PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad has requested a change to a grant application looking for assistance with the construction of a new locomotive repair facility in Huron.  Jerry Vest with the R-C-P and E says they have discussed the grant application with federal railroad officials.

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement or CRISI grant application included the acquisition of eight upgraded locomotives.  The railroad needs a new shop to repair locomotives as the current shop is too small to fit the newer 1990-era prime movers.

Vest says dropping the locomotives from the application should make the chance of getting half of the 23-million dollar shop approved.

The State Railroad Board previously approved 100-thousand dollars in match funding in the grant application.  The Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern is looking to upgrade its fleet to pull heavier trains over the elevation changes of western South Dakota with the use of distributed power: or locomotives in other locations through a train to provide more power.