PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – Rail service along the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern line across west central South Dakota is stalled as railroad officials consider repairs to a major washout under the R-C-P and E line east of Midland in Haakon County. Vice President of Corporate Communications Michael Williams says the washout happened last Wednesday, May 22 around 1 pm Mountain time. Time is the biggest factor in getting the line back in operation.

Williams says they are waiting for water levels on the Bad River to drop so that repairs can begin. The railroad hoping to have freight rail service to Rapid City and the Black Hills region by next Monday June 3, weather permitting. The National Weather Service office in Rapid City says two inches of rain was recorded at the Philip airport between May 20th and 21, two days before the washout.

Williams says the Midland area washout is the only significant flood related damage seen on the R-C-P and E system that stretches from Tracy, Minnesota to the Black Hills, then off into Wyoming and northwestern Nebraska.