On this date in 1979, North Dakota's ongoing 23-month boxcar shortage continued to hinder grain shipments, prompting limited rail relief efforts and increased reliance on trucks.

Here's the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The severe boxcar shortage affecting North Dakota and other upper midwest states is now going into its 23rd month, Public Service Commissioner Bruce Hagen said Tuesday.

Hagen said he's been back and forth with the Interstate Commerce Commission almost daily in an effort to help procure more boxcars for North Dakota. It is helping to a limited degree, he said. However, the railroads are shipping fertilizer to meet the spring demand and soft road beds in some areas are further hindering the use of rail lines.

The PSC office is

See Full Page