Columbia Basin Railroad may be in process of sale
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months AGO
A filing with the federal Surface Transportation Board indicates the Columbia Basin Railroad may be in the process of being sold.
FILE PHOTO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | July 15, 2025 6:28 PM
WARDEN — The Columbia Basin Railroad may be in the process of being sold. In a request filed with the federal Surface Transportation Board, Jaguar Transport Holdings, Joplin, Mo., said it plans to buy CBRR.
“(Jaguar Transport Holdings) has entered into a unit purchase agreement to acquire control of (Columbia Basin Railroad Company),” according to the filing. “(Jaguar Transport Holdings will close on the (Columbia Basin Railroad) transaction – thereby adding to its shortline holdings.”
The STB filing estimated the sale would be completed by Aug. 13.
The sale is partially dependent on approval from BNSF, the filing said, since BNSF sold the rail line to CBRR originally. The sale gave BNSF the right of first refusal on any sale, according to the filing.
The CBRR lines extend from Connell to Ephrata, going through Warden and Moses Lake, and include a branch line to Othello.
Jaguar Transport Holdings is also purchasing the Central Washington Railroad, which includes rail lines from Toppenish to Grandview.
Jaguar Transport Holdings provides rail service and transloading capability, mostly in the Midwest, Southwest and West, according to its website. The company owns a rail line based in Medical Lake, the website said.
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