Locomotive manufacturer buys 39 acres in Spokane Valley, but officials haven’t revealed plans for the property

A subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. has purchased 39 acres in a Spokane Valley industrial park, but company officials aren’t commenting on plans for the property.

Progress Rail Services Corp. paid $3.2 million for the property in March. The Alabama-based company builds diesel-electric locomotives for commercial railroads and diesel engines for a variety of uses, including oil well drilling rigs, according to its website.

Progress Rail bought the land from Centennial Properties, which is developing a 100-acre industrial park with a rail spur at the intersection of Barker and Euclid roads. Centennial Properties is owned by Cowles Co., which also owns The Spokesman-Review.

Progress Rail has not filed any documents with Spokane Valley about its plans for the property, city officials said. Company spokeswoman Barbara Jansen did not respond to requests for comment.

Progress Rail was acquired in 2006 by Caterpillar, which has a large distribution center on the West Plains. The Caterpillar center distributes equipment parts to the Northwest, Canada and Alaska.

Spokane Valley has been working to increase its inventory of industrial ground, with the goal of recruiting manufacturers to the city.