UP's 'GroTrain' now serving South Dakota regional

Starting this month, the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCPE) will deliver directly to South Dakota farmers via an interchange with Union Pacific Railroad's GroTrain service.

Instead of transferring shipments to a third railroad, the RCPE now can interchange trains with the UP at its rail yard in Mankato, Minn. That new access helps save time and extra coordination for South Dakota farmers transporting inbound fertilizer and outbound crops, UP and RCPE officials said in a press release.

"We are committed to working with our Class I railroad partners to provide competitive transportation solutions," said RCPE President Brad Ovitt. "The interchange at Mankato provides another effective gateway for South Dakota shippers to take advantage of business opportunities across Union Pacific's network."

UP's GroTrain fertilizer network links dry fertilizer shippers and receivers across the nation.

"Moving products to market quickly is critical to fertilizer and crop producers," said Kari Kirchhoefer, UP vice president – chemicals. "GroTrain is a cost-effective solution that streamlines rail service, expedites transit times and provides increased efficiencies they need."

RCPE was founded by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. in 2014.