BNSF Railway has asked federal regulators to approve restricted local trackage rights over 187.5 miles of Union Pacific track in Northern California to move ballast trains to and from a pit at Elsey.
The filing covers two segments: 126.2 miles between Stockton on UP’s Oakland Subdivision and Elsey on the Canyon Subdivision, and 61.3 miles between Elsey and Keddie on the Canyon Subdivision.
Under a written agreement with Union Pacific, the rights are limited to moving empty and loaded ballast trains serving the Elsey pit and are temporary, scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026. BNSF also petitioned the Surface Transportation Board to allow the rights to lapse on that date in line with the agreement.
The exemption could take effect January 16, 2026, unless stayed. Standard employee protections would apply to any workers affected by the transaction, and petitions for stay are due January 9. The Board said the action qualifies for categorical exclusion from environmental review and historic-preservation reporting.
BNSF emphasized that the authority sought is for local, not overhead, traffic. The carrier said the additional access would provide operational flexibility to originate and terminate ballast unit trains at Elsey while using Union Pacific’s route to reach the site.
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