Transfer of rail spur is officially complete

Mayor Rich Sykes and Col. Goodman, Wing Commander of the 366th Fighter Wing, commemoratively lay “golden” spikes at the spot where the rail spur, formally belonging to the U.S. Air Force, joins the mainline, effectively connecting Mountain Home to the world.

The City of Mountain Home hosted distinguished guests from Mountain Home Air Force Base, including 366th Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Richard A. Goodman, for a commemorative signing and “golden spike” ceremony on Oct. 11th.

The signing and ceremony commemorated the completion of the transfer of the former Mountain Home Air Force Base rail spur to the City of Mountain Home. This acquisition has been pursued by previous administrations but came to fruition only recently through the combined efforts of MHAFB personnel, City personnel, the Special Military Liaison to the Governor, and Idaho’s congressmen in Washington. Ultimately, it was wording included by Congressman Mike Simpson in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 that authorized the transfer. MHAFB leadership has since worked closely with the Mountain Home Economic Development team to finalize the transfer.

“This is something we could not have accomplished on our own,” said Mountain Home Mayor Rich Sykes. “The support and guidance from our elected officials, Air Force leadership and experts was essential to the success of this effort, and we couldn’t be more thankful for that.”

The City plans to refurbish the line and make it a central selling point to attract new business to a rail industrial park adjacent to the spur. The site has also been selected by Union Pacific as the company’s only Focus Site in Idaho. More information about Union Pacific Focus Sites can be found on their website at https://www.up.com/customers/within-reach/focus_launch/index.htm [up.com]

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