Today's Train of Thought- The Mouse That Roared, July 17, 2012

Today's train of thought takes us to the gently rolling hills and valleys of northwestern corner of North Dakota. Although North Dakota is the northernmost of the Great Plains states, the Roughrider State features a number of valleys and lakes that were carved out by retreating glaciers at the end of the last ice age.

One of the rivers that meanders through North Dakota is the Souris- which is French for 'Mouse'. The river begins in Saskatchewan and meanders southeast into North Dakota, making its way east before swinging back up into Canada and feeding into the Assiniboine River in Manitoba.

Here, railpictures.net contributor Fredrick Wolter catches Northern Plains GP7U #2297 leading a westbound train destined for the Canadian Pacific at the interchange in Kenmare, ND in July 2009. In addition to the Souris River appearing prominently in the background, the photographer also points out the Kenmare Country Club and the tail end of a CP Rail train destined for the border crossing at Portal, ND is visible in the background.

The Souris River hasn't always been this tranquil. Last summer, the river overran levees and caused widespread damage to crops and property in North Dakota, forcing BNSF and Canadian Pacific to re-route trains off of their respective main lines through the state as a result of the record flooding.