A Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western coal train climbs up the horseshoe curve through Lost Lake National Wildlife Refuge just south (east) of Merida, North Dakota, on August 28, 2018. DMVW SD50F Nos. 5454 and 5418 power the train of DMVX hoppers specially-equipped with covers that protect the very fine and dry lignite coal from exposure to wind and moisture. This coal train operates about once a week from a coal mine reached off of the spur at Coal Creek Junction to a power plant at Spiritwood, N.D. After heading south 58 miles on the DMVW’s Missouri Valley Sub, the train operates with DMVW power and BNSF crews on the BNSF Jamestown Sub from Bismarck to Spiritwood, a distance of 112 miles.
