Incorporated in the Territory of Wyoming on 26th June, 1886. The line proposed was from Nampa, Territory of Idaho, to Yaquina Bay, Oregon, and from Nampa, Territory of Idaho, via Boise, northwesterly by the most eligible route to a junction with the Northern Pacific railroad but only 19 miles was constructed from the Oregon Short Line Railway Company at Nampa, Idaho Territory, to a point near Boise. Completed in 1887.

On 27th July, 1889, consolidated with the Oregon Short Line Railway Company, Utah and Northern Railway Company, Utah Central Railway Company, Salt Lake and Western Railway Company, Utah and Nevada Railway Company, Ogden and Syracuse Railway Company and the Nevada Pacific Railway Company to form the Oregon Short Line and Utah Northern Railway Company.