Snake River Valley Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Snake River Valley Railroad built a rail line on the left (southeast) bank of the Snake River
between Wallula and Grange City, Washington, United States, a distance of 65.85 miles (106 km). The company was incorporated in Oregon
on March 3, 1898, and opened its line, operated by the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company
(OR&N), on December 1, 1899. It connected to the OR&N at both ends, providing a better route to Spokane than the existing line via Walla Walla. The properties of both companies were conveyed to new Union Pacific Railroad
(UP) subsidiary Oregon–Washington Railroad and Navigation Company on December 23, 1910.
The Snake River Valley Railroad also did some work on the right bank above Riparia for a continuation to Lewiston, Idaho
, which was instead completed by the Oregon, Washington and Idaho Railroad
. (Between Grange City and Riparia, the OR&N already owned a line, including a bridge at Riparia.)
The line between Wallula and Grange City is still operated by the UP as a main line, mostly as part of the Hinkle, Oregon
– Spokane, Washington
Ayer Subdivision. At Ayer Junction, this line turns north across the Snake River, and the remaining distance to Grange City is part of the Riparia Subdivision.
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
between Wallula and Grange City, Washington, United States, a distance of 65.85 miles (106 km). The company was incorporated in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
on March 3, 1898, and opened its line, operated by the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company
Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company
The Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company was a railroad that operated a rail network of of track running east from Portland, Oregon, United States to northeastern Oregon, northeastern Washington, and northern Idaho...
(OR&N), on December 1, 1899. It connected to the OR&N at both ends, providing a better route to Spokane than the existing line via Walla Walla. The properties of both companies were conveyed to new Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
(UP) subsidiary Oregon–Washington Railroad and Navigation Company on December 23, 1910.
The Snake River Valley Railroad also did some work on the right bank above Riparia for a continuation to Lewiston, Idaho
Lewiston, Idaho
Lewiston is a city in and also the county seat of Nez Perce County in the Pacific Northwest state of Idaho. It is the second-largest city in the northern Idaho region, behind Coeur d'Alene and ninth-largest in the state. Lewiston is the principal city of the Lewiston, ID - Clarkston, WA...
, which was instead completed by the Oregon, Washington and Idaho Railroad
Oregon, Washington and Idaho Railroad
The Oregon, Washington and Idaho Railroad built a rail line along the right bank of the Snake River between Riparia, Washington and Lewiston, Idaho...
. (Between Grange City and Riparia, the OR&N already owned a line, including a bridge at Riparia.)
The line between Wallula and Grange City is still operated by the UP as a main line, mostly as part of the Hinkle, Oregon
Hinkle, Oregon
Hinkle is an unincorporated community in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. It is located south of Hermiston near U.S. Route 30/Interstate 84 and Oregon Route 207, within the Pendleton–Hermiston Micropolitan Statistical Area...
– Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
Ayer Subdivision. At Ayer Junction, this line turns north across the Snake River, and the remaining distance to Grange City is part of the Riparia Subdivision.