Strong winds gum up BNSF’s Southern Transcon

FORT WORTH, Texas — Persistent, strong winds have caused congestion on BNSF Railway’s Southern Transcon, the railroad said in a customer service advisory on Thursday, March 20. “The BNSF network is currently experiencing challenges, particularly on the Southern Transcon, due to excessive and extended winds exceeding 75 mph that have impacted service consistency, alongside unexpected […]

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BNSF train derails in Iowa (updated)

TEMPLETON, Iowa — Cleanup continues after a BNSF train derailed Thursday, March 6, in west-central Iowa, WOI and KCWI-TV report. The derailment occurred about 3:24 p.m. near Templeton. Video on the stations’ website shows heavy equipment working in deep snow around three locomotives; no information was available on the number of railcars involved, but BNSF […]

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BNSF train derails in Montana (updated)

MILES CITY, Mont. — Approximately 25 to 27 cars of a BNSF train derailed Monday night (Feb. 24, 2025) west of Miles City, Custer County Fire Chief Cory Cheguis said in a press release. The derailment occurred about 11 p.m. No injuries were reported; county emergency officials and BNSF were working to address the situation, […]

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BNSF profits and revenue lag railway’s overall traffic growth (updated)

OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway’s pre-tax profits increased slightly in 2024 as traffic-mix changes — more intermodal, less coal — and lower fuel-surcharge revenue offset an overall 6.5% increase in freight volume. For the year, BNSF’s pre-tax earnings increased 0.5%, to $6.64 billion, while revenue declined 0.5%, to $23.35 billion, the railway’s corporate parent, Berkshire […]

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BNSF train derails in northeastern Montana (updated)

POPLAR, Mont. — Approximately a dozen cars of a BNSF freight train derailed today (Feb. 16, 2025) near the town of Poplar, KRTV-TV reports. No injuries were reported. The incident occurred about 7 a.m. near U.S. Route 2; video on the KRTV website showed several grain hoppers that have spilled their load. According to the […]

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BNSF plan to address Montana grizzly bear deaths is approved

HELENA, Mont. — BNSF Railway has completed a plan to address grizzly bear deaths along its rail line near Glacier National Park in Montana that includes $2.9 million in mitigation efforts. Approval of the long-awaited document by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has led to the railroad receiving an “incidental take” permit that addresses […]

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Arctic blast hinders operations on BNSF’s Northern Transcon

FORT WORTH, Texas — Extreme cold has hobbled BNSF Railway’s operations on its Northern Transcon in North Dakota and Montana. “The extreme cold affecting the Northern Transcon route through Montana and North Dakota, with temperatures plunging over 20 degrees below zero in some areas overnight, has hindered normal train operations,” BNSF said in a customer […]

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BNSF announces $3.8 billion capital plan for 2025

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway plans to spend $3.8 billion on capital projects in 2025, with the vast majority for network maintenance, the company announced today (Jan. 23, 2025). “Our 2025 capital plan reflects BNSF’s ongoing commitment to investing in our network to support our customers’ growth and operating a safe, efficient and reliable […]

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BNSF CEO’s talk illustrates value of data in improving service

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The power of data, or more accurately, of well-used data, may not have explicitly been the topic of BNSF Railway CEO Katie Farmer’s presentation at the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers’ Winter Meeting. But it was a recurring theme with several subjects she touched on as part of her morning keynote address […]

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BLM approves sale of federal land for BNSF Barstow project

BARSTOW, Calif. — The federal Bureau of Land Management has approved sale of almost 30 acres of public land to BNSF Railway for its planned Barstow International Gateway intermodal and logistics facility. The Victorville Daily Press reports the land, valued at $98,000, was ruled to be suitable for private sale. The propery is isolated, surrounded […]

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