Our network includes just over 25,800 grade crossings. Promoting grade-crossing safety is an essential part of our operation and culture. Trains cannot stop quickly. A 100-car freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour will need more than a mile to stop once the train is set into emergency braking. When vehicle drivers or pedestrians…
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The train whistle, or horn, is an important part of our safety practices. The horn alerts people that a train is approaching a railroad crossing. It can also be used to warn animals or trespassers in our right-of-way along a section of track. Many people don’t realize that federal and state regulations require us to…
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The first-ever U.S. Rail Safety Week is planned for this week. The campaign is jointly sponsored by Operation Lifesaver Inc., BNSF Railway as well as other freight railroads and Amtrak, along with the Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, the Association of American Railroads, and other safety partners. Rail Safety Week is…
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BNSF takes safety very seriously and helping our first responders train is a big part of that effort. This year, BNSF conducted a cold-water boom deployment drill on the Kootenai River in Idaho with first responders in addition to providing a safety briefing to the Kootenai County Local Emergency Planning Committee. In September, BNSF will…
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A total solar eclipse will occur Monday, Aug. 21, across the U.S. in many communities where BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) operates. BNSF will continue normal operations throughout the day and during the eclipse, and reminds community members to stay safe and away from railroad tracks. Because nothing is more important to BNSF than operating safely,…
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Firefighters from Bend, Sun River, Crescent and other areas around Central Oregon received hazmat training from BNSF. BNSF brought a modified, training tank car to Bend so that first responders receive a better of understanding of how to respond to an incident involving the railroad. This mobile classroom on rails allowed first responders to experience…
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BNSF, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Boundary and Bonner County Emergency Management, and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality completed an all-day cold weather oil spill response training on Saturday, Jan. 14th on the Kootenai River. Approximately 40 Boundary and Bonner County and Tribal first responders, and oil spill contractors were trained in the use of…
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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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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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At The Hill, former National Transportation Safety Board Managing Director Peter Goelz explains why the Spokane City Council’s proposed ordinance sets a dangerous precedent: Rail Safety Remains Strong Railroads moved more than 528,000 carloads and intermodal units of goods in the week ending July 23. Down 5.3 percent year over year, the numbers are still…
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John Lovenburg, Vice President — Environmental for BNSF, recently penned this guest column in the Olympian on our commitment to safety. Rail industry works hard to improve safety Rail transport is vital to Washington’s economy — $28.5 billion each year in positive economic impact, according to a recent study by the Washington Council on International…
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Last week, a Union Pacific oil train derailed in Oregon. Emergency responders, including BNSF, acted swiftly to contain the risk, and protect communities and the Columbia River. Thankfully, no injuries were reported and residents are returning to their homes. Nothing — absolutely nothing — is more important to BNSF Railway than operating safely. We are…
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