New Columbia Basin Railroad owners assume operation

MOSES LAKE — The owners of Jaguar Transport Holdings, Joplin, Missouri, officially took over operation of the Columbia Basin Railroad Thursday. The owners of Jaguar Transport announced they were buying CBRR in mid-July.

“We take a disciplined approach to acquisitions, and this opportunity – backed by proven success, strong infrastructure, a dedicated team and a growing customer base – truly excites us,” said Jaguar Chief Executive Officer Stu Towner in a press release announcing the change.

Jaguar did not respond to questions from the Columbia Basin Herald about the purchase. The sale was completed in mid-August.

Jaguar also bought the Central Washington Railroad, which includes a number of rail lines in the Yakima Valley.

The CBRR lines extend from Connell to Ephrata, going through Warden and Moses Lake, and include a branch line to Othello. The CBRR line connects with the BNSF tracks between Moses Lake and Ephrata.

The CBRR tracks provide access for, among others, the Port of Moses Lake. Port officials are working on a two-decade project to revive rail service to port property, which includes the donation in March of a section of CBRR track to the port.

Kim Detrolio, the port’s director of finance and information, said Thursday that the operating agreement between the port and the previous owners of the railroad will transfer to the new owners.

Milton Miller, facilities director for the port, said in an earlier interview the sale shouldn’t affect the port’s rail project. Rail service is governed by federal law, Miller said.

“There is federal law that says you can’t get rid of rail lines. That’s common carrier obligation – the federal government protects rail lines. Even if (the rail operator) wanted to shut down, they couldn’t shut it down. You would need federal approval,” Miller said.

“All we would have to do is file (a request), “No, you have to give us this rail service,’” he said.

With the addition of CBRR and CWRR, Jaguar Transport operates 13 short-line railroads, according to the press release. The company operates 13 transload locations and six industrial parks. It operates facilities in 12 states.

“We are excited to welcome the Columbia Basin Railroad,” Towner said. “The Temple family and their team have transformed good railroads into great businesses by prioritizing safe, reliable service for their employees and customers, which in turn has allowed them to invest in and support the communities they serve.”