About a week ago, as I was browsing Google Maps to check the orientation of one of the derails, a pleasant surprise appeared. New aerial views of Le Mars!
Of special note, is the new track at the transload:
They are using that new track to store tank cars of, presumably, tallow or other meat products (“MEATPR” on the switch lists). It can be see at the bottom right getting loaded in or out of a semi truck.
This photo from July 2022 shows a similar situation at the transload, but also two covered gondolas. Those gondolas carry cottonseed used as food for the dairy cattle. Apparently cottonseed increases the butterfat content of the milk – good for better ice cream.
Also of interest are all the boxcars:
Many, many TTX “FBOX” or “TBOX” cars, but a few oddballs scattered in there. These are for the box factory in town (“FIBBRD” or Fiber Board on the switch lists). That should make some interesting rolling stock. More on that later…
Finally, more confirmation that the Wells Blue Bunny sugar facility now receives liquid sugar (likely corn syrup) with a bunch of tank cars on that track, and some flour cars on the BoDeans transload:
