The Red River Valley and Western Railroad is a regional railroad operating in the US states of North Dakota and Minnesota. It began operations in 1987 in an era of railroad restructuring. Its 648 mi of track, originally acquired from the Burlington Northern Railroad, included: Shortly after it began operations, the Red River Valley and Western Railroad acquired a 19 mi rail line between Oakes, North Dakota and Hecla, South Dakota from the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad. It abandoned 18 mi of this rail line, beginning just south of Oakes, North Dakota, on September 7, 2001. Currently, the Red River Valley and Western Railroad owns and operates 490 mi of trackage which includes: The Red River Valley and Western Railroad is affiliated with the Twin Cities and Western Railroad and the Minnesota Prairie Line. Andrew Thompson is the chief executive officer of all three railroads.