Trenton Railport Progressing

A large multi-user rail terminal in Trenton, ND, which began construction early 2011, is noticeably progressing. The Bakken Petroleum Hub can easily be seen at Marley Crossing near Trenton on Highway 1804.

The terminal, to be known as Trenton Railport, being served by the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway, was designed to bring large-scale rail service to the Bakken Formation with oilfield-related materials such as tubular, frac sand and other strategic materials. This includes the capability to load and ship unit trains of crude oil.

Railways are looking to be a great way for transporting crude oil and other oil related products such as fracturing sand. New rail projects can be seen developing all over the region to serve the increased oil production industry.

The 270-acre site on which the Trenton Railport is being built was secured by Savage Companies in cooperation with Yellowstone Ethanol, LLC. The facilities include rail infrastructure, open space for oil field materials storage, and receiving capability for frac sand and other materials.

Local officials have greatly supported the project, which has employed more than 150 people in various capacities during construction of the terminal and has used local contractors wherever possible. Once operational, Trenton Railport employment on a steady basis is expected to be between 40 and 60 people.

The Bakken Petroleum Hub will be managed by Savage’s Railway & Industry Solutions Group, which oversees more than 50 specialty rail services and transloading terminals throughout the U.S.

Savage provides services to electric power generation, coal mining, oil refining, chemical and Class I railroad customers. It owns and/or operates large terminals for coal, petroleum coke, sulphur, chemicals and other commodities; system-based transportation such as truck, rail, barge and vessel. Savage moves over 50 million tons annually of coal, coke, waste coal, waste ash and sulphur; and also provides on-site operations and management services for large power plants and oil refiners.

The Trenton Railport is slated to be operational by the second quarter of this year.