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By: Tim Smith / D & I Railroad - Operations Manager

The day-to-day operations of the D & I Railroad involves many moving parts as do all L. G. Everist locations. To meet our customers’ demands, the operation has evolved over the last years. In earlier years, we saw two or three loaded rock trains per week from Dell Rapids, SD to Sioux City, IA (with empty trains returning the next day). The trains would run with approximately 100 railcars, each containing between 80 and 100 tons of rock, utilizing six GP9 locomotives. Gross weight for these trains was around 12,000 tons. Fast forward to 2023 and we are running loaded rock trains (and daily empty trains) five days per week, up to 100 railcars, each containing between 105 and 115 tons of rock with three or four SD40-2 locomotives. Gross weight of the same size train is now around 14,000 tons.

Continual investment in equipment, track structure, and strategic hiring has positioned the railroad well for the long haul. With all the increases, the quality of life for our operating employees has dramatically improved over the years. Basing crews out of both Dell Rapids and Sioux City has allowed for daily train swapping versus spending at least two nights per week away from home.

Constant communication makes all of this happen safely. It takes a small army to coordinate rail shipments. It starts with a trainload of rock being ordered, railcars positioned/loaded/weighed/billed, transportation, unloading/stockpiling the product, and the final loadout to destination. 

Our railroad mechanical forces, led by Bob Hansen, keep our locomotives and railcars in excellent operating condition. Pictured in the following is our mechanical team that keep our locomotives in motion.

Railroad Mechanical Crew - Ben Bunkers, Chris Huber, Aaron Boltjes and Travis Haag (not pictured - Bob Hansen and Sam Vollmer)

Our track maintenance forces (Maintenance of Way), led by Clark Danielson, keep the bridges, rail, ties, and right of way in optimal shape. See our maintenance of way team pictured below.

Maintenance of Way Crew - from left to right: Clark Danielson, Kolton Gradert, Bob Kilber, Eric Heur and Matt Buffington.

The operating crews, led by Deanna Koopman and myself, coordinate the trains to keep them moving safely. In the following pictures, are our north and south traincrews that make this happen.

Dell Rapids Operations Team - Chris Park, Mark Anderson and Josh Peterman (not pictured - Deanna Koopman, Ray Peterson and Chuck Van Engen, Hawarden)

Sioux City Operations Team - Steve Nettleton, Tom Saltzman, Clayton Petersen, Nick Hayes and Chuck Rose

The team efforts of production, sales, quality control, safety, accounting, payroll, information technology, human resources, scale masters, and countless others allow the railroad to function as a ROCK SOLID unit.

A Birthday Blast to Remember

13 year old, Theo Miller, a life long Dells resident, celebrated his birthday this year by pushing the button at a West Quarry production shot. Now that’s an explosive party!

Happy Birthday!

Safe…Reliable…Productive