Watco’s Ringneck & Western Railroad Begins Operations

Watco’s Ringneck & Western Railroad Begins Operations

Watco’s newest short line, the Ringneck & Western Railroad (RWRR), began operations in South Dakota on May 25. The line (named after the state bird, the ring-necked pheasant) stretches west from Mitchell, South Dakota, to just past Presho, South Dakota. The sale of the line was authorized by the South Dakota State Railroad Board and purchased from the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

“The transition was a smooth one,” said Kley Cameron, RWRR General Manager. “It was exciting to see the first train come in at about 7:30 p.m. on May 25, and we got it moved on its way in a short amount of time.”

Cameron is a Louisiana native and was brought up from Watco’s Texas & New Mexico and Pecos Valley Southern railroads to manage the operations and guide the 14 team members serving the Ringneck customers. Their schedule works around the customers’ needs as trains arrive versus a set schedule, creating more efficient and cost-effective shipping for the customers.

“We have an experienced team here at the Ringneck and are ready to serve the customers and grow the business,” Cameron stated. One addition to the line with the new ownership is its maintenance of way (MOW) team. The MOW team ensures the line is kept up by replacing ties, repairing rail, maintaining the right of way, and taking care of other track issues.

The railroad will primarily handle grain as evidenced by that first train, a grain shuttle from Mitchell to Kennebec. Other commodities currently carried on the line include fertilizer and paper products. The line hauls approximately 10,000 to 12,000 carloads annually. Interchanges on the line are made with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) at Mitchell and the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad in Rapid City. As part of the purchase agreement, the RWRR will complete the construction of a siding near Kimball with federal and state funding. The siding will enhance the ability of the team to handle unit grain trains without holding up unit train operations during loading and unloading processes. The project is expected to start within the next 60 days and, depending on government approvals, should be completed by year’s end.