Grain Train

Company History: The Washington Grain Train is operated by the Washington State Department of Tansportation and serves over 2,500 cooperative members and farmers in one of the most productive grain-growing regions in the world. The Washington Grain Train helps carry thousands of tons of grain to deepwater ports along the Columbia River and Puget Sound for transport to ships bound for Pacific Rim markets.

The Washington Grain Train began operations in 1994 and currently has 118 grain cars in the fleet (100 are owned by the state, and 18 are owned by the Port of Walla Walla). The Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway Company, and Washington short-line railroads operate the cars and carry the grain to market.

Successor/Parent History: The Washington State Department of Transportation is the steward of a multimodal transportation system and responsible for ensuring that people and goods move safely and efficiently. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT is responsible for the state ferry system, and works in partnership with others to maintain and improve local roads, railroads and airports, as well as to support alternatives to driving, such as public transportation, bicycles and pedestrian programs.

WSDOT owns three Talgo train sets in the Amtrak Cascades fleet and manages the Palouse River and Coulee City Rail system.

Brief History: The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.