Northwest Railroad
Overview
LocaleNorth Central Idaho, United States
Dates of operation2004–
PredecessorCamas Prairie RailNet
(1998–2004)
Camas Prairie Railroad
(1909–1998)
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The railroad runs from Lewiston, Idaho, west to Riparia, Washington, and interchanges with the BNSF and Union Pacific at Ayer, Washington. Construction was completed later to form an additional branch between Spalding and Grangeville for 66 miles (106 km) and a 40-mile (64 km) connection between Orofino and Headquarters. The GRNW interchanges east of Lewiston with the BG&CM Railroad. Primary commodities of the GRNW are forest products consisting of lumber, bark, paper and tissue; agricultural products, industrial and farm chemicals, scrap iron and frozen vegetables.

Camas Prairie Railroad

The Camas Prairie Railroad Company was formed in 1909, jointly owned and operated by the Northern Pacific Railway (later BNSF), and the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company (later Union Pacific).[3][4][5]

According to Watco, "The OWR&N came in to Lewiston via the Snake River from the west and the Northern Pacific reached Lewiston from the North out of Spokane, Washington. The competition continued up the Clearwater River from Lewiston towards Kamiah and Kooskia. This competition was known as the "Clearwater River Railroad Wars" or just "The War". In 1909, the two major carriers joined forces and the Camas Prairie Railroad was born. Rather than constructing two lines along the Clearwater River, one line was constructed and a joint operating company, Camas Prairie Railroad, was formed."[3][4][6]

References
  1. Williams, Elaine (February 17, 2004). "Railroad changing hands". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A.
  2. Williames, Elaine (March 4, 2004). "Railroad changes hands, trains keep on running". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 6A.
  3. Hanrahan, R.E. (May 1, 1936). "Camas Prairie Railroad unique operating setup". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 3.
  4. Campbell, Thomas J. (December 11, 1938). "Camas Prairie Railroad marks 30th anniversary". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 12.
  5. "Camas Prairie Railroad was born to squabbling parents". Lewiston Morning Tribune. September 30, 1990. p. 12-centennial.
  6. "Great Northwest Railroad". Watco. Archived from the original on November 18, 2014.
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