Today BNSF announced a tentative settlement in the long-running lawsuit over alleged coal dust emissions from railcars in Washington state. The tentative settlement reflects BNSF Railway’s long-term efforts to address coal dust and allows us to continue that practice without the distraction of a prolonged legal battle. Plaintiffs originally sued BNSF for $4.6 trillion, claiming that coal dust…
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At BNSF, we are constantly striving to improve our environmental performance. We want to highlight a few examples from our recent sustainability report. Did you know: Freight rail relieves urban traffic congestion and reduces carbon and other emissions. In fact, BNSF customers reduced their collective carbon footprint by 34 million metric tons in 2015, equal to…
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Well before winter arrives, BNSF evaluates its winter action plans to ensure that resources and procedures are in place to address extreme weather conditions. During this process, teams examine their current procedures, priorities and responsibilities to determine whether adjustments are needed based on past experience and each division’s unique climate. As of today, all 10…
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Here’s how BNSF lays double track on a solid foundation. Double track increases the network’s capacity by giving train dispatchers more options when directing traffic and by allowing planned maintenance to happen on one track while the other track is still in operation.
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With the rainy season underway here in the Northwest, landslides can become a major concern along rail lines. Since 2013, BNSF has worked with WSDOT and 16 other agencies on the Landslide Mitigation Work Group. This group has researched historical slide locations and causes along coastal bluffs and used that data to identify six project…
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Simply learning basic railroad safety information has reduced the number of collisions at grade crossings by 83% since 1972. Thousands of lives have been saved because they had the information they needed to avoid collisions. Here are some safety tips to make sure we all stay safe: Trains are always closer and moving faster than…
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Did you know that in 25% of the crashes occurring at highway-rail crossings — people actually run into the side of the train? It’s true! Often, it’s because the driver is going too fast for conditions, such as darkness, rainy weather or fog. As the days get shorter and more people drive home in the…
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BNSF Railway’s bridge inspectors know that safety affects everyone in the communities where we operate and the people who work at the railroad. They take the responsibilities of their job personally. Watch the video by clicking above.
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On September 15th, BNSF issued its annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report. The report highlights the company’s focus on continuing to enhance safety as well as efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions through more sustainable operations. . The report was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.…
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The railroad’s long history of hiring veterans dates back to the Civil War, and that connection continues today because together we are a good fit. Veterans embody the core competencies essential at BNSF: leadership, teamwork and the ability to perform safely in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. . A 2012 study by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)…
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The following commentary in the Everett Daily Herald comes from Lloyd Flem, executive director of All Aboard Washington, and Jared Wootton, general manager for the northern division of BNSF Railway: Protest that blocked tracks held up passengers, crews, freight Washington is known for many things: its natural beauty, high-tech innovation and deep roots in international trade. Our state…
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Beginning Monday, Sept. 12, BNSF Railway (BNSF) will offer intermodal customers a new service option to move freight between the Pacific Northwest and Texas. Shippers who move commodities and a wide range of consumer goods between Portland, Ore., or Seattle and Dallas/Fort Worth (AllianceTexas) will now be able to reduce their transit times by up…
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Matthew Lebsack is the chairman of the Spokane Local 1505 SMART-TD Union. In this op-ed for the Journal of Spokane Business, he writes about the future of Spokane and why the reversal of the City Council’s ordinance was so important. An excerpt: Our city can directly trace its development from the growth of the rail…
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Kalama and the railroad have a relationship that goes back to the 1870s. “The City of Kalama’s history has evolved around the railroad since its inception,” said Kalama Mayor Pete Poulsen. “It is the life blood of our ports and has helped to create thousands of jobs for our citizens. BNSF Railway recently honored Kalama…
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The following comes from Matthew K. Rose, Executive Chairman, BNSF Railway: The historic level of BNSF investment, particularly on Washington’s “Great Northern” line and BNSF’s commitment to safety requires that I write to correct the inaccurate impression of BNSF service and safety as reflected in the record of a recent Senate Energy Committee field hearing. Starting with…
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