Tracy, MN marks the western end of Canadian Pacific's ownership of the former Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern line across southern Minnesota and into South Dakota. From Tracy west, the railroad belongs to the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern. The railroads interchange at least one train each way per day at Tracy. At one time, RCPE power would often run through on the CP, sometimes all the way to Chicago. Now, power is swapped on these daily trains. That's what's happening on this July 2018 day. The power on the near track brought the westbound CP train up to the east yard switch. It has been uncoupled from the inbound train and is now backing toward the eastbound train, which is sitting on the siding behind me. Meanwhile, another crew has brought the RCPE power down the main, coupled onto the inbound train, and is now bringing it into town. Once it's fully in the clear, it will be tied down to wait for an RCPE crew to take it farther west and the eastbound train will depart. Then it will be all quiet again in this little town on the Minnesota prairie.
