Northern Plains Railroad marks 20 years of service

Northern Plains Railroad (NPR) has launched a new logo as it celebrates its 20th year in business serving customers in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Launched in 1997, NPR first operated out of a small office in Devils Lake, N.D., where it served the surrounding area on the former Soo Line/Canadian Pacific Railway "wheat lines," NPR officials said in a press release.

The short line began with 15 employees and five leased locomotives. Today, NPR employs 150 people, manages 25 locomotives and provides a variety of third-party rail services.

"While we are pleased with our track record of growth, we are also proud that our focus continues to be on agricultural customers," said NPR Chairman Gregg Haug. "Our primary carload commodities remain wheat, soybeans, corn, aggregates and miscellaneous industrial products."