In 2004, OmniTRAX leased to purchase the eastern fork, and purchased the western fork, from BNSF, while having running rights on the Chewelah–Kettle Falls section. In 2006, the KFR abandoned the 28.5-mile (45.9 km) San Poil–Danville section.[4]
It is unclear whether the rails across the border were removed at this time or during the subsequent years. In 2019, the St. Paul & Pacific Northwest Railroad (STPP) acquired the Chewelah–Columbia Gardens section.[5]
Initial interlining was with BNSF to the south at Chewelah and Kettle Falls, Grand Forks Railway (GFR) to the northwest at Grand Forks, and International Rail Road Systems (IRRS) to the northeast at Columbia Gardens.[3] In 2010, ATCO Wood Products replaced IRRS, and was renamed the Nelson and Fort Sheppard Railway Corporation in 2012.[6] After the 2019 STPP acquisition, two KFR interlines remained, a new one with STPP at Kettle Falls,[5] and the existing one with GFR.[3]
In 2020, OmniTRAX announced the planned closure of the Grand Forks–Laurier section of the KFR line within three years. A similar proposal in 2008 did not eventuate.[7]
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