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 Symphonic Experience for Low-Income Youth Symphony Tacoma’s Simply Symphonic program is an educational resource providing Tacoma-area youth a vivid introduction to live symphonic music. Thanks to a $2,000 donation…
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Since its origins dating back to the 1800s, BNSF has been a leader when it comes to employing innovative technologies in its railroad operations and equipment. This longstanding practice was in full swing last month in Vancouver, Wash., when BNSF showcased the many ways it utilizes cutting-edge technology to safely and efficiently deliver the goods we all use every…
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BNSF and the agriculture industry have enjoyed a longstanding and historically significant relationship for nearly two centuries. The partnership is an important link in the world’s food chain with agricultural products currently compiling over 10 percent of BNSF’s load volumes annually. In the 1850s, representatives from BNSF predecessor Chicago, Burlington & Quincy worked with farmers and offered advice on…
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You may have heard of K-9 police units, but what about railroad K-9 units? BNSF’s K-9 program was created to help BNSF special agents patrol the tracks and ensure the security of our network. The program is rigorous and requires the special agent and K-9 to train and live together, making them true partners. The dogs and handlers are…
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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: Empowering Women in our Communities As part of the organization’s efforts to support women in their community, YWCA Spokane’s Women’s Opportunity Center (WOC) provides economic empowerment advocacy to survivors of intimate partner violence. To…
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After a robust and comprehensive permitting process, the U.S. Coast Guard issued the final Environmental Assessment (EA) for BNSF Railway’s Sandpoint Junction Connector Project, finding that the bridge construction would have no significant environmental impact. The project will construct a second bridge over Lake Pend Oreille adjacent to the existing rail bridge, reducing congestion and…
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Railways might not come to mind when thinking of companies that utilize drone technology, but BNSF has been a leader in employing drones for years. BNSF first used drones in 2015 to monitor service interruptions during a flood event in Valley View, Texas. Since then, our drone capabilities have advanced with the help of our…
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BNSF recently completed a “float out, float in” bridge replacement project to install a new bridge on the Fallbridge Subdivision in Home Valley, WA. This innovative process has only been completed a few times and required extensive coordination and planning throughout a three-year process. The new bridge—a 260-foot through truss—was erected on a barge in…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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