Pend Oreille Valley

Company History: First of all, Pend Oreille is pronounced “Ponderay.” POVA runs between Metaline Falls, Washington and Dover, Idaho. Customers include Ponderay Newsprint, Bell Pole, TriPro Cedar Products, Dynonobel, Mountain West Bark, Stimson Lumber, and Idaho Forest Products. The company was launched in 1979 when the Port of Pend Oreille bought the branch from Mataline Falls to Newport from Milwaukee Road who was in the process of abandoning their line to the Pacific. For the first five years, operations were handled by the Kyle Railways shortline group before the Port of Pend Oreille took over operation on their own. In 1998, BNSF sold POVA the link from Newport to Dover. Excursions occasionally are run on the line from Ione to Matline Falls.

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