Latest from BNSF

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…

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…

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…

Each year, BNSF Railway helps keep communities safe by offering free training to first responders across our 32,500-mile rail network. We know that being prepared and following proper procedures are key to reducing risk, and we value the work that local fire departments, emergency managers, and emergency responders do to protect us. This summer, we…

The Boundary County, Idaho, Sheriff’s Office just got a new weapon to fight crime… and she’s adorable! Meet Mika, a female chocolate Lab trained in drug detection and the newest member of the county K9 team. Mika will partner with School Resource Officer Corporal Greg Reynolds, joining Sergeant Mike Valenzuela and his drug detection unit…

Every day, the BNSF family looks for ways to give back to the communities where we live and work. In Sandpoint, Idaho, our team has been fortunate to volunteer and contribute to local programs for many years. Recently, we had the chance to support Creations, a local nonprofit that offers educational art classes, drop-in studio…

Agriculture and BNSF Railway go way back—since the 1800s, in fact. For generations, we’ve teamed up with farmers, producers, distributors, and everyone in between to keep America’s food and energy supply strong. So, it’s no surprise that many of our employees come from rural areas with deep ties to the industry. Meet Tim Fanning, an…

In the northwestern corner of Idaho, there’s a lesser-known spot making a big impact—the Hauser refueling facility. For 20 years now, it has been quietly helping to keep freight moving smoothly throughout the Northwest. Since it opened two decades ago, this facility has played a key role in quickly servicing and refueling locomotives along one…

Spokane, the largest city on BNSF’s northern transcontinental rail line, has a rich history tightly entwined with railroading in the Pacific Northwest. Since the arrival of BNSF predecessors like the Northern Pacific in 1881, Spokane has served as a pivotal center for the railroads. Known as the “Imperial City,” Spokane became a key gateway to…

For BNSF, the safety of the communities we serve across our 32,500-mile route network, as well as our 37,000 employees, remains the highest priority. This commitment is reflected in our performance in 2023, a record year for workplace safety in the company’s 175-year history. We achieved this safety milestone through a groundbreaking Transportation Safety Agreement,…

Turning used restaurant cooking oil and other organic waste into fuel may just be the modern equivalent of turning lemons into lemonade. Recognizing the benefits of these materials, BNSF is actively involved in the biofuels industry, including transporting unconventional feedstocks that are increasingly recognized for their role in sustainable energy production. It’s a business that’s…

We are proud to announce the official completion of our Sandpoint Junction rail bridge project in Sandpoint, Idaho! To meet the growing needs of the communities BNSF serves, our team began construction of a second rail bridge adjacent to the existing rail bridge over Lake Pend Oreille in 2019. New bridges over Sand Creek and…

The North Coast Limited (NCL) emerged in 1900 as a response to the growing demand for transportation options to the majestic Pacific Northwest. Operated by our predecessor, the Northern Pacific Railway, the NCL offered adventurers a scenic route to iconic locations like Yellowstone Park and the Rocky Mountains. Though the NCL was initially a seasonal…

BNSF is taking significant steps to improve the automotive supply chain to meet rising demands for vehicles, even amid record-low production of components like semiconductor chips. We’re doing our part to help put the national supply chain back on track by working with car manufacturers to optimize operations. “Manufacturing is back, and manufacturers are not…