Blue Mountain

Company History: The BLMR was launched in 1992 when the Watco shortline group leased routes from Union Pacific. They ran two separate lines in the states of Washington and Oregon. The first ran from Zanger Junction to Walla Walla, Washington with a branch from Dayton, Washington through Walla Walla to Westen, Oregon. The second line ran from Hooper Junction through Colfax with a branch from Winona to Thornton, all in Washington. They also had trackage rights on the UP from Hooper Junction to Wallula. Total mileage was 202. In 1996, Watco picked up more routes in the area, this time from BNSF. They established the Palouse River & Coulee City to operate them. Much of the Blue Mountain Railroad system was transferred to the PR&CC. Sometime after 2000, the remaining BLMR operations were reassigned to the PR&CC and the Blue Mountain became a paper railroad.

Successor/Parent History: The Watco shortline group is known for painting locomotives in special schemes for universities and even high schools along their lines. We own or operate over 5,500 miles of short line track in North America and Australia. Our vast network connects to all Class I railroads. You get the most efficient, cost-effective route for your shipment.

Using your locomotives or our own, Watco provides switching services at your manufacturing facility. Our experienced teams improve safety, reduce risks, and minimize costs.

Let Watco take care of your inactive railcars, so you can stay focused on your active fleet. Safely house empty or loaded railcars across our nationwide network of short line railroads and terminals.

Our proactive management, in-transit tracking, and real-time communication let you know where your cars are every minute of every day. And, our scheduled maintenance programs keep your rolling stock rolling.

Brief History: The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.