For locomotive engineer Robert Burkhardt, railroading is a family legacy spanning nearly a century. Robert is a third-generation railroader, following in the footsteps of his father, William Burkhardt Jr., and grandfather, William Burkhardt Sr., both of whom worked for BNSF predecessors Northern Pacific and Burlington Northern. Robert joined Burlington Northern in 1978 as a carman…
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BNSF is proud to sponsor the 2025 CHAFE 150 bicycle ride, an annual event organized by the Sandpoint Rotary Club in northern Idaho that supports literacy and student success. In August, Sandpoint Rotary presented a $50,000 check, raised through the event, to the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Book Trust Program, which helps children build…
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The arrival of the railroad helped cement Rathdrum’s place in North Idaho’s early development. The town transformed from a prairie settlement to a thriving rail hub in the 1880s, when the Northern Pacific Railway—a predecessor to BNSF Railway—brought new life and opportunities to the region. For a time, Rathdrum even outpaced nearby Spokane and Coeur…
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When fire destroyed a 120‑year‑old bridge on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad earlier this summer, BNSF’s Kasie Howland didn’t hesitate to step in. The general director of line maintenance, who calls herself a “bridge nerd,” volunteered her time and expertise to help the nonprofit railroad plan its next steps. The April 30th fire consumed nearly…
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For the second straight year, BNSF Railway awarded the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) with the “Tracking to Zero” award. This award is presented to states that average fewer than one grade crossing incident per one million BNSF train miles traveled in their respective jurisdictions. Idaho also received this award in 2024, the inaugural year of…
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What began in 2020 as a small BMX youth team supported by local parents and a bike shop in Kent, Washington, has grown into Cycle Therapy Racing—a nonprofit co-founded by BNSF Switchman Brent Azus. “Six months after the nonprofit label was approved, we started resonating with folks who use cycling for therapy and mental health,”…
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After noting that most people are visual learners, roadmaster Cameron Henderson began exploring how to integrate visual techniques into BNSF’s safety programs. “If I read a manual, even out loud, only a small amount of the population (35%) will absorb it because they are audible learners,” Henderson explained. “However, when I point my finger in…
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Reading is essential, and the Rotary Club of Sandpoint is making sure kids have the tools to succeed. Every June, they host the CHAFE 150, a 150-mile bike ride fundraiser that fuels programs designed to instill a lifelong love of reading. The full route takes riders through the breathtaking landscapes of Idaho and Montana’s Rocky…
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State regulators have approved nearly $20,000 in grant funding to improve safety at Sunset Junction, just west of downtown Spokane. The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is using the funds to buy 470 feet of tamper-resistant fencing, which BNSF crews will install at three high-risk trespassing spots. By closing these access points, the project aims…
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BNSF’s Site Certification Program helps businesses set up and grow rail-served facilities, creating jobs and boosting local economies. We’ve added four new certified sites—three in Washington and one in Springfield, Missouri—giving our customers even more great options to build and expand. “We’re excited to announce these new locations to our growing list of certified sites…
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In the early 1900s, railroad visionary James J. Hill, the force behind the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads, saw a unique opportunity. The Columbia River Gorge provided an ideal but underused rail route, allowing him to build a more efficient connection between Spokane, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. This became the Spokane, Portland & Seattle…
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