October 2017

INSIDE TRACK	\|	The latest BNSF Railway information and resources for communities of the Pacific Northwest.
OCTOBER 2017

BNSF makes progress on $2.4 billion maintenance program

BNSF is making progress on its $2.4 billion capital maintenance for 2017, maintaining our rail network and making enhancements to boost its capacity.

Check out the video by clicking HERE or the picture above.

Washington state representative Dick Muri talks rail safety

State Representative Dick Muri authored an opinion piece in the Tacoma News Tribune this month about rail safety. Muri states that a combination of deregulation in the 1980s (which saved the rail industry) mixed with smart safety regulations are helping companies invest in safety infrastructure.

Read State Representative Dick Muri’s opinion article HERE.

BNSF hosts an Idaho safety training

BNSF and its contractors hosted north Idaho first responders in September to conduct drills on local waterways, demonstrating how to position containment booms and deploy other spill countermeasures.

Attendees practiced setting up boom at Dover Bay, off Lake Pend Oreille, and on the Clark Fork River. Thousands of feet of spill deflection boom was towed in large segments, fitted together and stretched across water in accor dance with pre-training planning for various spill scenarios.

Crews also deployed the NOFI Current Buster 2, a V-shaped array of lengthy inflatable pontoons which can be used to collect spilled material on the surface of the water.

According to Bonner County Emergency Management Director Bob Howard, 4,500 feet of boom is readily available in Bonner County, and training on this equipment is extremely important.

“We’re continuing to train. We’re continuing to build our resources and enhance our capabilities to respond to an event. I want to keep that going,” said Howard.

Idaho wasn’t the only safety training that BNSF Railway conducted this fall. In fact, safety trainings were completed all over the region for our first responders. Above are a few photos from our training along the Columbia River.

Spokane County Sheriff says Proposition 2 isn’t about safety

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich recently wrote an op-ed article for the Spokesman-Review on why he thinks Proposition 2 in Spokane Washington is bad for Spokane and the economy, won’t make the area safer, and is very likely to be unenforceable.

Read Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich’s opinion article HERE.

Rail is critical to manufacturing

According to the Association of American Railroads nearly 3,000 events celebrated Manufacturing Day across the country during the first week of October. Freight rail moves the raw and finished products that directly support the critical manufacturing industry. In fact, rail moved 43.6 million tons of basic steel products in 2015 alone. To learn more, go to AAR.org.

Did you know? Why do trains blow their whistles?

The train whistle, or horn, is an important part of our safety practices. The horn alerts people that a train is approaching a railroad crossing. It can also be used to warn animals or trespassers in our right-of-way along a section of track. Many people don’t realize that federal and state regulations require us to sound the horn whenever we approach any crossing. For a comprehensive look at the federally mandated train horn regulations, click HERE.

New tracks in Washington are improving the experience for rail passengers

A new set of tracks parallel to Interstate 5 through Tacoma, Lakewood, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and DuPont allowing for shorter travel times and greater reliability for Amtrak. Freight trains will continue to use the original route.

Emergencies – Call 800-832-5452

To report a vehicle stalled on a crossing, suspicious circumstances, malfunctioning crossing gates and lights or any other emergency, call 800-832-5452 immediately.

Have a Question for Us?

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