Oregon short line begins operations

Coos Bay Rail Link (CBR), a 133-mile short line headquartered in its namesake Oregon town, began revenue operations Wednesday with a tain moving from Union Pacific Railroad at Eugene to Cordes on Oregon’s south coast.

Operations will be extended 17 additional miles to Coos Bay and Coquille in early 2012, as track and bridges are renovated, CBR said.

“Initially, we are providing service to customers as needed,” said General Manager Tom Foster. “Forest products will be a major source of traffic.” .

Coos Bay Rail Link is owned by Benson, Ariz.-based ARG Trans, a railroad investment company.

The former Central Oregon and Pacific track had been closed since 2007 and was purchased by the Port in 2009.