Frontier Rail chosen for Port of Royal Slope

ROYAL CITY — The Port of Royal Slope commissioners have decided to contract with Frontier Rail of Burbank for the operation of the Royal Slope Railroad, according to Port Executive Director Cathy Potter.

The decision was made last Thursday afternoon after interviews with the ownership groups of Frontier and Eastern Washington Gateway Railroad at the Port’s offices.

Frontier offered to operate the Royal Slope Railroad while incurring all costs of doing so. Eastern Washington Gateway wanted the PORS to share in some of the costs if there were losses.

Potter planned to be in contact with both companies on Monday to inform them of the commissioners’ decision.

Frontier Rail Corporation was founded in 2006. Nine years later, the Frontier Rail Group of affiliate carriers maintains and operates 250 miles of railroad in four states.

Frontier Rail Corporation also operates non-carrier services at 12 locations in seven states – including railcar switching, car repair, trans-loading and railhead marketing/logistics services. FRC’s office is located in Burbank.

The commissioners interviewed each group for about an hour then had discussions about the two operator proposals. The interviews confirmed the good the impressions commissioners had of both companies after going through the written proposals they submitted.

“They were both really good,” Potter said. “They were both very knowledgeable about rail shipping. They both had experience re-starting railroads that had been shut down for years.”

“But,” Potter added, “Eastern Washington Gateway wanted us to participate in the costs, and we don’t want to do that.”

Potter said Frontier Rail does not have a date selected to start rail shipping. She believes Frontier will likely spend time promoting the service first.

“I’m sure they’ll start talking to prospective shippers soon after the contract is done,” Potter said.