We seek to create railroad connections throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The Oregon Independence Railroad (OIRR), recognized by the STB as a Class III short line railroad on October 21, 2020, purchased about a half mile of the Valley and Siletz Railroad on June 22, 2021. The original Valley and Siletz Railroad was Built in 1916 as a 40 mile logging railroad track that connected a lumber mill in the Boise Cascade town of Valsetz to a branch in Independence, Oregon. The various rail owners abandoned the track in segments over time until May of 1992, when the track stopped operating completely. The remaining half mile of track has remained dormant until now and plans for a full railyard in Independence have been developed. The OIRR is excited to restore the railyard and track and bring more rail transportation to Oregon communities.
The Oregon Independence Railroad seeks to create railroad connections throughout the Pacific Northwest, because we care for Oregon. Rail transportation assists in cleaning and preserving the environment, improving local economies, and reducing traffic congestion on highways. The OIRR aims to help improve Oregon’s multimodal system to help meet the transportation needs of the future. Right now, the OIRR is on track rehabilitating the railroad, determining the best use for the land, and securing funding for project development.
The OIRR has progressed into phase two of our strategic plan to determine the best use for the track. Our intermodal plans include contacting local businesses and land owners, securing funding, and working with public officials.
As it is now, the remaining track extends about a mile from a point of connection with the Portland and Western Railroad to Independence. Our first interline move is restoring the track and station located in Independence.
The OIRR hopes to forge new rail connections to assist underserved communities in Oregon, such as Woodburn. Located between Salem and Portland, Woodburn is a culturally diverse farming community in the heart of the Willamette Valley.
The Coos Bay Rail Line spans from Coos Bay to Eugene, Oregon and provides transportation links to manufacturing companies. The OIRR would like to establish a transportation relationship with the existing rail system in Coos Bay.
The V&S Railroad was incorporated in 1912 by the Cobbs and Mitchell Lumber Company. The track was used to transport forest products from a mill in the Boise Cascade town of Valsetz to Independence, Oregon. The town of Valsetz was a lumber company town whose name was simply a contraction of the railroad company it served. At its peak, the line owned eight steam locomotives and was about 40 miles long. After several changes of ownership, the line was abandoned in segments and by the end of 1979, only 1.8 miles of track were in operation and the town of Valsetz was demolished. The remaining track continued being used until May of 1992. The track remained dormant until the OIRR purchased the remaining track in July of 2021.
Because we care about Oregon.
