Northern Plains Rail Services

05/29/2026

At Northern Plains Rail Services, our core commitment to safety is matched by our appreciation for the team that upholds it.

We recently hosted a Safety Cookout—a well-deserved opportunity to step back, fire up the grill, and recognize our hardworking crews. While safety remains our top priority, it was a privilege to share some good food with a great team.

We are deeply thankful for a team that works diligently and consistently looks out for one another. Stay safe, team. 🚂

05/26/2026

Registration is now open for the Jesse J. Chalich Memorial Golf Tournament. We encourage our partners and network to get involved—whether by registering a 4-person team, exploring sponsorships, or volunteering.

See the post below for all team, sponsor, and volunteer sign-up details!

We are live!

Registration is officially open for the Jesse J. Chalich Memorial Golf Tournament. Get your 4-person scramble team together and secure your spot for July 31st at Hillcrest Golf Course in Park River.

Whether you are hitting the links, looking to become a sponsor, or signing up to volunteer, head to the link below to get involved.

Pro tip: Be sure to download the GolfStatus app prior to the tournament for live day-of scoring!

See you on the course! 👇
https://events.golfstatus.com/event/JJC

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, the team at Northern Plains Rail Services joins the nation in pausing to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. We are deeply thankful for their service, and today and always, we honor their memory with profound respect for the enduring legacy of freedom they leave behind.

Wishing you all a safe and meaningful day of remembrance.

05/22/2026

We are proud to support the upcoming Jesse J. Chalich Memorial Golf Tournament! ⛳️

Registration officially opens next Tuesday, May 26th. With the 4-person scramble capped at just 72 players, team spots and event sponsorships are going to fill up fast. Whether you want to hit the links, sponsor, or volunteer on the course, we'd love to see our community come together for a great cause on July 31st.

👉 Make sure to head over and follow the Jesse J. Chalich Memorial Golf Tournament page to catch the registration link the moment it drops and to stay in the loop on all updates! Check out the full details in their post below. 👇

MARK YOUR CALENDARS.

Registration for the Jesse J. Chalich Memorial Golf Tournament officially opens on Tuesday, May 26th.

Gather your crew and be ready—spots for the 4-person scramble and event sponsorships are limited.

Event Details:
- Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
- Location: Hillcrest Golf Course, Park River, ND
- Age Requirement: Must be 21+

Not swinging a club this year? No problem. There are plenty of ways to support the Jesse J. Chalich Memorial Foundation, including a variety of volunteer opportunities on the course.

Make sure you are following this page and keep an eye out for the official registration link dropping next Tuesday!

05/21/2026

A huge congratulations to the Grand Forks Children's Museum on an incredible, groundbreaking ceremony yesterday!

We were honored to celebrate this milestone alongside everyone who helped bring this vision to life. The absolute highlight of the day was seeing the kids grab their custom hard hats and mini shovels to get in on the action.

Earlier this year, NPRS pledged $250,000 to help build the rail discovery experience inside the new Land Exhibit. We believe every great children's museum needs a train, and there’s no better way to inspire the next generation of thinkers, builders, and railroaders.

This museum is going to be a vibrant space for our community’s youth, and we can't wait to watch it come to life! 🚂

Pictured: Jon Rentz, Erek Nass, Nels Christianson, Erin Dickson, Julie Chalich, Katie Mayer, Alexandra Quanrud, Ben Quanrud

05/20/2026

We are excited to announce that the cosmetic restoration of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range (DM&IR) C-205 is complete!

This project was a true collaborative effort to preserve a rare piece of railroad history. While the interior restoration was handled at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum shop in Duluth, the car moved to our Fordville shop for the final exterior phase. Our crews performed the necessary bodywork before completing the full cosmetic paint restoration.

The History of C-205:
The C-205 is a unique "problem-solver" of the taconite era. Originally built in 1952 with a standard cupola, it underwent a major transformation in 1975. When EVTAC constructed a new raw taconite load-out at their mine in Eveleth, Minnesota, the overhead clearance was too low for a traditional caboose. To keep the ore moving, the C-205 was modified, losing its cupola and gaining the distinctive side bay windows seen today.

Now that the exterior work is finished, the C-205 is ready to return to service at the museum. This caboose stands as a beautifully restored reminder of the ingenuity required to keep the railroads—and our nation—moving.

When you’re in Duluth, be sure to visit the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and the North Shore Scenic Railroad to see this partnership project in person!

05/19/2026

Northern Plains Rail Services is looking for a strategic financial leader ready to help drive growth, innovation, and long-term success.

If you’re an experienced finance professional who thrives on strategy, forecasting, leadership, and operational impact, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of a growing organization.

📍 Director of Finance
📍 Full-Time | Monday–Friday
📍 Join a team built on accountability, collaboration, and forward-thinking leadership.

Apply today and lead beyond the numbers.

05/18/2026

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Ellie Benson to Associate HR Business Partner.

Since joining NPRS in June 2024, Ellie has quickly developed a strong understanding of our business and HR operations. In her expanded role, she will continue to lead recruitment efforts, support onboarding, and partner with managers across departments. She will also continue to build her knowledge across all areas of HR while supporting key HR projects.

Ellie’s cross-functional experience and hands-on approach help ensure smooth day-to-day HR operations, which remain focused on delivering a positive employee experience—especially for our new hires.

Please join us in congratulating Ellie on this well-deserved promotion and wishing her continued success in this new chapter!

05/15/2026

Precision. Power. Efficiency.

Rail remains the primary engine of the American supply chain. This National Transportation Week, we celebrate the grit of the workers and the strength of the infrastructure that connects our markets to the world. Northern Plains Rail Services is proud to deliver that reliability every mile.

05/13/2026

Engineered Subgrade Solutions: Drayton, ND

We tackled a section of track at the American Crystal Sugar Plant known for soft subgrade issues. To ensure a long-term fix, the team pulled the track and excavated the unstable soil for off-site disposal.

The remediation process included:
- Stabilization: Laying geofabric to reinforce the excavated surface.
- Foundation: Placing and compacting Class 5 gravel for a high-density base.
- Restoration: Reinstalling the track followed by fresh ballast, tamping, and regulating.

Another project built on a solid foundation.