Who do I contact in regards to obtaining used railroad ties?
For used railroad ties, please contact Dan Westby 612-655-3364 or Mike Trettin 320-510-4477.
Do you have information on utility applications, such as roadblocks, overhead cable, & underground cable?
Yes, our application for utility crossings is now available online at https://tcwr.railpermitting.com/. If you have questions regarding applying, please contact 320-864-7208.
What is Transloading?
Transloading is the process of transferring a shipment from one mode of transportation to another, for instance from truck to rail or rail to truck. TC&W’s transloading and transportation capabilities allow our customers to more efficiently and economically move their freight via rail for the most economical portion of the trip. Learn more about transloading by clicking on our transloading link under our customers tab above.
How much does it cost to ship via rail?
The cost of shipping freight via rail depends on the origin and railroad that serves that location, the commodity you are shipping, and the destination and railroad that serves that location. We would love to learn more about what and where you are shipping to so we can provide you with a rail rate.
Why should I use TC&W, MPL and SMRR?
We can get you where you need to go. We are the largest short line railroad in Minnesota with operations over 360 miles of tracks and connections with all Class 1 railroads serving the Minneapolis/St. Paul terminal area, but we still have the local, hometown service.
What is a rail siding?
Rail siding is a term used to describe a section of railroad track off the main line where railcars can be loaded, picked up or dropped off. We also have transloading sites available, so if you don’t have a rail siding, a shipment can be transported to and from a railroad served site on a truck.
How do America’s Short Line and Regional Railroads contribute to the overall U.S. rail system?
There are approximately 550 short line railroads in North America that transport 11 million carloads each year. Short line railroads own, maintain, and operate 29% of rail miles in the U.S.
I want to take photos on the railroad tracks. Is this OK?
No, it is not safe to be on or near the tracks! The railroad tracks are private property so using the tracks as a site for photography or other reasons is trespassing. We take this very seriously because it is the safety of our community and our employees that is at stake. Please stay off the tracks and learn more about railroad safety on the Operation Lifesaver website.
What other railroads does TC&W connect with?
Canadian Pacific Railway, Union Pacific Railroad Company, BNSF Railway, and CN Railway are our Class 1 railroad connections. We also connect with Minnesota Commercial Railway.
What communities do TC&W, MPL and SMRR serve?
TC&W serves Western and Central Minnesota, including Ortonville, Appleton, Milan, North Watson, Montevideo, Wegdahl, Granite Falls, Minnesota Falls, Sacred Heart, Renville, Ruebel, Danube, Olivia, Bird Island, Hector, Buffalo Lake, Stewart, Browntown, Glencoe, Plato, Norwood, Bongards, Cologne, Jonathan, and Chanhassen, with access to a number of industries in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota communities served by MPL include Wood Lake, Echo, Belview, Delhi, North Redwood Falls, Morton, Franklin, Fairfax, Gibbon, Winthrop, Gaylord, Arlington, Green Isle and Hamburg. South Dakota communities SMRR operates through include Milbank, Corona, Wilmot, Peever and Sisseton.
What products do our customers ship?
Our customers ship organic grains, corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, sugar, sugarbeet pulp pellets, molasses, canned and frozen vegetables, ethanol, DDG’s, crushed rock, coal, metals, plastics, fuel oil, machinery, lumber and other forest products, manufactured goods, fertilizers, salt and much more. Please contact us to learn more about what we can move for you.
How frequently does a train run?
Trains can run daily, at any time of day.
How does the capacity of a train compare to a truck?
One railcar can carry the equivalent of up to 4 or more truckloads, so a 100 car train can carry the same amount of product as 400 or more trucks. And trains are more fuel efficient than trucks, too.
How fuel efficient is a freight train?
Railroads can move one ton of goods over 400 miles on a single gallon of fuel.
What should I do if a train signal is malfunctioning?
Never drive around lowered gates – it’s illegal and dangerous. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.
What should a person do if their vehicle gets stalled on or next to a railroad crossing?
If your vehicle stalls on or next to a railroad crossing, immediately get everyone out and far away from the tracks. Call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.
What should I do if I see a train at the railroad crossing?
Never race a train to a crossing – even if it’s a tie, you lose. At a multiple track crossing while waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching in either direction. Always expect a train! Freight trains do not always follow set schedules.
How long does it take a train to stop?
Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take up to a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That’s 18 football fields! Do not be fooled by the optical illusion – the train you see is closer and faster moving than you think. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
How do I learn more about railroads and train safety?
TC&W offers free railroad safety presentations through Operation Lifesaver. These presentations are suitable for students, bus drivers, community groups, and businesses. Contact us to learn more about the Operation Lifesaver presentations or train and railroad safety in general.
