Railroad Executive Charles H. Clay, 83, Dies

Was cofounder of Red River Valley & Western and Twin Cities & Western
railroads; former executive vice president of Soo Line; senior member of Head,
Siefert and Vander Weide law firm

MINNEAPOLIS, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles H. Clay, 83, a cofounder and
director of the Red River Valley & Western and the Twin Cities & Western
railroads, died peacefully March 1, 2009 at his home in Edina, Minn.

In 1987, Mr. Clay and two other partners helped launch the 514-mile Red River
Valley & Western Railroad, based in Wahpeton, N.D. They subsequently founded
the 229-mile Twin Cities & Western Railroad, which began operations in 1991,
and its 94-mile Minnesota Prairie Line affiliate, which started in 2002. Both
are headquartered in Glencoe, Minn. In addition to being a board member, Mr.
Clay provided legal counsel to the railroads.

Formation of these railroads preserved and revitalized hundreds of miles of
track in Minnesota and North Dakota, which helped area farmers and businesses
market their products more efficiently.

RRV&W and TC&W Chief Executive Officer Andy Thompson said, "These companies
were very fortunate to have Chuck as a founder, director and legal counsel.
His railroad and law experience were an invaluable combination--helping to
guide the lines as they progressed through start-up and growth, eventually
achieving national recognition for their success. He will be missed by all of
us."

A native of Troy, Mont., Mr. Clay earned business and law degrees from the
University of Minnesota and began his law career in 1952 as an attorney with
the Soo Line Railroad, Minneapolis. He was general attorney from 1959 until
1972, when he successively became general freight traffic manager-pricing,
GFTM pricing and market development, and assistant to the president. He was
promoted to vice president executive department in 1977 and was executive vice
president from 1978 until 1984, when he joined the Minneapolis law firm of
Head, Siefert and Vander Weide.

Mr. Clay was active in civic affairs until his death, serving as a member of
the Civic Caucus Core Group; director and past president of the Citizens
League and chair of its Metropolitan Council; and board member of Deaconess
Hospital.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at
Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, West 50th at Highway 100 S., Edina. Funeral
services will be at Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina, on Friday, March 6, at
11:00 a.m., preceded by visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Mr. Clay is survived by his wife, Audrey; children Sheldon, Janis and Steven;
six grandchildren; and sisters, Joyce Dickson and Patricia Kangas.

SOURCE Red River Valley & Western Railroad Co.; Twin Cities & Western
Railroad Co.

Andy Thompson of Red River Valley & Western Railroad Co., +1-701-642-8257