North Idaho First Responders Practice Spill Response

North Idaho first responders engaged in two days of successful containment boom deployment practice on the Pend Oreille River at Sandpoint, Idaho. Working in conjunction with Bonner County, DEQ, ITD and EPA, BNSF and oil spill response organizations trained staff in the use of newly acquired containment boom reels. Each reel holds 2,000 feet of

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Intermodal Service Connecting the Pacific Northwest and Texas

As the largest intermodal carrier in the world, BNSF Railway now offers intermodal service between Seattle/Portland and Dallas/Fort Worth. Comparable to single-driver, over-the-road trucking options, our Pacific Northwest-Texas service operates 5 days a week and is the fastest intermodal service in the industry. With access to the largest markets in Texas, it’s the most efficient

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Rail Connects Importers and Exporters to West Coast Ports

The West Coast is the largest trading partner with Asia and the Trans-Pacific trade. BNSF freight rail is a crucial connection, providing access to markets that shippers couldn’t otherwise access. Continuing investments in the best rail infrastructure that our nation has will keep the West Coast one of the world’s top gateways.

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Treehouse Expands to Serve Youth in Foster Care

Treehouse is Washington’s leading nonprofit organization addressing the academic and other essential support needs of youth in foster care.  Treehouse helps more than 7,500 youth each year through programs that focus on their academic success, fulfill key material needs and provide important childhood experiences that every child deserves. Since 2014, the BNSF Railway Foundation has

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“Day of Caring” in Partnership with Compass Housing Alliance

BNSF’s Building Products group recently participated in a “Day of Caring” event in partnership with the Compass Housing Alliance, an organization that provides housing, shelter and support services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Puget Sound region. More than 1,500 hygiene kits were produced for people in crisis by the Building Products team. 

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See Tracks – Think Train! Observing Rail Safety Week

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), the national rail safety education nonprofit, is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation and other organizations to observe the second national Rail Safety Week (RSW), September 23-29, 2018. The first U.S. Rail Safety Week was held September 24-30, 2017, as OLI celebrated its 45th year in existence. Launching

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Demonizing Freight Rail for Political Gain

It continues to be disappointing and frustrating to see how freight rail is being demonized because of the contempt by some against coal. The latest attempt is through a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) that was released this week by the Cowlitz County Department of Building and Planning. The HIA, which is tied to Millennium Bulk

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The “First Downtown Seattle” Tunnel

Long before the SR 99 tunnel and the downtown bus/light rail tunnel, a railroad tunnel was constructed downtown between Washington and Virginia streets. A fascinating story about the tunnel is reported by Feliks Banel – broadcaster, filmmaker and historian – on mynorthwest.com. For more than 110 years, the tunnel has safely and reliably served passenger and

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Agriculture is Helping to Drive Growth

BNSF moved a record amount of agricultural shipments in 2016 and 2017, and we are continuing to move record volumes in 2018. This is driven in large part because of PNW exports.  Nearly 65 percent of the grain that BNSF carries originates from the upper plains states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana.

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Helping People in Crisis

Nothing is more important to BNSF Railway than safety and this extends to reducing the risk of accidents involving people who are in encampments on or near the railroad’s right-of-way. BNSF collaborates with local government and community groups to reach out to make people aware of safety concerns and to connect them with services. More than

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The Invictus Foundation Helps Veterans and Their Families

BNSF has made a grant of $20,000 to assist the Invictus Foundation in its efforts to improve access to behavioral health services by military members, veterans and their families. “Through BNSF Railway’s generosity we will continue to raise awareness about the psychological impact of war, to reduce stigma, and to raise awareness about the Welcome

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All Aboard: BNSF Honors Spokane Area First Responders

First responders from across greater Spokane were treated to a very special train ride this month. As a way to say thank you for their service, BNSF hosted about 150 first responders and their families aboard the First Responder Express. The First Responder Express, which is on BNSF’s private passenger rail cars, traveled from downtown

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BNSF Names Bonner County, Idaho as 2018 Heritage Community Award Recipient

Bonner County traces its rail roots back to before Idaho statehood. The Northern Pacific Railroad first reached Bonner County in the early 1880s from Spokane. The Great Northern came later in 1892 to Sandpoint, Idaho from Bonners Ferry. According to the Bonner County History Museum, the Spokane International built east from Spokane toward Coeur d’Alene

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Fire Trains Called Out in Pacific Northwest

BNSF’s specially designed and built fire trains are at hard at work again this summer on scene at forest and grass fires throughout the Pacific Northwest. Fire trains are rapidly deployed and can reach roadless areas – transporting both water and crews.  High-powered pumps on board can shoot water up to 300 feet.  The equipment

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Railroad History: Steamships Operated by BNSF Predecessor Companies

The Spokane, Portland and Seattle (SP&S) Railway was formed by BNSF predecessor companies Northern Pacific and Great Northern to pursue real estate and steamship ventures. Twin steamships, the Great Northern and the Northern Pacific, were the flagship vessels of the passenger service provide between Oregon and California. The two ships performed their job so well,

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