Celebrating Jesse J. Chalich’s Love of Sports Through Community Giving
Jesse J. Chalich loved sports – whether it be those he or members of his family participated in, those played in the local communities that he called home, or cheering on his favorite professional teams. Jesse had a keen and analytical
Honoring a Remarkable Spirit: Jesse J. Chalich Memorial Golf Tribute
In honoring the legacy of Northern Plains’ Jesse J. Chalich – and his love for sports that you’ve read about in this edition of the Railroader magazine – we are also pleased to announce that the annual employee golf tournament
Jesse Chalich: Celebrating a Profound Spirit of Grit and Heart
Jesse Chalich, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Northern Plains Railroad and our Northern Plains Rail Services companies, passed away unexpectedly on March 11, 2026, in Grand Forks, ND. Mr. Chalich – or as we all knew him affectionately,
Champions at Heart: Red Cedar Thunder Brings Home the Gold
The energy was electric in Oshkosh the weekend of April 12–13, as the Menomonie Red Cedar Thunder basketball team soared to victory at the Special Olympics State Tournament—claiming their first state championship title in a decade. For players, coaches, and fans
Summer 2025 Rail Upgrades: NPR’s Commitment to Safety and Performance
Those of our readers who live and work in our northern climates know very well that winter conditions turn to summer very quickly as late April dawns. It’s at that point that the work of the unsung heroes of the
How NPRS Supports Railroad History at Lake Superior Railroad Museum
By Lake Superior Railroad Museum Executive Director Ken Buehler Northern Plains Railroad has been one of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s longest and most consistent supporters. Our association with NPR’s Chairman Gregg Haug and President Jesse Chalich has benefited the preservation
NPR Capacity: Driving Rail Traffic Growth to Vancouver and Beyond
By William J. ("Bill") Salmond Twenty years ago, when employed in the Network Capacity group at CP, we were provided with an unusually large budget and told to address infrastructure issues in western Canada that, when fixed, would improve the capacity
Mileposts: CPKC’s New Laredo Bridge Doubling Rail Freight Capacity
By Shawn I. Smith In February 2025, CPKC officially announced the opening of a second span of their Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge, which crosses the Rio Grande between the U.S. and Mexico at Laredo, TX. This work is
Employee Spotlight: Get to know Karl Carson, General Manager of Operations
Leading Operations with Vision, Dedication, and Team Excellence. What is your job title? My title is General Manager of Operations. What does your job entail? I oversee all aspects of Complete Track Works and Highland Excavating. When did you start with the company? I started here
How Northern Plains Rail Services Powers Agricultural Growth with Track Work, Locomotives, and Safety Training
Northern Plains Provides Track Work, Locomotives, and Safety Training to New Agricultural Industries Located in Hager City, WI, ALCIVIA, a member-owned agricultural and energy cooperative recently opened a new shuttle-loading grain elevator facility in Wisconsin, served by the BNSF Railway.Northern Plains Rail Services was