Columbia Basin Railroad may be in process of sale
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks 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.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.