The Eastern Idaho Railroad (reporting marks, EIRR) is a relatively new short line operation beginning in late 1993 when it took over operation of two former Union Pacific branch lines in Idaho.
The branches are disconnected and run roughly west/southwest from Minidoka, Idaho and north/northeast from Idaho Falls, Idaho (also the railroad’s headquarters).
The history of these lines date back to the late 19th century and were later purchased by the Oregon Short Line.
Today the Watco family of short line railroads based out of Pittsburg, Kansas, owns the Eastern Idaho Railroad, whose base of operations is in Twin Falls.
Given that the short line, today sees a significant and growing amount of traffic its future appears to be quite stable under Watco.
Most of the Union Pacific's trackage northwest of Wyoming came through ownership of the Oregon Short Line Railway.
This operation, later renamed the Oregon Short Line Railroad after the Union Pacific fell into receivership in 1893, was originally formed by UP in 1881 as a means of continuing its Northwestern expansion.
UP came up with the term "Short Line" term to invoke the shortest and fastest railroad between Wyoming and western Oregon.
Such monikers were a common tactic in railroad development as promoters looked to gain any advantage possible in the public arena and securing funding for their project.
The most widely used title was "Air Line," which described a railroad built with virtually no curves or grades. It required huge fills and deep cuts with the right-of-way typically soaring over the surrounding valley or region (hence the term "Air Line").
Unfortunately, most such projects were either shelved or never completed due to their enormous cost.
Through the OSL, Union Pacific was eventually able to reach Portland through ownership of the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company in 1898.
This was also how the OSL expanded its system for its parent by purchasing and taking over smaller lines.
A History Of Idaho's Railroads
More About Short Line Railroads
A Guide To Most U.S. Short Line Carriers
Union Pacific, "Be Specific - Ship Union Pacific"
The Eastern Idaho Railroad's property was primarily built by two companies:
The Union Pacific continued to operate much of its secondary and branch lines in the Pacific Northwest until deregulation in 1980 after which point it began to slowly sell off or abandon segments it considered either outright unprofitable or of too low value to retain.
By 1993 the
Class I began looking to shed its secondary lines in eastern Idaho and
by November had sold to the newly formed Eastern Idaho Railroad one of
the single largest segments of track in the company's history,
comprising some 270 miles covering several various branches.
Model Type | Road Number | Notes | Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
GP30 | 705, 2204, 2274, 3144-3145, 4203, 4260 | Ex-PRR/Reading/C&O/B&O | 7 |
GP35r | 782, 785-786, 788, 791, 793, 798 | Ex-Western Pacific | 7 |
GP35m | 2646 | Ex-Southern | 1 |
SD45 | 3133, 3167, 6513, 6525 | Ex-Southern/PRR | 3 |
GP35 | 3669 | Ex-Erie Lackawanna | 1 |
Overall the EIRR is quite busy between the two branches it operates, seeing well over 35,000 annual carloads with traffic based in agriculture, food-based products, coal, limestone, chemicals, aggregates, and coal.
Of note for those who have seen the railroad its livery is interesting in being similar to that of the late Milwaukee Road with orange along the flanks and black used towards the bottom and top of the locomotives.
Currently the Eastern Idaho's diesel locomotive power is made up entirely of EMDs (most of which are Geeps) and includes GP30s, GP35s (various), and SD45s.
Please note that the above road numbers are the originals assigned by the Eastern Idaho prior
to Watco ownership, although I do not believe they have since changed.
Header Photo: Drew Jacksich
Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource in the study of steam locomotives.
The amount of information found there is quite staggering; historical backgrounds of wheel arrangements, types used by virtually every railroad, preserved and operational examples, and even those used in other countries (North America and beyond).
It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. It is a must visit!
A popular pastime for many is studying and/or exploring abandoned rights-of-way.
Today, there are tens of thousands of miles scattered throughout the country. Many were pulled up in the 1970's and 1980's although others were removed long before that.
If you are researching active or abandoned corridors you might want to check out the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Historical Topographic Map Explorer.
It is an excellent resource with thousands of historic maps on file throughout the country. Just type in a town or city and click on the timeline of maps at the bottom of the page!