The Port owned and operated Coos Bay Rail Line (CBRL) transports approximately $460 million worth of freight in and out of our region every year – and has kept over 185,000 trucks off the road since the Port of Coos Bay reopened the line in 2011!  These products originate from and travel to various destinations throughout the United States, and even have some international destinations like Quebec, Canada and Mexicali, Mexico.  About 89% of the product moved on the rail line is related to the timber industry.  Some inbound products come to our area to be finished, while other products leave on the line to be finished, or travel to their final destinations. 

The Coos Bay Rail Line brings in products from Canada, Georgia, Alabama, and other locations to be finished.  Once the product such as plywood is finished, it goes back out on the rail line, some destined for Home Depot and Menards distribution centers.

Product travels to the Union Pacific interchange near Eugene on the Coos Bay Rail Line, where it is connected with the National Railway network.  One railcar has the capacity of 3.3 truckloads, which provides significant savings to shippers, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 75%, and reduces traffic congestion on the highway system.

Other locations that our South Coast products touch along the way to market include:

• California: Sacramento, Stockton, Oakland, Bakersfield, Weed, Fresno
• Alabama: Fulton
• Georgia: Fitzgerald
• Illinois: Chicago
• Oregon: Prineville, The Dalles, Madras, Lebanon
• Oklahoma: Tulsa, Oklahoma City
• New York: Farmingdale, Long Island
• Texas: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio
• Colorado: Denver, Grand Junction, Loveland, Greeley
• Arizona: Phoenix, Tempe, Tuscon
• Nevada: Las Vegas, Reno
• Washington: Longview, Seattle
• Quebec, Canada
• Mexicali, Mexico.

The Coos Bay Rail Line directly employs 20 people. In addition, CBRL has 12 customers with inbound and outbound cargo consisting of wood products, fertilizer, and organic dairy feed. Annual revenue rail car loads average around 5,000 a year which is equivalent to about 16,500 truck loads.

The Port of Coos Bay is continuing oversight of rehabilitation of the 134-mile Coos Bay Rail Line in Coos County, western Douglas, and western Lane counties. These projects ensure the vitality and safety of this critical transportation link for years to come.

Think safety at all railroad crossings. Remember, it is illegal to trespass in the railroad right-of-way. The Coos Bay Rail Line partners with Oregon Operation Lifesaver and reminds everyone to Stay Off! Stay Away! Stay Alive! 

Beginning in the late-1800s, logging trains worked in remote forested areas bringing logs to rivers and the Coos Bay, Oregon, harbor.  Coal moved by rail from mines in the region to sailing ships and later steam ships for export to San Francisco.  Coos Bay’s maritime commerce has been an anchor for employment and stability for generations of families in the region for more than 100 years.

Ultimately, the building of the Coos Bay Rail Line created more opportunity.  Products moved by rail from Oregon's Willamette Valley and Roseburg to Coos Bay for export. Rail moved products that came to Coos Bay by ship and from local manufacturers to markets across North America. As Oregon’s economy expanded, ebbed and diversified – southwest Oregon’s regional prosperity has been built upon the essential infrastructure of the port and rail line.

This 134-mile rail line has supported Oregon’s economic vitality, providing businesses with direct, efficient and cost-effective access to regional, national and global markets for generations. To this day, rail remains the most efficient, cost-effective and environmentally sound way to move freight via ground transportation. 

Then came September 2007.  Following decades of neglect and underinvestment, Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad and its out-of-state hedge fund owners and management closed the rail line with one day’s notice to shippers. The investors wanted to tear up the line and sell it for scrap.  They did not see the economic and societal value of maintaining freight rail service. The immediate economic impacts of this closure on south coast communities was severe.

Recognizing the severe impact the rail line closure was having on local business and families, the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay reached out to community members and business partners. Following community and regional discussions, the Port met with state and elected officials and developed an action plan. The Port spearheaded a legal effort to acquire the railroad and reopen this shipping option.

Acquiring the railroad was a lengthy process that was successful due to the unified effort of regional businesses and state and federal officials. The Port filed a feeder line application with Surface Transportation Board (STB), resulting in the railroad immediately filing an action to abandon the line. The Port spent one year and $1.5 million in legal fees pursuing the application and defending against abandonment.

The Port of Coos Bay acquired the freight rail line in 2009-10, following an STB decision. The sale totaled $16.6 million, with the Port utilizing a $4.6 million state loan and $12 million reallocated from the Coos Bay Rail Bridge repair fund. Since then, the Port has applied for and successfully received state and federal funding to rehabilitate the line. These rehabilitation projects ensure the viability of the rail line for the regional shippers and the economy of Southwest Oregon. The Port thanks all of its state and federal funding partners for investing in the future of Southwest Oregon and the Port as a gateway for Oregon goods to get to market.

Today, service is restored and rail shipments interchange at Eugene, Oregon, with the Union Pacific Railroad, and other regional shortline rail operations.  The rail line is operating as a subsidiary of the Port as Coos Bay Rail Line Inc. serving the Coos County, western Douglas County and western Lane County region of southwest Oregon, linking the Coos Bay harbor to the North American rail system.

Environmental Stewardship is a core value for the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay.  Ensuring that our activities are executed in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner ties directly into our mission to promote sustainable development that enhances the economy of southwest Oregon and the State.  The Port continues to engage in a number of projects in recent years, including the purchase of electric vehicles for the Charleston Marina Complex, LED light installation in the Charleston Marina, and wetland mitigation in the East Bay.

Another way the Port aims to mitigate impacts on the environment is through the Coos Bay Rail Line.  The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports that railroads are the most environmentally sound way to move freight over land, being approximately four times more fuel efficient than trucks.  These efficiencies translate into reduced greenhouse gas and other emissions, by as much as 75%!

Efficiencies in freight rail transport have been increasing over time.  In 1980, railroads were moving one ton of freight an average of 235 miles on one gallon of fuel.  By 2016, railroads were moving one ton of freight an average of 468 miles on just one gallon of fuel, which translates to a 99% increase in efficiency (AAR, 2017).

Shipping freight by rail as opposed to truck has significant impacts on reducing highway congestion, as well.  Highway congestion has significant economic impacts on shippers, and economic and environmental impacts on everyone.  According to a study by the Texas Transportation Institute in 2015, highway congestion cost Americans $160 billion in wasted time (6.9 billion hours) and wasted fuel (3.1 billion gallons) in 2014.  Time and fuel costs result in lost productivity and cargo delays.  Since a single freight train can replace hundreds of trucks, increased utilization of freight rail has significant positive impacts on our transportation system and environment. 

Where is the Coos Bay Rail Line (CBRL)?
The Coos Bay Rail Line is 134 miles of track between Coquille and Eugene.

Why is CBRL called a short line railroad?
A short line railroad is a small or mid-sized railroad that operates a relative short distance compared to larger, national railroad networks. The term is primarily used in the United States and Canada. There are approximately 600 short line railroads in 48 states, and they are particularly critical as the “first and last mile” service. Which means they function frequently as the first and or/often final link between suppliers and customers who require critical goods and freight.

How many trains are currently active on the CBRL?
On average there are two trains per day that are 1,500 feet long. 

What is on the trains?
Mixed freight. Largely forest products. But we continue our efforts to diversify our materials contingent on demand from our customers. Forest products remain one of the top ten exported products in Oregon by volume and value.

Why do locomotive blast their horns, sometimes scaring the dickens out of us?
The horn, known commonly as a train whistle, is a crucial tool to alert pedestrians, motorists, and other vehicles of an approaching train. It is mandated by the Federal Rail Authority. Here are some common reasons you hear a whistle:

-          Warning at crossings. Train horns are sounded at crossings to warn those around of an approaching train. This helps prevent accidents, especially if visibility is limited or barriers are not present.

-          Clearing the track. Train horns are sounded to warn animals or people, giving them time to move to safety.

-          Communications with Railroad Workers. Train horns are also used as a means of communication between crew members on different parts of the train or with workers at the rail yards.

-          Emergency Situations. If there is an equipment malfunction or other hazard on the track, train horns may be used to alert nearby individuals or other trains to danger.

All of these guidelines are set by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The FRA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for overseeing railroad safety, including those related to train operations, equipment, and infrastructure. These regulations are designed to standardize safety practices across the railroad industry and help protect both railroad employees and the general public.

At a crossing, generally you will hear 2 long whistles, followed by a short and a long whistle. They are sounded based off the speed and size of the train and its proximity to a crossing.

Rest assured, train engineers and conductors don’t want to hear horns any more than you do. But they also want you to be safe.

What is a quiet zone?
A local government can work to create a “quiet zone”. Please note that only a “public authority” can initiate a “quiet zone” and they can be challenging to create. They will not completely eliminate train noises or the need for whistles. For more information:
https://railroads.dot.gov/railroad-safety/divisions/highway-rail-crossing-and-trespasser-programs/train-horn-rulequiet-zones

How reliable are the warning devices at tracks?
Every public crossing with warning devices are required to be tested monthly, quarterly and annually to ensure proper operation. They run off batteries to ensure reliability even when there are issues with power in the area.

What should we do if we encounter a gate that is "stuck" or for some reason we can’t pass?
Each crossing has a number on the housing that has an identifying crossing number and a contact number. Call that number for assistance.

How fast can a train go on the Coos Bay Rail Line?
CBRL trains generally go between 5 and 10 miles an hour.

Are there trains going between Coos Bay and Coquille? There used to be trains there.
Currently there are not trains going between Coos Bay and Coquille, but that could change in the future.

Are there best practices to follow when encountering a railway crossing?
Absolutely! Here are some best practices for encountering a railway crossing:

-Obey warning signs and signals. These are in place to alert you to the presence of trains and indicate when it is safe.

- Stop, Look, Listen. Stop your vehicle at least 15 feet away from the railway tracks when the warning signals are activated. Look both ways along the tracks and listen for the sound of an approaching train before proceeding.

- Never try to beat the train.  Even if you think you can beat it, don’t try it. Trains are much faster and heavier than they appear and cannot stop quickly.

- Use extra caution at passive crossings. The CBRL has a lot of these. At crossings without active warning signals or gates, exercise extra caution. Roll down your windows, turn off loud music, and look and listen for approaching trains.

- Watch multiple tracks. Some railway crossings have multiple tracks. Ensure that all tracks are clear before crossing, as another train may be approaching on a different track.

- Avoid stopping on tracks. Never stop your vehicle on the railway tracks, even temporarily.

- Beware of train length. Trains can extend beyond the length of the crossing itself. Make sure there is enough space for your vehicle to clear the tracks completely before proceeding.

- Never walk on railway tracks. It is illegal and extremely dangerous to walk on railway tracks. Always use designated pedestrian crossings or bridges to cross tracks safely.

What kind of ties are used on the railroad?
95% of the railroad ties in America are wood. There are also concrete, steel, and emerging plastic technologies.

Are old ties available to the public?
CBRL ties are currently not available to the public.

Some of those bridges look a little old, how often are they inspected?
Despite the bridges' age, they are well built bridges that we are continually inspecting and upgrading. The Coos Bay Rail Line hired a full-time bridge inspector in 2024. The inspector reviews every bridge annually. There are 121 water crossings that are all inspected.

How much freight moves on the line?
Approximately $500 million worth of freight moves annually on the CBRL.

Why can’t you tell us what is on every train and how fast they are going and where they are headed?
The biggest reason is safety and security. Given the sensitivity of major transportation infrastructure there are serious national security concerns with railroad operations. Much of the daily operational information cannot be distributed publicly due to requirements from federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Additionally, railroads operate complex and dynamic networks and train schedules can be subject to frequent changes due to factors such as weather, track conditions, maintenance activities and traffic congestion.

Why are there ongoing repairs happening on the railroad? What am I seeing out there?
You are likely seeing upgrades that are part of the nearly $25 million of grants the Port obtained from state and federal sources in recent years. The Port has invested almost $100 million in the railroad since taking over operations.

How fast might trains go with the new PCIP container terminal?
The trains could increase in speed up to 25 miles per hour. There are many considerations between now and the completion of the project that will factor into the speeds and train volumes. A major component of the project would be upgrades to the entire rail line.

Will current customers be serviced while these upgrades are happening?
The Port intends to do everything in its power to maintain its service to existing customers while making future upgrades.

How does the railroad prioritize safety in its operations?
Safety is CBRL’s top priority. We prioritize safety through regular track inspections, maintenance programs, employee training, and compliance with federal safety regulations. By investing in safety measures, we aim to ensure the well-being of our employees, customers, and the communities we serve. We are in constant communication with the Federal Railway Association and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Can I contact someone if I see something on the railroad that’s concerning? Even if it’s after business hours?
If you have a general inquiry, please submit a question through the Port’s website:
https://www.portofcoosbay.com/contact-us

If there is an emergency, the CBRL has a manager on duty 24 hours a day.
The number goes directly to the individual on call at the time:  1-877-928-5924.

Is there passenger service on the CBRL?
CBRL does not provide passenger service.

What is the Railriders program?
While passenger service does not exist, if you want to experience what it is like to be on the railroad, the City of Coquille has partnered with the Oregon Coast Railriders to provide a unique experience  pedaling a power pedaled quadricycle along an inactive part of the CBRL.

https://www.cityofcoquille.org/

or

https://joyrails.com/ocrailriders/

Do you have questions you don't see answered? Send them our way, and we will do our best!
https://www.portofcoosbay.com/contact-us