State Rail Network

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Class I Railroads

BNSF Railway 895
Canadian Pacific Kansas City 112
Total 1,007

Short Line Railroads

D&I Railroad 92
Dakota Southern Railway 21
Dakota, Missouri Valley, & Western Railroad 56
Ellis & Eastern Railroad 30
Rapid City Pierre & Eastern Railroad 810
Total 1,184
2022 Source: Association of American Railroads (AAR). Data represents most recent available annual reporting. AAR Logo

Moving South Dakota's Economy. Connecting Communities.

For South Dakota grain, ethanol and other agricultural producers, freight rail provides the primary means of reaching export markets around the nation and across the globe.

Originating

Top Commodities Originating
Grain 7.7M Tons | 71K Cars
Chemicals 4.2M Tons | 44K Cars
Food Products 3.7M Tons | 35.7K Cars
Stone, Clay & Glass Products 0.8M Tons | 7.7K Cars
Nonmetallic Minerals 0.2M Tons | 2.4K Cars
Other 1.1M Tons | 18K Cars
178.8K Total Cars
17.7M Total Tons

Received

Top Commodities Received / Terminated
Chemicals 1.3M Tons | 12.9K Cars
Coal 1M Tons | 8.6K Cars
Cement 0.5M Tons | 4.6K Cars
Grain 0.2M Tons | 2K Cars
Crushed Stone & Sand 0.2M Tons | 1.8K Cars
Other 0.6M Tons | 7.7K Cars
37.6K Total Cars
3.8M Total Tons
SOUTH DAKOTA'S

State Grants

South Dakota Railroad Board Loan Program

Rail

Join the movement in support of freight rail in your state and across North America.

Why Freight Rail Matters

Supports Manufacturing Icon

Supports Manufacturing

Rail connects manufacturers with suppliers and customers across North America, efficiently moving raw materials and finished goods.

Strengthens Agriculture Icon

Strengthens Agriculture

Rail helps move crops, forest products, fertilizers and other agricultural goods efficiently and affordably.

Reduces Congestion Icon

Reduces Congestion

Moving freight by rail removes trucks from highways, helping reduce traffic and wear on road infrastructure.

Protects the Environment Icon

Protects the Environment

Freight rail is significantly more fuel efficient than moving freight by truck, helping reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Rail at Work

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Safety

FRA Data Shows Major Rail Safety Gains in 2025

Washington, D.C. – New data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) shows 2025 was a historic year for freight rail safety. Accident and injury rates…

Policy Issues

Rail Policy Landscape in the 117th Congress

Washington, D.C. — As the 117th Congress dives into its work—and committee assignments and leadership roles have been finalized—we now know more about the key…

Economic Impact

Three Reasons to Love America’s Freight Trains

Washington, D.C. — The allure of railroading in America is undeniable. It’s an intrinsic part of our nation’s history and identity—steel wheels on steel rail…

Featured Rail Supply Companies

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44 percent
decrease
in rail rates on average from 1981 to today.

That means the average rail customer today can ship significantly more freight for about the same price they paid 40 years ago. 

State Director

South Dakota
Brett Sebastian

Brett Sebastian

National Field Director

Brett Sebastian joined GoRail in August 2019 and oversees its operations in the Central United States and Pennsylvania.

Get to know Brett