Go Rail: freight rail is improving towns
|
BNSF Engineering completes 7-year ARRA program in Washington state
BNSF recently put the final spike in a 7-year program that included 14 complex projects in Washington. These projects, mainly funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), focused on enhancing passenger rail service and ensuring a consistent level of freight operations through the region.
With a budget of nearly $480 million in federal funds, BNSF ensured three predefined passenger rail goals were met:
- Passenger rail travel time between Seattle and Vancouver was reduced by at least 10 minutes.
- Passenger trains are meeting an 88 percent or better on-time performance record based on Amtrak’s timetable.
- Amtrak can run two additional passenger trains per day along this route.
Projects completed during the 7-year program included:
- Constructing a new track used for U.S. border and customs inspections
- Building the Vancouver Rail Yard Bypass
- Reconfiguring and upgrading all station tracks and the signal system at the King Street Station in Seattle, WA.
- Constructing two new sections of third main line at Kelso Martins Bluff to bypass the Port of Kalama and Port of Longview traffic
- Building storage tracks at Delta Yard in Everett, WA.
- Improving the Bellingham and Seattle subdivisions with new rail, ties, ballast and turnouts
- Upgrading signal systems and extending sidings along the entire corridor
As the various improvement projects rolled out, BNSF’s passenger and commuter on-time performance has steadily improved, particularly on the southern portion of corridor, where BNSF installed 14 miles of new third main line between Vancouver and Kelso. Additionally, the six slope stability projects that help mitigate mudslides between Seattle and Everett, WA, will significantly enhance reliability and consistency of passenger service.
|
BNSF receives recognition for environmental stewardship
Praising our “efforts benefiting fish, water quality, habitat and habitat connectivity,” the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) gave BNSF its 2016 WSDOT Environmental Excellence Award. The Otter Creek Restoration Project in Lewis County, Washington, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was part of BNSF’s new track construction near Kalama, Washington. BNSF worked closely with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and various Washington state agencies to develop a habitat enhancement project on the Cowlitz River that included a complex salmon spawning and rearing habitat.
|
Inspecting our network and equipment
BNSF regularly and rigorously inspects our network and equipment to ensure we continue to run a safe, reliable railroad. Our efforts include routine visual inspections by more than 650 trained and experienced track inspectors who patrol miles of track. BNSF also uses special rail cars equipped with ultrasonic detection and other technologies to look for flaws in the rail and to test track geometry. Key routes are inspected twice as frequently as required by the Federal Railroad Administration. Our busiest mainline routes are often inspected even more frequently, and our bridge inspectors conducted more than 61,000 bridge inspections in 2016.
Watch the full video by clicking the image above!
|
One train is equivalent to 280 trucks
By converting more of their shipping from trucks to trains, BNSF customers are significantly decreasing their carbon footprint. A single double-stack intermodal train removes more than 280 long-haul freight trucks from the highway. Shipping with BNSF intermodal instead of using entirely over-the-road solutions enabled BNSF customers to reduce their total carbon emissions by 34 million metric tons in 2016.
|
Firefighting train is ready for the season
BNSF’s large fleet of firefighting rail
equipment is deployed throughout the Pacific Northwest and is on call to support local, state and federal government fire suppression teams. The specially designed and built units quickly move tanks holding thousands of gallons of water to wild fires in remote locations. Water cannons mounted on the trains can reach 300 feet up an embankment. Cabooses provide shelter and work space for fire managers. The trains have also been used to transport firefighters to and from fire scenes. Learn more by reading the full article in
Wildfire Today!
|
BNSF freight trains to the rescue
Sometimes, BNSF crews are able to help more than just moving freight. Click on the articles below to learn how BNSF saved the day.
|
Did you know?
BNSF is deploying new technologies designed to reduce emissions.
- Idle control: Idle-control mechanisms reduce air emissions and fuel consumption by automatically shutting down locomotives that aren’t being used. About 90 percent of our more than 8,000 locomotives have idle-control technology, and all new locomotives we purchase are equipped with this technology. We continue to retrofit older locomotives.
- GenSet switch locomotives: The GenSet locomotive is an ultra low-emissions, EPA-certified diesel switch locomotive. This locomotive has three low-horsepower engines that only operate when needed instead of one large engine operating at all times, saving fuel and reducing air emissions. BNSF operates 92 GenSet locomotives in Texas and California.
- Electric wide-span cranes: BNSF was the first U.S. rail carrier to install wide-span cranes. These cranes produce zero emissions on site while generating power each time they lower a load. The wide stance design of these new cranes eliminates as many as six diesel trucks (hostlers) for shuttling containers within the intermodal facility, reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. We currently use this technology at our Seattle International Gateway intermodal facility, Memphis intermodal facility, and Logistics Park in Kansas City.
- Intermodal automated gate system: BNSF has installed new intermodal gate technology using digital cameras to record images of the containers, chassis, tractors and unit numbers as they enter the intermodal facility. In addition, drivers are identified using a biometric system. These new gates have increased facility throughput and reduced truck idling time and air emissions by 50 percent. BNSF has installed these gates at its intermodal facilities in Hobart, San Bernardino and Stockton, Calif.; Alliance, Texas; Logistics Park Kansas City, Kansas; Cicero, Corwith and Logistics Park Chicago and Willow Springs, Ill.; and Memphis, Tenn.
- Tier 4: In 2015, BNSF began purchasing Tier 4 locomotives. Tier 4 locomotives meet the most stringent EPA emission standards for locomotives and have 90% less emissions than pre-2000 models.
|
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!
|
|