By Sara StrongLocal railroad operator, Brent Polanchek, is still working to increase traffic on the line and break even with expenses. Polanchek has lead Minnesota Southern Railway for three years, investing all revenue and $200,000 of his own money in upgrades."We didn’t come here with the intent of getting rich. … We came here to keep it open," Polanchek said.Polanchek and his wife, Kathy, live full-time in Luverne now. They are originally from Montana.The rail industry changed in recent decades, with the trucking option often cheaper to haul grain.Polanchek said Tuesday there is hope for it, though. He’s gotten business from Minnesota Special Liquids, Luverne, which produces Alcomp animal feed.Along with that work, the railway has developed good working relationships with Burlington Northern and Union Pacific lines, which helps in future east and west hauling.Polanchek hopes that Minnesota Special Liquids is able to start transporting to Mexico, which would go all by train and tremendously help the local railroad.Also, Polanchek is working with some gravel businesses that may use trains for their transports.All of the options would come together even more smoothly, he said, with county and city of Luverne help to develop businesses in the Job Opportunity Building Zone in Luverne’s industrial park. "The more cars I move, the more money you guys get, really," Polanchek said to the Rock County Board of Commissioners.Polanchek operates under a 20-year lease, and, at the time of that lease, was the fourth operator in 10 years to lease from the Buffalo Ridge Rail Authority.Polanchek works with long-time railroad employee, Herb Tollefson.
