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The latest BNSF Railway information and resources for communities of
the Pacific Northwest.
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MARCH 2016
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Making Connections
How much do you know about the thousands of people BNSF employs in the region?
This month, BNSF launches Making Connections, a behind-the-scenes look at BNSF employees who contribute to safe, efficient, and technologically advanced rail transportation.
Filmed across Washington and Oregon, the new series showcases BNSF employees who stabilize slopes in Puget Sound, volunteer time in their local communities, train local first responders, keep BNSF infrastructure safe, and enjoy all the outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Since 2011, customers and economic development organizations have invested over $1 billion each year to create new jobs and business opportunities through rail infrastructure. |
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New videos will be available every few months at www.BNSFNorthwest.com. |
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Largest cargo vessel points to freight future |
Last month, the Benjamin Franklin – a vessel the length of two Space Needles — arrived in Seattle, offering a glimpse of Washington’s international trade future. |
Ships arriving in Seattle typically hold about 10,000 20-foot shipping containers. The Benjamin Franklin holds 18,000 containers that, when laid end-to-end, would stretch from Tacoma to Everett. |
Mega container ships like this one are the new trend in international shipping. The Port of Seattle is one of many around the country that are investing in new, more efficient rail and maritime infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels. |
“The Benjamin Franklin further proves that when we make smart investments in our freight infrastructure, we can create more jobs and have more containers moving through our ports,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell. |
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Mobile training classroom for emergency responders |
BNSF’s new mobile classroom is making its way around the state for the first time this year. The converted boxcar seats up to 37 people and is expected to host more than 100 emergency response classes in 2016.
Thousands of local emergency responders have been trained by BNSF’s Hazardous Materials Safety team. However, some locations – especially more remote areas along BNSF’s network – are unable to accommodate trainings. The mobile classroom ensures all emergency responders can receive critical training for rail-related incidences. |
In 2015, BNSF trained more than 10,000 local emergency responders – the highest number of responders trained to date. |
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Update: Landslide prevention along Everett corridor |
Landslides occur often along the Seattle-to-Everett corridor, which block tracks and halt passenger and freight service. BNSF has partnered with WSDOT on projects to stabilize these areas to ensure trains continue operating during rainier seasons. |
Projects include walls to catch debris, early warning detection fences, and rocked slope stabilization. As of this month, five of six project in this corridor are completed, with the final project to be completed by May 2016. New walls have already successfully blocked landslides from impacting rail service along the corridor. |
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Painted Journeys: The Art of John Mix Stanley |
Painted Journeys is a nationally touring exhibition organized by the Buffalo Bill Center of the West on view at Tacoma Art Museum through May 1, 2016. John Mix Stanley traveled thousands of miles crisscrossing the western territories in the mid-1800s, venturing as far as the kingdom of Hawaii. The prolific artist is best known for his portraits of American Indians created for his Indian Gallery. In 1853, Isaac Stevens appointed him chief artist on an expedition across the West to establish a northern railroad route to the Pacific. Stanley’s sketches were reproduced in Steven’s published report, which outlined the path for the Northern Pacific Railway.
Twenty years later, Northern Pacific Railway joined the West with the Northwest when it announced its transcontinental terminus would be located in Tacoma. The railroad spurred an industrial and commercial boom that drove Tacoma’s small population to expand rapidly. |
The exhibition at Tacoma Art Museum is sponsored by BNSF Railway, Patriot Fire Protection Inc., ArtsFund, and the Tacoma Arts Commission. |
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Sarah Amador, HR Manager, finalist for Seattle Chamber WIBLI Rising Star Award |
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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. |
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