The passengers on Amtrak's eastbound Empire Builder, train 8, are treated to a lovely view of the Mississippi River as the train makes its way toward LaCrosse. Train is on the main at Homer; the area of sand (and a big puddle) behind the train is the US Army Corps of Engineers's Homer dredged material storage area. Sand dredged from the river is used on construction projects, and is spread on area roadways in winter.
