|
Spotlight: Idaho
An Important Link in the BNSF Network
For more than a century, BNSF Railway has played a leading role in North Idaho’s economy. The tradition remains strong today as trainloads of products are shipped in or out of the state on our 32,500-mile rail network. Idaho is part of the Great Northern Corridor, which spans the northern United States between the Pacific Northwest and Chicago, as well as reaching key southern points in Canada.
We’re proud of our role in helping Idaho’s agriculture, timber and other industries grow in today’s global economy. We link them to domestic and international markets, and we support them by delivering materials vital to their operations. In addition, BNSF helps deliver to Idaho retailers and businesses a wide variety of consumer products including packaged goods, clothes, appliances, electronics, and automobiles. In all, BNSF moves more than 1.4 million carloads of freight in Idaho annually.
The Hauser fueling facility in Idaho has raised the bar in environmental protection. No other facility throughout North Idaho or the Spokane Valley is equipped with the level of environmental monitoring and detection systems found at the Hauser depot.
Supporting BNSF’s rail network in Idaho are approximately 290 dedicated men and women who earn a combined payroll of more than $20 million.
|
BNSF supporting firefighter training in Bend, Oregon
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 multiple response tactics. BNSF provides free railroad hazmat response training to an average of 8,000 local emergency responders per year in communities across our network. BNSF has provided training to more than 80,000 emergency responders since 1996.
|
Lighting upgrades save energy and provide piece of mind
In early April, installers from the City of Spokane began replacing outdated lights with energy-efficient, Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures in under-lit railroad underpasses between Stevens and Walnut.
In addition to energy efficiency, the new fixtures will emit a clearer white light, increasing visibility and providing a safer and more secure passage underneath the railroad viaduct.
The cost to replace the lights was just over $15,000 with contributions from BNSF Railway and the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District. The energy upgrade resulted in a $7,800 rebate from Avista Utilities which reflects the energy savings the new system provides. Replaced fixtures include 100-watt HPS with 26-watt LEDs and 70-watt HPS with 18-watt LEDs, providing significant energy savings over the course of a year.
|
Firefighters trained to respond to chlorine leaks
BNSF Railway and the Chlorine Institute spent time during April in Seattle training first responders how to deal with chlorine leaks. King 5 news reported on this important training.
Click here to read the full story and watch the video!
|
WSDOT project expands rail capacity at Kalama and Longview
As part of a Washington State Department of Transportation project (WSDOT), the first trains are now safely operating over the new third main rail line at Longview. Prior to completion, freight rail traffic arriving and departing from the Ports of Kalama and Longview frequently blocked one main line track for extended periods of time limiting operations to a single track. The improvements expand capacity for both passenger and freight trains.
The project includes:
- Construction of approximately 3.7 miles of a third main line track, new turnouts, crossovers, and the removal of other existing turnouts
- Construction of a new single-track bridge over the Coweeman River, and installation of a maintenance walkway on the existing Coweeman River Bridge
- Construction of a new rail bridge over a private road
- Construction of a retaining wall and other utility, grading and embankment improvements
|
Rail stats from the Association of American Railroads
- The first quarter of 2017 was the best first quarter for intermodal EVER!
- Carloads of crushed stone, sand, and gravel had their best March in history in 2017
- Carloads of grain were the highest for March since 2008
- Total carloads on U.S. railroads in March 2017 were up 7.3% (87,183 carloads) over March 2016
- Intermodal containers and trailers were up 3.8% for the month
|
Emergencies – Call 800-832-5452
To report a vehicle stalled on a crossing, suspicious circumstances, malfunctioning crossing gates and lights or any other emergency, call 800-832-5452 immediately.
|
Have a Question for Us?
Do you have a question about BNSF or rail in the Pacific Northwest that you would like addressed in future issues of Inside Track? Send them to
[email protected].
We welcome your feedback and ideas!
|
|