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The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) isn’t the new owner of the Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad (PCC) just yet, but the agency already has lined up operators for two of PCC’s three branch lines.

WSDOT recently selected US Rail Partners Ltd. to operate the “CW” line between Coulee City and Spokane, and the Washington and Idaho Railway Inc. to operate the “P&L” line between Marshall and Pullman. The companies will assume operations in mid-June pending the finalization of operating agreements.

WSDOT expects to complete the purchase of the 300-mile PCC from the Watco Cos. Inc. later this month. Watco will continue to operate the “PV Hooper” line between Thornton and Pullman under an existing operating agreement with the state.

US Rail Partners plans to operate the CW line under the name Eastern Washington Gateway Railroad. Affiliated with the BG & CM Railroad operating in Idaho, the Washington and Idaho Railway currently operates the P&L line under a sublease from Watco.