Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad: Route, Roster, Overview

Published: January 20, 2025

Located in the heart of the American Midwest, the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCP&E) operates much of the former Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern's western network, a large regional system acquired by Canadian Pacific in 2008.

The DM&E was created in 1986 and operated more than 1,000 miles of ex-Chicago & North Western trackage in South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, and Nebraska.

At the time the C&NW, a classic Midwestern granger which managed to survive the industry's dark day of the 1970s, was greatly scaling down its overbuilt system. The DM&E picked up trackage that largely handled agriculutral traffic.

Historical Background

The RCP&E emerged from the restructuring and sale of rail lines owned by the larger Canadian Pacific Railway. In 2014, Genesee & Wyoming, the largest short line conglomerate in the U.S. owning more than 100 railroads, acquired approximately 743 miles from CP.

This acquisition was part of a strategic effort to improve operational focus and enhance service levels in regions that significantly rely on rail for freight movement.

Route and Operations

The RCP&E's main line stretches from Tracy, Minnesota, to Rapid City, South Dakota, with extensions heading north towards Colony in Crook County, Wyoming, and south to Crawford in Nebraska. A significant portion of this line from Tracy to Rapid City runs parallel to U.S. Route 14.

The corridor traverses the entire state, beginning at the eastern border with Minnesota and extending to the western border with Wyoming, crossing the Missouri River at Pierre.

The segments along this line are:

- **Huron Subdivision:** Spanning from Tracy, Minnesota, to Huron, South Dakota, covering 136 miles.

- **Pierre Subdivision:** Extending from Huron to Pierre, spanning 118 miles.

- **PRC Subdivision:** Running from Pierre to Rapid City, covering 170 miles.

- **Black Hills Subdivision:** Stretching from Colony, Wyoming, to Crawford/Dakota Junction, Nebraska, covering 174 miles.

Additionally, there are three short branches:

- From Blunt to Onida, both in South Dakota.

- From Huron to Yale in South Dakota, owned by South Dakota and operated by the RCP&E, linking with the BNSF Railway at Yale from Watertown.

- From Redfield to Mansfield in South Dakota, accessible through trackage rights on the BNSF line stretching from Mitchell to Wolsey and Aberdeen.

The network connects with the BNSF Railway at locations in Wolsey, South Dakota; Crawford, Nebraska; and Florence, Minnesota.

There's an interchange with the Canadian Pacific at Tracy, Minnesota. The RCP&E holds trackage rights from Tracy to Mankato, Minnesota, on the CP, where it links up with the Union Pacific.

Furthermore, the RCP&E has trackage rights over the BNSF from Yale to Watertown, and from Wolsey to Aberdeen, both in South Dakota.

The railroad's traffic base is largely agricultural products like corn and soybeans while it also handles minerals such as bentonite and limestone, and ethanol.

Economic Impact

The RCP&E serves as a vital economic artery for the region it traverses. It provides indispensable rail transport services that facilitate the movement of bulk commodities to processing facilities and national distribution networks.

In South Dakota alone, agriculture represents a cornerstone of the state economy, and efficient rail transport provided by RCP&E ensures that grain, livestock feed, and other agricultural inputs reach their markets in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The railroad's influence extends beyond direct freight services. By supporting regional industries, it indirectly sustains numerous jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics.

Furthermore, the operations of RCP&E have prompted local investments in rail-dependent facilities, such as grain elevators and ethanol production plants, which create additional employment opportunities and enhance the economic landscape of the region.

Infrastructure and Upgrades

Following its acquisition, the RCP&E embarked on a series of infrastructure upgrades to improve safety and efficiency. Investments focused on enhancing track quality, upgrading locomotives, and implementing advanced operational technologies. These improvements aimed to increase capacity and ensure reliable service for customers.

Track upgrades, including the replacement of outdated rails and ties, aid in reducing travel times and lowering maintenance costs. Moreover, Genesee & Wyoming's emphasis on technology, such as GPS-based tracking systems and automated reporting tools, streamlines railroad operations, providing real-time data for more effective decision-making.

Safety remains a top priority for RCP&E. The railroad adheres to stringent safety standards and actively participates in various safety initiatives. These efforts reflect a commitment to protecting both personnel and the communities through which the trains travel.

Diesel Roster

First Road Number	Second Road Number	Model Type	Builder	Serial Number	Completion Date	Notes
2085	-	GP38-3	EMD	32685	2/1967	ex-DM&E GP38-3 3830; ex-KCS 781; ex-ICG 3045; built as IC GP40 3045
2086, 2089	-	GP38-3	EMD	34307, 34312	9/1968	ex-DM&E 3831, 3834; ex-KCS 760, 764; ex-Conrail 3130, 3135; built as PC GP40 3130, 3135
2087-2088	-	GP38-3	EMD	32873, 32879	2/1967, 3/1967	ex-DM&E 3832-3833; ex-KCS 789, 795; ex-ICG 3053, 3059; built as IC GP40 3053, 3059
2762	-	SD40M-3	EMD	32431	12/1966	Lettered for Missouri & Northern Arkansas. ex-UP 2762; ex-SP SD40M-3 8686; built as UP SD40 3079
2765	-	SD40M-3	EMD	37909	9/1971	Lettered for Missouri & Northern Arkansas. ex-UP 2765; ex-SP SD40M-3 8702; built as UP SD40 3103
3201	-	SD40M-2	EMD	32630	2/1967	Formerly lettered for Kiamichi Railroad. ex-M&NA 2762; ex-UP 2726; ex-SP SD40M-3 8650; ex-C&NW 923; built as C&NW SD45 907
3412	-	SD40-2	EMD	796305-7	7/1980	Formerly lettered for Alabama & Gulf Coast. Built as MKT 625.
6402	3420	SD40-2	EMD	786263-25	11/1979	Built as UP 3633
6424	3421	SD40-2	EMD	796297-68	2/1980	ex-IC&E 6424; built as UP 3726
6426	3422	SD40-2	EMD	786218-20	8/1979	ex-UP 3593; built as UP 8084
6423	3423	SD40-2	EMD	796311-1	4/1980	ex-UP 3954; built as MP 6054
6422	3424	SD40-2	EMD	796305-4	7/1980	ex-UP 3830; built as MKT 622
6443, 6421	3425, 3429	SD40-2	EMD	796297-47, 796297-64	1/1980, 2/1980	Built as UP 3705, 3722
6412	3426	SD40-2	EMD	786263-32	11/1979	Built as UP 3640
6458	3427	SD40-2 (EMD)	EMD	786181-26	6/1979	ex-UP 3945; built as MP 6045
6436	3428	SD40-2	EMD	7334-48	2/1972	Built as UP 3170
6421	3429	SD40-2	EMD	796297-64	2/1980	Built as UP 3722
6448	3430	SD40-2	EMD	786170-36	2/1979	Built as UP 3534
6420	3431	SD40-2	EMD	796345-25	11/1980	Scrapped; built as UP 3793
6446	3432	SD40-2	EMD	786181-11	6/1979	Built as MP 6030
6440, 6439	3433, 3436	SD40-2	EMD	766056-22, 766056-14	3/1977	Built as UP 3356, 3348
6410 (IC&E)	3434	SD40-2	EMD	786263-15	11/1979	Built as UP 3623
6433	3435	SD40-2	EMD	796297-1	1/1980	Built as UP 3660
6429	3437	SD40-2	EMD	796297-84	2/1980	Built as UP 3742
6432	3438	SD40-2	EMD	786263-45	12/1979	Built as UP 3653
6453	3442	SD40-2	GMDD	A3951	9/1980	Built as British Columbia Railway 757
6457 (IC&E)	3444	SD40-2	EMD	776064-6	8/1978	Built as MKT 605
-	3445	SD40-2	EMD	786193-38	11/1979	ex-NS 3424; built as Conrail 6520
6411	3446	SD40-2	EMD	786170-31	2/1979	Built as UP 3529
6454	3447	SD40-2	EMD	786246-7	9/1979	ex-UP 3912; ex-MP 3228; built as MP 6012
6449 (IC&E)	3452	SD40-2	EMD	786168-5	6/1979	Built as MP 6024
6441	3453	SD40-2	EMD	766005-5	9/1976	Built as UP 8099
6431	3454	SD40-2	EMD	766005-5	9/1976	Built as MP 3225
6407	3455	SD40-2	EMD	796311-17	4/1980	Scrapped; Built as MP 6070
6419	3456	SD40-2	EMD	806049-6	9/1981	Built as MKT 634
6404	3457	SD40-2	EMD	786170-5	1/1979	Built as UP 3503
6408	3458	SD40-2	EMD	786170-53	3/1979	Built as UP 3551
6437	3459	SD40-2	EMD	796297-74	2/1980	Built as UP 3732
6430	3460	SD40-2	EMD	786228-7	9/1979	Built as MKT 617
6428	3461	SD40-2	EMD	796297-2	1/1980	ex-IC&E 6428 ('City of Albert Lea'); built as UP 3660
6452	3462	SD40-2	GMDD	A3950	10/1980	Built as British Columbia Railway 756
6451	3463	SD40-2	GMDD	A3947	9/1980	Built as British Columbia Railway 753
6450	3464	SD40-2 (EMD)	EMD	786246-7	9/1979	ex-British Columbia Railway 740; built as 'Oneida & Western' (OWTX) 9956
6401	3465	SD40-2	EMD	74661-19	2/1975	ex-UP 3074; built as C&NW SD40-2 6909
6459	3466	SD40-2	EMD	786170-63	3/1979	Scrapped; built as UP 3561
6405	3467	SD40-2	EMD	796297-102	3/1979	Built as UP 3760
6442	3468	SD40-2	EMD	786263-36	11/1979	Built as UP SD40 3644
6427 (IC&E)	3469	SD40-2 (EMD)	EMD	796311-15	4/1980	ex-UP 3968; built as MP 6068
6429 (IC&E)	3470 (1st)	SD40-2	EMD	796297-84	2/1980	Built as UP 3742
-	3470 (2nd)	SD40-2	EMD	78626-41	12/79	ex-NS 3537; ex-BNSF 8071; built as NS 8071
6052	3481	SD40-2	EMD	37648	8/1971	Built as UP SD40 3092
6051	3483	SD40-2	EMD	35726	1/1970	ex-3100; built as MP SD40 755
-	3999	SD40M-2	EMD	796297-17	1/1980	ex-I&CE 6434; built as UP 3675
6054	3480	SD40-3	EMD	37906	9/1971	Built as UP SD40 3100
6055	3482	SD40-3	EMD	37648	5/1967	Built as B&O SD40-2 7491

The Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern exemplifies the importance of regional railroads in shaping the economic landscape of America’s heartland.

Through strategic operations, modernization, and community engagement, the RCP&E continues to be a driving force for growth and stability in the regions it serves.

As it moves forward, the railroad is set to remain a vibrant link in the chain of commerce, connecting rural economies to wider markets while promoting sustainability and regional prosperity.