Copper Basin Railway, Inc. CBRY #909

Nature of Firm

CBRY operates freight service from a connection with the UP at Magma, Arizona.  Its main line runs from Magma to Winkelman, Arizona, a distance of 54 miles. A branch line runs 7 miles, from Ray Junction to Ray, Arizona. Freight includes copper concentrates, ore, finished and unfinished copper, sulfuric acid, lumber, Gatorade, plastics and military equipment. Connection is made with the San Manuel Arizona Railroad (SMA) at Hayden, Arizona. CBRY handles SMA traffic from Hayden to interchange with UP, at Magma.

History

The Magma-Winkelman line was constructed by the Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) subsidiary Phoenix and Eastern Railroad between 1902-1904.  On March 10, 1910, the Phoenix and Eastern was leased and became a non-operating subsidiary of the SP and operated by the Arizona Eastern Railroad. The railroad was sold to the Arizona Eastern Railroad on October 31, 1945. The Arizona Eastern Railroad was merged into SP on September 30, 1955.  At some point SP sold the line to mine operator Kennecott Copper. On August 15, 1986, the line was sold by Kennecott Copper and the CBRY was started. The CBRY was owned by Rail Management Corporation from 1986-2005. In 2006, ASARCO Copper Corporation purchased the entire railroad. ASARCO also owns the Ray Mine and Hayden Smelter, CBRY's primary customers.

Company Information

WebsiteASARCO
Company AffiliationASARCO
Interchange PointsMagma, AZ
Agreement TypeHandling Carrier
Information Exchange MethodRMI