A short-line railroad (the Nebkota Railway) did operate on the westernmost of the Cowboy Trail (from Chadron to Merriman) until 2007. The Cowboy Trail in that section was to be built on an easement parallel to the railroad. In view of the abandonment of the final section, details of where the last section of the Cowboy Trail will be built are still being worked out. The Nebraska Northwestern Railroad still operates trackage between Chadron, Nebraska, including the former CN&W roundhouse and yard, and the junction with the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad line at Dakota Junction, just northeast of Crawford, Nebraska.