With the advent of trains also came the problems that go with the noisy, rumbling iron horse, or so they were called in the 1800s.

Though they no longer spew smoke that blackens the sky, they are noisy and new problems exist with this historical mode of transportation -- highways.

These are problems that Kevin Schieffel, owner of the DM&E railroad, will have to address as he negotiates with cities along the line.

The DM&E will run from the coal fields in Wyoming to domestic coal markets in the East.

On Tuesday, Sen. Mark Dayton talked to Mayor Bonnie Rietz and other city officials along with Hormel officials about the impact the DM&E will have on Austin.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved DM&E's purchase of the rail lines and its $1.4 billion proposal to upgrade and cooperate with cities along the line.

Not all of the 23 cities in Minnesota are happy with the DM&E's proposed 34 trains per day, each a mile long. The rail now supports 3-4 trains per day. Both the city of Rochester and the Mayo Clinic have filed suit to remand the STB's decision.

"The cities are deciding what is necessary to maintain their quality of life," Dayton said.

Austin, however, wants to negotiate and cooperate.

Mayor Bonnie Rietz said that several months ago city engineer Jon Erichson tried to get the Minnesota Department of Transportation to do an impact study on the rail coming through Austin. He has made a request again with the DM&E's purchase of the I&M rail line.

"We want to work with the DM&E," Rietz said. "We want the least negative impact on citizens in addition to studying 'whistle free' stops, under and overpasses."

She said the city is making a list of issues in an attempt to work through any problems that will come with the DM&E.

Call Ailene Dawson at 434-2235 or e-mail her at ailene.dawson@austindailyherald.com.