I've been hearing about these trains for a while but they are finally becoming a reality as soon as tomorrow (1/23/07). On Tuesday evening the first unit train of ethanol will be running. One either Thursday or Friday (probably Friday) a unit train of DDGs will be running as well. Pretty sure this train will run in the late morning. Trains are said to continue running once every 2-3 weeks. We'll see how it goes.
More information is posted on my website on the news page:

-Mike B.
P.S. A 121 car coal train from the BNSF is coming on Thursday for the sugar plant in Ruebel.

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Great information.

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Most interesting - do they have to power to handle these on a regular basis? It will take four units I imagine to run those unit trains to BN. Not sure if they have spare power hanging around or not right now. If this keeps up will they be in the market for power again or is there enough between them and RRVW to cover it?

For right now, I'm pretty sure the plan is to have the Glencoe Turn simply run light power out to Colonge to pick up the train and then bring it to Cedar Lake for the BN. Once that's done they'll continue on as normal.
If the DDG train is going to the BN, I bet they'll do the same thing since it's being built in Hopkins. If it's going to St. Paul yard, they might call an extra but they might have to steal an engine from the Ruebel Turn.
So, to answer your question, no they don't have the power. I've heard several times that they are in the market for buying power, but I'll believe it when I see it.

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