Missouri River flooding brings UP power to SE South Dakota

Flooding on the Missouri River is creating operational challenges for the railroads of the region – including the Union Pacific. To raise their former C&NW transcon line at Missouri Valley, Iowa, by at least three feet, the UP is hauling rock and ballast from the Everist pits at Dell Rapids and Hawarden by the trainload 24/7. Turnaround times and motive power shortages on the D&I line are also dictating the use of UP power on some trains. A set of UP power leads a northbound empty over the Minnehaha Falls in downtown Sioux Falls toward Dell Rapids on June 9.

Thanks to Mike Mancuso of Sioux Falls for this nice view.