Champion Dakota Southern, Chamberlain, SD

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Railfan40

New Member
On my way home from North Dakota I was able to visit the graveyard in Chamberlain, SD. Chamberlain is home to the "Little Railway That Could" Champion Dakota Southern. This trackage was once part of the Milwaukee Road system as a secondary route between Marquette, IA and Rapid City, SD. From 2000-2007 no trains traveled on this portion of the line because of a rate dispute with BNSF. Although, track repairs began after obtaining a haulage agreement to be able to operate to Sioux City, IA to interchange with UP can CP. Currently the Dakota Southern operates as far west as Chamberlain and serves a shuttle grain loading facility in Kimball, SD.
1. DS 75 GE 70 Ton Switcher
2. Trackage heading southwest toward the Missouri River.
3. DS 506 SD9 in centennial paint for the city of Oacoma which is right on the other side of the Missouri River.
4. DS 522 SD7

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1. A beaut Alco Century 420, sadly who knows the last time it moved.
2. GP40 BGCM (Bountiful Grain and Craig Mountain) 9970.
3. OVRR (Ozark Valley Railroad) 1362.
4. UP 6925 used for parts.

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1. OVRR 1362
2. Jordan Spreader sitting in the yard.
3. Old Milwaukee Road switch stand.
4. The bridge over the Missouri River.

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I also caught quite a few BNSF coal trains on the parking lot known as the Sandhills Sub in my hometown of Ansley as well as Ravenna, NE the rest of the weekend.
1. BNSF 9654 leads an eastbound coal drag.
2. BNSF 6360 and 5953 with another eastbound.
3. Close up of 6360.
4. And 5953.

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There is one Dakota Southern SD7 and SD9 that are still in use, but sadly most of the other locomotives that rest in Chamberlain probably have a sad future in store. Here are a few more from the BNSF in Ravenna from Sunday May, 25.

1. BNSF 6240 and 9018 await new crews.
2. BNSF 6293 comes to a stop.
3. 9812 looks pretty bare with no logo on the nose.
4. Side shot of 9812.

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Two more:

1. BNSF 9020 highballs St. Michael just east of Ravenna.
2. Eastbound coal train lead by BNSF 6254 rolls through Ansley, NE.

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