UP expands ‘GoTrain’ service to South Dakota

Union Pacific Railroad has agreed to interchange directly with short line Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad, which transports inbound fertilizer and outbound crops directly to and from farm producers across South Dakota.

   Union Pacific Railroad is expanding its GoTrain service to areas of South Dakota, according to a statement from the company.
   The Omaha, Neb.-based Class I railway agreed to interchange directly with short line Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCPE) at its Mankato, Minn., rail yard.
   RCPE transports inbound fertilizer and outbound crops directly to and from farm producers across South Dakota.
   UP said the interchange will allow the railroads to provide a faster, more direct service to area customers as cargo will no longer have to be transferred to a third railroad in transit.
   “We are committed to working with our Class I railroad partners to provide competitive transportation solutions,” RCPE President Brad Ovitt said of the agreement. “The interchange at Mankato provides another effective gateway for South Dakota shippers to take advantage of business opportunities across Union Pacific’s network.”