BNSF
“As harvest ramps up in the Great Plains, South Dakota soybean growers have a new state-of-the-art processing facility at their disposal, right next to BNSF main line tracks ready to transport their products,” the Class I railroad reported via social media on Oct. 2. The facility, it said, can crush soybeans, sunflowers and other crops containing large amounts of oil.
High Plains Processing LLC, which is managed by the South Dakota Soybean Processors, near Mitchell is designed to crush up to 35 million bushels of soybeans annually, with plans to process sunflower, canola, and camelina by 2026, according to BNSF. The plant will be fully operational this month.
Among those attending the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for the plant: Justin Inman, Ag Marketing Manager, BNSF; Matt Morales, Director, Marketing, BNSF; Matt Jensen, Manager, Ag Operations Support, BNSF; Tom Kersting, CEO, South Dakota Soybean Processors; John Prohaska, Group Operations Manager, South Dakota Soybean Processors; Pat Gathman, Plant Manager, South Dakota Soybean Processors; Matt White, Assistant Vice President, Ag Marketing, BNSF; and Jesus Uribes, Ag Marketing Manager, BNSF.
Further Reading:
BNSF on Oct. 2 announced via social media that its team at the Havelock Wheel Plant in Nebraska has achieved more than 1,000 days without an injury.
“All of our team members here recognize the importance of working safely,” said Billy Anderson, BNSF Mechanical Safety Assistant. “It’s like a family environment. We all look out for each other, and no one hesitates to speak up if they see someone potentially compromising their own safety or someone else’s.”
“Congratulations, Havelock team!” BNSF posted. “Keep up the strong focus on safety and continue building on that injury-free streak.”
For more on the plant, read this BNSF Rail Talk article.
In other BNSF news, the railroad recently encouraged stakeholders to share their views with the Surface Transportation Board regarding the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, and congratulated Tristar Transload, Inc., on the official opening of its Muscat Spur Terminal.
UP
UP’s Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, returned to the rails this summer for a limited excursion tour in Colorado and Wyoming.
It was first accompanied by UP’s No. 1616 Lincoln Locomotive, the Class I’s newest heritage unit, honoring Abraham Lincoln’s role in “uniting the nation through rail and laying the foundation for America’s freight rail network.”
The trip started July 17 in Cheyenne, Wyo., and both units made their way to Greeley, Colo., arriving July 19.
To wrap up the trip, the Big Boy rolling through Colorado’s Greeley on Sept. 30 and Eaton on Oct. 1. The crew then returned to Cheyenne, Wyo., UP said, “to gear up for a much larger tour next year as part of the America 250 celebration. Stay tuned for details!”
Learn more about the dedicated team who keeps Big Boy in pristine condition and operates the locomotive across the UP network. To stay informed about Big Boy’s schedule and future steam excursions, join the Union Pacific Steam Club at up.com/SteamClub.
BACKGROUND
ALCO manufactured 25 Big Boys for UP, 20 in 1941 and five in 1944, to haul heavy freight during World War II. They saw service until their fires were dropped for the last time in 1961. Eight survived; UP re-acquired No. 4014 in 2013 from the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, Calif., and meticulously restored her to operating condition. No. 4014 returned to service in 2019 and is the only functioning Big Boy.
Railway Age reported on the 1941 debut with an extensive technical article (download below).
2025 marks Lincoln’s 216th birthday, and UP’s newest heritage unit, No. 1616, is participating in community events and educational programs that highlight the historic role of railroads in America’s growth and their continued contribution to the country, communities and economy.
No. 1616 is the second presidential locomotive in UP’s Heritage Fleet, joining No. 4141, which was created in 2005 to honor President George H.W. Bush and was only the sixth locomotive at the time to be painted in colors other than the traditional UP “Armour Yellow.” On Dec. 6, 2018, UP participated in President Bush’s funeral train, led by No. 4141, from Spring to College Station, Tex., where the locomotive is on permanent display at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum’s Marine One/4141 Locomotive Pavilion.
Further Reading:
- UP Celebrates 163rd Birthday in Springfield
- UP 1616 to Honor President Lincoln
- Once in a Lifetime: UP Honors Four Employees With Big Boy Ride-Along
- Big Boy Upgraded With Self-Contained PTC
- Big Boy Fits in ‘Jay Leno’s Garage’!
- Note to Lego: Issue This Kit!
- How UP Added PTC to the ‘Big Boy’
- Railway Age, October 4, 1941: UP’s “Big Boy” debuts
- Big Boy 4014 is back: UP restores, runs iconic train
- UP: A return to steam for Big Boy 4014
- UP Trimming Heritage Fleet
- UP CEO Honors Lincoln’s Vision
