The Minnesota Prairie Line has been ridden for over 100 years, and many of the rails are just as old.They're celebrating a milestone this week... but as News 12's Erick Lind tells us...they're also using the opportunity to raise awareness about a much-needed upgrade.(Band playing 'I've Been Working On the Railroad')For the past 125 years trains from Twin Cities and Western Railroad have been traveling the Minnesota Prairie Line.Over the next three days they will be transporting more than just freight...(Horn blows)They will be transporting the message of history to students and communities along the 95-mile route for the Whistle Stop Tour.Rob Edwards says, "At our last stop in Green Isle we had 98 school children, and about another 15 or 20 of the general population. Here in Arlington we expect even greater. I believe the marching band is coming out, the high school's, so it's going to be a great day up and down the line."Not only were the students able to hear about the history of the rail line, but everyone that was in attendance got to hear the importance of the upgrades they have planned.Twin Cities & Western CEO Bruce Pinske says, "We hope to accomplish raising money to rehabilitate the line to the heavier rail and the higher speed to make it more feasible to operate the rail."Pinske says that the rail line is in need of a major face-lift to maximize the potential of the five counties it serves.He says when the repairs are completed it could mean great things.Pinske says, ""The economic viability of this rail is important to the whole region. Not only our area, but farmers, businesses, cities, counties, all towns along the line."The first ten miles of the track have already been revamped.Everyone on the tour hopes additional funding will come to fix the rest.Whether it be through public or private money.At a half million dollars a mile it may take awhile for that to happen.If it does, the railway will continue to write history instead of risking becoming history.In Sibley County, Erick Lind,(Kids yell, "All Aboard!") News 12.