Our History

Tacoma Public Utilities is the only utility in the country that owns and operates a railroad connected to the North American rail network.  Tacoma Rail has been part of Tacoma’s working waterfront for more than 100 years. It began serving the waterfront in 1914 as the Tacoma Municipal Belt Line Railway. 

In 1925, a Tacoma City Charter amendment transferred the railroad to Tacoma Public Utilities. At the time, the railroad carried freight and passengers, including workers traveling to and from the Port of Tacoma. 

Over the years, Tacoma Rail grew and changed with the region. The Tidelands Division became freight-only in 1937. Tacoma Rail later expanded its service beyond the Port, including the Lakewood Subdivision through South Tacoma. 

From 1998 to 2023, Tacoma Rail also operated the Mountain Division. In 2023, most of the line was sold by the City of Tacoma and is no longer in active railroad service. 

Today, Tacoma Rail provides freight service through the Tidelands Division and Lakewood Subdivision. It supports local businesses, the Port of Tacoma, and regional commerce by connecting customers to the North American rail network. 

Tacoma Rail continues a more than 100-year tradition of moving goods and supporting Tacoma’s economy.