Protecting Industrial Lands is Critical to Washington State’s Economy

Washington State’s transportation system has been the foundation of the state’s economy from the early days continuing into the modern era. The Evergreen State is fortunate to have assets that provide a competitive advantage over other areas of the country: natural deep water ports, one of the largest river systems in North America, a leading

Read More

Supporting our Communities

The BNSF Railway Foundation invests in the communities across the 28 states through which BNSF operates, and where BNSF employees live, work and volunteer. Recent donations include: Providing After-School Youth Services The BNSF Railway Foundation proudly supports services that help youth realize their full potential. Last year, the foundation awarded $2,500 to the Boys & Girls

Read More

BNSF Leads the Charge for Battery-Electric Locomotives

In a world where fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly products are in increasingly high demand, BNSF is staying ahead of the curve by developing a battery-electric high-horsepower road locomotive. With the help of our project partner Wabtec, BNSF is expected to begin testing this emerging technology late 2020 once all the equipment and support systems

Read More

Firefighting Trains Douse Remote Wildfires

BNSF’s rail network covers much of the American West, where wildfires are common due to high winds and frequent drought conditions. To combat wildfires, we have water-filled tank cars staged in fire-prone areas across the country. In Washington State, BNSF has two unique firefighting apparatus in our toolkit: specially equipped trains that represent innovative approaches

Read More

Helping Oregon’s Industries Deliver their Products

BNSF’s rail network serves Oregon’s timber and agriculture industries by moving the state’s freight to domestic markets such as California and Washington State, and by linking them to overseas markets. As part of the Great Northern Corridor, which straddles the northern United States from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago, Oregon is a key part of

Read More

Giving Back to Our Communities

The BNSF Railway Foundation continues to invest in the communities across the 28 states through which BNSF operates, and where BNSF employees live, work and volunteer. Recent contributions include: Providing Beds in Snohomish County BNSF Railway Foundation is honored to support efforts to end the cycle of homelessness and poverty. To help achieve those efforts,

Read More

Trains, Tanks & Troops

For more than 150 years, BNSF and predecessor railroads have partnered with the United States Armed Forces on military operations during war and peacetime. Dating back to the Civil War (1861-1865), also referred to as “the first railroad war,” railroads have transported supplies and troops for deployment. Trains were a crucial new and innovative technology

Read More

Well Maintained Tracks Lead to Safer Railroads

BNSF spends billions of dollars every year to maintain our 32,500-mile-long rail network in order to keep our customers’ freight moving. In fact, railroads spend an average of 19 percent of revenue on capital expenditures; six times more than the average U.S. manufacturer. For BNSF, that means we’ve invested about $2.4 billion annually on maintenance

Read More

Giving Back to Our Communities

The BNSF Railway Foundation continues to invest in the communities across the 28 states through which BNSF operates, and where BNSF employees live, work and volunteer. Recent contributions include: Introducing Boundary County, Idaho’s Newest Police Officer The BNSF Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office for a new K-9 unit.

Read More

Idaho: A Crucial Part of the Great Northern Corridor

BNSF has played a key role in Idaho’s economy for more than a century, and that tradition remains strong. Idaho continues to be part of the Great Northern Corridor, which spans from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago. BNSF ships trainloads of products in and out of Idaho and links industries in the state—such as agriculture

Read More

Honoring Heritage and Future with Berkyville

When BNSF joined the Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK) team in 2010, we wanted to make a big statement at the annual BRK meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. So, we took our expertise in railroads and scaled down to create something that honored both our heritage and future: Berkyville. Berkyville is the brainchild of Roger and Dorcie

Read More

Safety is Paramount

Safety is at the forefront of every railroader’s mind, and safety is at the foundation of everything BNSF Railway does. As a common carrier, we’re required to move all regulated products, including hazardous materials like crude oil. This is a responsibility we take very seriously. Our commitment to safety is reflected in our excellent record:

Read More

Tukwila, Other Industrial Lands, Must Be Preserved

As the Seattle region booms and the demand for more residential areas continue, industrial lands such as BNSF’s intermodal facility in Tukwila are scrambling to make sure they aren’t squeezed out. Tukwila city leaders and BNSF officials are working together to ensure people understand that industrial lands must be preserved, or risk losing business in

Read More

Giving Back to Our Communities

The BNSF Railway Foundation continues to support the communities across the 28 states through which BNSF operates, and where BNSF employees live, work and volunteer. Recent contributions include: Enriching Green Spaces on Arbor Day The BNSF Railway Foundation recently partnered with the Downtown Spokane Partnership and Arbor Day Foundation to enrich green spaces in downtown Spokane

Read More

Washington: A Gateway to International Trade

BNSF has been Washington’s primary freight railroad since 1873, moving many of the products coming in and out of the state that keep our economy moving. As part of the Great Northern Corridor that spans the northern U.S. to Chicago, Washington is a critical piece of our rail network. BNSF helps farmers in the state

Read More