BNSF James River Bridge (Yankton)

In 1872, the Dakota Southern Railroad (DS) began construction on a new railroad line, 61 miles in length, extending from Sioux City, Iowa to Yankton, South Dakota.  The route would be completed in 1873.  In 1879, the railroad was consolidated with the Sioux City and Pembina Railway to form the Sioux City and Dakota Railroad.  In 1881, the railroad would be merged into the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, known as the Milwaukee Road.  The Milwaukee Road had constructed a significant network of lines throughout the Midwest, and was looking to expand the network.  In 1881, a line was constructed from Aberdeen, South Dakota extending north to Edgeley, North Dakota.  The same year, construction began on an extension to Aberdeen, which would be completed in 1886.  A majority of the extension was completed in 1882 and 1883.  This extension provided a key connection to the existing Milwaukee Road mainline from Aberdeen to Chicago. 

The Milwaukee Road operated this route as a secondary route, connecting cities and other lines in South Dakota. The Milwaukee Road was often in financial trouble, especially after the costly Pacific Extension was completed in 1909. In 1925, the company declared bankruptcy, and reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1928. As the Milwaukee Road continued to face financial turmoil, branch lines began to see deteriorated conditions. In 1980, the Milwaukee Road sought to abandon significant trackage in South Dakota, including the Sioux City to Edgeley segment.  The State of South Dakota purchased the railroad line, and Burlington Northern Railroad (BN) was selected to operate the route.  The Aberdeen to Edgeley segment would be abandoned in 1984.  BN merged with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1996 to form BNSF.  In 2005, the State of South Dakota sold the railroad line to BNSF.  BNSF continues to operate the line as the Aberdeen Subdivision.