The Otter Tail Valley Railroad is a Class III railroad operating 81 mi of track between Moorhead, Minnesota, and Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and short branch lines from Fergus Falls to French and from Fergus Falls to Hoot Lake.

History

The railroad began operations in 1986 on former Burlington Northern, ex Great Northern Railway track between Moorhead and Avon, Minnesota, interchanging with Burlington Northern. The railroad abandoned the 96 mi of track between Avon and Fergus Falls in February 1991. In 2008, the railroad handled approximately 10,000 carloads, principally outbound grain and inbound coal. Otter Tail Valley Railroad is owned by Genesee & Wyoming, having been acquired in 2012. As of 2023, OTVR can hold up to 286,000 pounds of supplies.