Western Railroad Discussion > 2025 Harvest Grain Still Moving

This morning, August 4, 2026, found two BNSF empty grain trains departing the Mandan Terminal. One was headed east on the Jamestown Sub destined for one of four terminals on the sub with unit train capacity. The other departed up the Zap Line Sub (railroad west) heading to ADM's terminal at Hensler. It's likely both trains will be loaded with soybeans. In addition to the periodic grain shuttles, the Zap Line Sub provides about 300 carloads per week.

Bismarck Bill 

1. Eastbound empty grainer starting to cross the Missouri River bridge (leader unknown) 
2. BNSF 7114 passes Marathon's Mandan Refinery 
3. 7114 crossing at 38th St
more....

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4. BNSF 5831 is the DP and will become the leader returning to Mandan in a 1+ 2 power configuration 
5. Google Earth image of ADM Hensler-BNSF power will remain on the train operated by a terminal engineer for loading up to 116 hoppers 
 

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