BNSF’s safety goal of an accident and injury-free workplace is becoming more possible—with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). BNSF is utilizing AI technology to detect wheel defects, in which algorithms sort through more than 35 million readings a day to identify potential issues that could lead to derailment and other issues on our tracks.…
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Walking along railroad tracks is dangerous and can lead to serious injury or even death. While the number one priority, safety isn’t the only consideration – walking or playing on railroad tracks is trespassing on private property and can lead to a hefty fine, or even arrest. The strict rules are in the public’s best…
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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: Helping rebuild communities and honoring the past Sandpoint, Idaho’s downtown area unfortunately lost a piece of history when a fire destroyed several historic buildings in February. The…
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Unusually frigid temperatures in the inland Pacific Northwest last month gave first responders in Northern Idaho the perfect opportunity to familiarize themselves with a new BNSF airboat and other winter rescue equipment. A training session held at Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint, Idaho saw first responders in the region practice airboat operation on water, ice,…
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BNSF Police officers John Smith, Greg Thares and Jim Brown recently assisted the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office with the 2019 Safety City event in Centralia, Wash. Safety City is sponsored by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol and Operation Life Saver. Surrounding law enforcement agencies and local fire department members staffed five different stations,…
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Greg Guthrie, BNSF’s Director of Marketing for Agriculture Products, recently appeared on the Washington Grain Commission’s “Wheat All About It” podcast. Guthrie discussed the evolution of grain transportation over the years, and how BNSF increased holding capacity without increasing train size. BNSF has evolved alongside the agriculture industry. For example, Guthrie said commodity-sized grain shipments…
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Supporting the communities where we operate, live, work and volunteer is paramount to BNSF. Recent BNSF Railway Foundation contributions include: Building connections between people and animals The BNSF Railway Foundation supports the Woodland Park Zoo’s effort to expand zoo access to those unable to visit due to resource, distance or language barriers. Contributions from the…
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A comprehensive Environmental Assessment (EA) of BNSF’s proposed Sandpoint Junction Connector Project is under way by the U.S. Coast Guard. The public is encouraged to comment on the draft EA by March 25 at www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/06/2019-01134/notice-of-availability-of-draft-environmental-assessment-for-the-proposed-construction-of-railroad. To meet the growing needs of the communities we serve, BNSF is proposing to build a second bridge over Lake Pend…
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BNSF plans to invest about $175 million in Washington this year as part of the railroad’s capital expenditure program. Much of this year’s capital plan in the state will be for replacing and upgrading rail, rail ties and ballast, which are the main components for the tracks on which BNSF trains operate. Maintaining rail network…
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Part of the work we do at BNSF is move stuff, and sometimes that stuff is big. REALLY big. Moving those big objects onto railcars to send on a cross-country journey is tricky work. For customers who need wind tower components, giant machinery, airplane fuselages and other oversized loads, we make “big” tasks seem small.…
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Too many Americans die each year while trespassing on railroad tracks or disregarding signals at grade crossings. Train crews are mandated by federal law to sound the horn when approaching all public road crossings for the safety of motorists and pedestrians. Horns are required regardless of whether gates or lights are present at road crossings.…
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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: Supporting emergency responders BNSF Railway Foundation contributed $5,000 to Jefferson County Fire District #1 in Oregon to improve its structure rescue response. The funds allowed the district…
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In rain, shine or deep freeze, BNSF continues to move our customers’ freight. It can be tough for metal track switches to move when temperatures dip well below zero. In order to keep trains moving in the right direction, ice and snow that might be stuck in switches needs to be cleared from the tracks.…
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The Alaskan Way Viaduct permanently closed on January 11, making way for the new State Route 99 tunnel. Until the tunnel opens, up to 90,000 vehicles a day that used the viaduct are expected to shift to surface streets through and around downtown Seattle. BNSF plays an important role in reducing highway congestion while also…
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As one of the largest landholding companies in the U.S., BNSF is the keeper of more than one million contracts, deeds, photographs and maps collected over nearly 170 years. Maps are essential to the railroad – capturing permanent property records and locations of important assets including signals, structures and property lines. In 2013, BNSF began…
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