Idaho Northern Railroad History and Operations

The Idaho Northern Railroad has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century. It was founded in 1881 as a subsidiary of the Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company.

The railroad's early years were marked by rapid expansion, with the construction of new tracks and the acquisition of existing lines. It played a crucial role in the development of the region's mining industry.

One of the railroad's most notable features is its 112-mile main line, which runs from Pocatello to St. Maries. This line is still in operation today, providing freight and passenger services to the region.

The Idaho Northern Railroad has a rich history dating back to 1900 when the first 27 miles of track were constructed from Nampa to Emmett. This was the start of a 132.8-mile branch line that would eventually become one of the most beautiful and scenic railroads in the country.

The line was built by the Idaho Northern Railway and was later acquired by the Oregon Short Line in 1912. The Oregon Short Line completed the remaining 45.7 miles to Lakeport, now McCall, in 1914.

In 1947, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation relocated approximately 16 miles of track between Cascade and Donnelly due to the construction of Cascade Dam and the resulting reservoir on the North Fork of the Payette River.

The Idaho Northern Branch was known for its steep grades, with some stretches as steep as three percent. Steam helpers were used between Banks and Smiths Ferry to assist with the heavy grades.

Here's a brief overview of the Idaho Northern Branch's divisions:

The Idaho Northern Railroad played a significant role in the logging and livestock industries in the region, with logs and lumber producing the greatest amount of traffic on the branch.

The Idaho Northern Railroad has a robust infrastructure and equipment to support its operations. The railroad's main line stretches for 236 miles, connecting the towns of Pocatello and Sandpoint.

The railroad's equipment includes a fleet of locomotives, including GE Evolution Series and EMD SD70MAC diesel-electric locomotives. These locomotives are capable of hauling heavy freight and passenger trains.

The Idaho Northern Railroad also maintains a network of rail lines, sidings, and yards to facilitate efficient train movements and storage of freight.

The Idaho Northern & Pacific Railroad (INPR) operates over four former Union Pacific branch lines in southwestern Idaho and northeastern Oregon. These lines include the Idaho Division, which runs from Payette to Cascade, Oregon, covering a distance of 100.9 miles.

INPR provides freight service for agricultural products, forest products, and chemicals. The Oregon Division runs from La Grande to Elgin, Oregon, a distance of 20.6 miles.

INPR began operations on November 14, 1993, over four former Union Pacific branch lines: the Idaho Northern Branch, the New Meadows Branch, the Payette Branch, and the Joseph Branch. These lines cover a total distance of 332.3 miles.

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The Idaho Northern Branch runs from Nampa to McCall, Idaho, a distance of 132.8 miles. This branch line was constructed in 1900-02 and was later completed in 1914.

Here is a list of the INPR lines with their respective lengths:

Locomotives were a crucial part of the Idaho Northern Railway's (INRy) operations, and their history is a fascinating one. The INRy 101 locomotive, built in 1907 by Baldwin, was initially used by the Idaho Northern Railway before being sold to the Oregon Short Line (OSL) in 1913.

The INRy 101 was one of two locomotives of its kind, with the other being the INRy 200, which was also built by Baldwin in 1909. The INRy 200 was initially used by the Idaho Northern Railway before being sold to the OSL in 1913.

The INRy 201 locomotive had a particularly complex history, with multiple changes in ownership and upgrades. It was originally built in 1887 as U&N 730 and later became OSL 304 in 1897. The locomotive was sold to the Boise, Nampa & Owyhee Railroad in 1901 and then to the Idaho Northern Railway in 1907.

On a similar theme: Union Pacific Railroad Co. V. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

Here's a table summarizing the different locomotives and their specifications:

The OSL's Salt Lake shops were responsible for rebuilding and upgrading many of these locomotives, including the INRy 201, which had its drive wheel diameter increased from 62 inches to 69 inches in 1897. The locomotives were also used for various other railroads, such as the Boise, Nampa & Owyhee Railroad, which purchased several locomotives from the OSL in the early 20th century.