A detailed journey through time
For over a century, The Apache Railway Company has been more than just a short line in northeastern Arizona. It’s been a lifeline for industries, a symbol of resilience during crises, and a community anchor. From hauling White Mountain timber and lumber in 1917 to national markets, to today’s certified railcar repair and storage services, Apache’s story mirrors the region it serves.
A legacy line that kept rolling
The Apache Railway was incorporated in 1917 to connect Holbrook with the timber-rich White Mountains. The line expanded to McNary by 1920, hauling logs and lumber through the roaring twenties before weathering the Great Depression. Over the decades, Apache carried timber, pulp, and paper, later adapting to new freight demands.
The 2012 closure of its then owner, the Snowflake paper mill, nearly ended the railroad but for a coalition of local investors who intervened, and managed to purchase the railroad in 2015. That effort ensured Apache would remain a key part of northeastern Arizona’s industrial backbone. Today, Apache operates as a modern short line, supporting rail-dependent businesses with freight, repair, storage, and logistics services.
Foundation and Early Growth (1917–1920)
- Sept 5, 1917 – Incorporated under Arizona law to build from Holbrook to timber reserves on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
- 1918 – First 38 miles completed from Holbrook to Snowflake.
- 1920 – Extended to McNary; full 72-mile line.
Depression Challenges (1920s–1930s)
Photo by The Oregon State University Collections and Archives
- 1924: Cady Lumber, a Louisiana timber company, acquires Apache Lumber, including timber leases on the Fort Apache Reservation and the railway.
- 1931–1936: Operated under receivership during the Great Depression; emerged intact.
Wartime Service & Passenger Operations (1940s–1950s)
- 1940s: Carried timber and lumber for WWII construction and munitions crates.
- 1944: Tracks extended to Maverick logging camp.
- Passenger service continued into the 1950s, with mixed trains until 1954.
Paper Mill Era & Tourism (1960s–1970s)
- 1960: Paper mill opens near Snowflake, becomes primary traffic base.
- 1964–1976: White Mountain Scenic Railroad offers steam excursions from McNary to Maverick.
- 1976: Tourist operation ceases; equipment moved to Utah.
Contraction & Retrenchment (1980s)
- 1982: McNary sawmill closes; 37 miles of track abandoned.
- Apache becomes Arizona’s last logging railroad.
- Mainline reduced to current 36 miles from Holbrook to Snowflake.
Ownership Changes (1990s–2000s)
- 1998: Stone Container sells papermill and railway to Abitibi-Consolidated.
- 2008: Catalyst Paper acquires papermill and railway.
Crisis and Rescue (2010s)
- Sept 2012: Catalyst Paper files for bankruptcy, Snowflake mill announces its closure; the Apache’s workforce falls to 8.
- 2012–2015: Community leaders form Snowflake Community Foundation to operate the Apache with the purpose of saving the line.
- Nov 2015: Apache purchased by Aztec Land and Cattle Co., Ltd., the area's largest landowner and an integral part of the community since 1884, and MPS Eggs, a large mid-western egg producer.
Modern Revival (2015–Present)
- 2015: Workforce expands to 21 employees.
- 2018: Facility adapted for tank car repair; earns AAR M-1002 & M-1003 certifications.
- 2024: Donates ALCO RS-36 #800 to Navajo County Historical Society.
- 2024: Continues operations with vintage ALCO C420s and C424s.
A history still in motion
The Apache Railway Company is living history. It’s a century-old short line that continues to evolve, serving today’s freight customers while preserving its legacy for the future.