PIERRE - Canadian Pacific Railway officials are meeting with South Dakota community leaders in towns where long strings of coal trains may someday move eastward.

Canadian Pacific is buying the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad, which wants to expand its tracks to Wyoming coal fields.

Officials in Pierre and Fort Pierre met with Canadian Pacific officials Tuesday.

Pierre Mayor Dennis Eisnach says the railroad has confirmed that it will honor DM&E agreements with cities.

In Pierre, that means gated street crossings and financial help with an overpass. The feasibility of a bypass is also on the table but considered unlikely.