Evening light glints off an Apache Railway engine in the Snowflake yard.
Photo © Patrick Phelan — used by permission.
A legacy line built for the long haul
From its founding in 1917 and initiation of operations in about 1920, Apache had stretched 72 miles into Arizona’s forests, providing logging jobs and connecting local resources to national markets.
The line endured through wars, recessions, and industry shifts, outlasting most short lines of its kind. Timber, and later pulp and paper, defined its history up to 2012. That year, Apache’s largest customer and owner—the Snowflake paper mill—filed for bankruptcy and closed, bringing the Apache to an uncertain future.
For three years, the railroad continued to operate and struggled to free itself from ownership of the papermill. It was nearly lost in the papermill’s liquidation, until a group of local investors stepped in with funding to buy the Apache out of the liquidation.
Their goal was more than nostalgia – it was to preserve The Apache Railway Company as a practical investment in the region’s future.
A modern short line with deep roots
Today, The Apache Railway Company serves as a regional backbone for industries that depend on rail. From freight and transloading to railcar repair, tank car qualification, cleaning, and storage, Apache combines the strength of a century-old railroad with the flexibility of a service-first logistics partner.
Its 63 miles of track connect directly to BNSF’s transcontinental mainline, giving shippers reliable interchange and strategic access to national markets. Apache is both FRA- and AAR-certified, trusted by Class I railroads and shippers alike. The line is also known for its fleet of ALCO locomotives—machines that have been in service for decades.
Explore more about Apache
A century in the making—and still building. Learn how our history and certifications shape the work we do today.
More than a business
The Apache Railway Company is a community institution as much as an industrial one. It provides skilled jobs, supports local resilience, and remains a key driver of economic development in Navajo County and beyond.
Our current ownership has roots in northeastern Arizona dating back to 1884 and a continued commitment to the region and serving the region’s industries. For shippers, fleet owners, leasing agents, and logistics teams, the Apache offers something rare: the experience of a century-old railroad, with the adaptability of service-focused ownership.
Our values
Service – We serve our customers, our community, and our region’s rail infrastructure.
Safety – Every operation meets or exceeds federal and state requirements.
Integrity – We run with transparency, accountability, and pride in the work we do.
Partner with Apache
From hazardous railcar storage, rail car repair, to new freight opportunities, The Apache Railway Company connects Arizona’s industries to the wider, nationwide rail network.