Expansion considered for St. Maries River Railroad

The buyer of the St. Maries River Railroad in North Idaho says there are plans to expand the business. The Richmond, Mo.-based Williams Group is buying the railroad from Potlatch Corp. in a deal expected to be finished next month. Terms have not been disclosed. The railroad employs 13 and runs 91 miles from Bovill to Plummer, mainly hauling finished timber products between St. Maries and Plummer to connect with the Union Pacific. After the sale, Potlatch will continue to contract with the railroad to haul lumber and plywood, said Mark Benson, the company’s spokesman. Potlatch has operated the railroad since 1980 but cut back hauling logs from St. Maries to a Clarkia log yard about two years ago. The Williams Group operates another short-line railroad in Idaho. Manager Mike Williams said his company is evaluating opening a repair shop for rail cars and locomotives in St. Maries.