Track Safety Basics

Staying safe around train tracks is paramount to BNSF. Below are important rail safety tips that can save lives: 1. Freight trains don’t travel at fixed times, and schedules for passenger trains often change. Always expect a train at each highway-rail intersection at any time. 2. All train tracks are private property. Never walk on

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Well Maintained Tracks Lead to Safer Railroads

BNSF spends billions of dollars every year to maintain our 32,500-mile-long rail network in order to keep our customers’ freight moving. In fact, railroads spend an average of 19 percent of revenue on capital expenditures; six times more than the average U.S. manufacturer. For BNSF, that means we’ve invested about $2.4 billion annually on maintenance

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Safety is Paramount

Safety is at the forefront of every railroader’s mind, and safety is at the foundation of everything BNSF Railway does. As a common carrier, we’re required to move all regulated products, including hazardous materials like crude oil. This is a responsibility we take very seriously. Our commitment to safety is reflected in our excellent record:

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A Photo Opportunity Isn’t Worth the Risk

The search for a perfect photo—or social media post—leads many to shoot on train tracks, but that isn’t the best idea. Not only is it trespassing, it’s a dangerous photo opportunity that can end in serious injury or even death. Although train tracks may seem like a popular setting for photo shoots it’s not worth

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Supporting Safe Outdoor Recreation

The BNSF Railway Foundation helped fund a joint public safety fair in Sultan recently that was held by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Snohomish County Search and Rescue and Snohomish County Fire. The fair had an emphasis on spring and summer safety, as the nicer weather warms and people

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Railroad Safety is for Everyone

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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North Idaho First Responders Train on BNSF Airboat, Ice Rescue Techniques

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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Spreading the Safety Message in Centralia

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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Train Horns Save Lives

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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Ensuring Safe and Reliable Transit Through Avalanche Alley

Winter months bring extreme and unpredictable weather in the Pacific Northwest. BNSF has the tools, training and resources, including our avalanche safety program, to safely and reliably respond. Avalanche forecasters are utilized throughout a mountainous, avalanche-prone section in Glacier National Park near Essex, Montana. When pre-emptive actions are necessary, the Daisybell, an environmentally-sensitive technology device

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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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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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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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BNSF Supports Wenatchee’s Touch-a-Truck Fundraiser

BNSF once again participated in the Junior Service League of Wenatchee’s annual Touch-a-Truck fundraiser. With signs, trucks and football giveaways, BNSF spent the afternoon exposing kits to our service trucks and teaching them about what these vehicles do to keep our rail lines safe. The “Touch a Truck” fundraising event is a community wide event

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BNSF Recognized for Community Safety

BNSF was recently honored with the 2017 Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response’s (TRANSCAER®) National Achievement Award for the company’s outreach efforts to help communities prepare for and respond to possible hazardous material incidents. This is the 18th National Achievement Award BNSF has received from TRANSCAER®. This year’s TRANSCAER® award recognized BNSF for its efforts to

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