BNSF – Page 13 – Railfanning.org

BNSF’s 2008 Economic Development Efforts Lead to $4 Billion in Investments and 4,000 New Jobs

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Co.’s 2008 economic development efforts were instrumental in the location of 127 new or expanded facilities in communities along BNSF. The development of these facilities resulted in about $4 billion in investments and the creation of more than 4,000 new jobs.For example BNSF’s economic development team assisted a local volunteer business group in Weston County, WY. To revitalize the area, the Weston County Development Board created a plan to build a regional industrial park, the Upton Regional Industrial Site. The 600-acre site is attracting new businesses to the area and will become home to

BNSF Crews to Replace 60,000 Ties in Kansas and Missouri

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — Beginning this month, BNSF Railway Co. will begin replacing more than 60,000 railroad ties and 11.5 track miles of rail between Fort Scott, Kan., and Springfield, Mo., at an estimated cost of $9 million.”Expanding and maintaining our infrastructure not only allows us to provide customers with efficient and reliable rail service but it also benefits the overall efficiency of America’s supply chain,” said Dave Freeman, BNSF vice president, Engineering. Approximately 150 BNSF employees will work until mid-April on the Fort Scott subdivision. Crews will utilize equipment such as cranes, welders and ballast tampers to replace rail

STB Orders $345M in Rate Relief

February 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Boardgranted an estimated $345 million in reparations and rate reductions from the BNSF Railway (BNSF) to Western Fuels Association, Inc. and Basin Electric Power Cooperative Inc. The Utilities had challenged the railroad transportation rates charged by BNSF to haul 8 million tons of coal each year from mines in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin to their electric-generating plant in Moba Junction, Wyo., the STB said. The utility plant is captive to BNSF and provides electricity into grids serving consumers in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, the STB said.

BNSF Railway & J.B. Hunt Celebrate 20 Years of Intermodal Success

February 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — Twenty years ago, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. and BNSF predecessor The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company loaded a Hunt trailer onto a railcar and ushered in the modern age of intermodal freight transport. Today, intermodal is one of the most efficient, economic and environmentally friendly ways to move goods. However, 20 years ago, trucks and trains were more competitors than partners. All that changed in 1989 when Santa Fe and J.B. Hunt Transport came together in a move that would lead the industry in innovation. This joint effort started with 150 trailers and

BNSF to Replace Over 20 Miles of Rail and 50,000 Ties in Texas

February 4, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway dispatched four maintenance crews last month to replace rail and ties between Galveston and Temple, and Alvord and Rhome, Texas. “This project is part of our ongoing effort to maintain our infrastructure to ensure we meet our customers’ needs for reliability and timely service,” said Dave Freeman, BNSF’s vice president, Engineering. “Our continuing maintenance program is an example of BNSF’s commitment to its customers and the communities it serves.” Approximately 130 BNSF employees will work until mid-February replacing more than 50,000 ties and almost 22 track miles of rail. The total cost of these

BNSF Crews to Lay 30 miles of Rail through Missouri and Arkansas

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — At the end of January, BNSF Railway Company planned to begin replacing almost 30 track miles of rail and 15,000 railroad ties in its Thayer subdivision between Teed, Mo., and Memphis, Tenn. “The Thayer project is part of our ongoing effort to maintain a strong railroad to meet our customers’ needs for reliable service,” said Dave Freeman, BNSF’s vice president, Engineering. “Our lines to Memphis through southern Missouri and Arkansas are especially important as they represent a vital link to the southeast for intermodal and coal shipments.” Almost 250 BNSF employees will work until late April

BNSF Announces $2.7 Billion Capital Commitment Program

January 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Co. announced a planned 2009 capital commitment program of $2.7 billion, which is expected to be approximately $150 million lower than 2008. BNSF currently expects to spend $1.9 billion to refresh track, signal systems, structures, and freight cars, and to upgrade technologies. The Company also anticipates acquiring approximately 350 locomotives at a cost of about $675 million. These locomotives are about 15 percent more fuel efficient than the locomotives they will replace. “Our 2009 capital program reflects a continued focus on ensuring our infrastructure remains strong and improving the efficiency of our operations,” said

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reports Fourth Quarter/Full Year 2008 Results

January 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. reported quarterly earnings of $1.79 per diluted share, an increase of 23 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2007 earnings of $1.46 per share. “During 2008, BNSF earned $6.08 per share, an increase of 19 percent compared with 2007, and had its best on-time performance in more than five years despite significant weather disruptions,” said Matthew K. Rose, BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The second half of the fourth quarter saw a significant downshift in economic activity related to the global recession. Given the current economic uncertainty, we are focused on

OneRail Coalition: Encourage Transportation Policies that IncreaseMobility, Reduce Emissions, Promote Economic Growth

January 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Environmental, freight and passenger rail groups have come together with reform-minded transportation experts to form a coalition that will advance rail programs. The coalition, called the OneRail Coalition, said it will encourage public policies recognizing rail as a critical element of the national transportation system and an essential part of the future economic growth and environmental well-being of the nation. Members include American Public Transportation Association, Amtrak, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, Association of American Railroads, Building America’s Future, National Association of Railroad Passengers, Natural Resources Defense Council, Railway Supply Institute, States for Passenger Rail Coalition,

AAR: Rail Freight Traffic Down During Holiday Week

December 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was down during the holiday week ended December 27 in comparison with the corresponding holiday week last year the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported today. Total volume was estimated at 21.4 billion ton-miles, down 20.1 percent from the same week last year. Intermodal volume totaled 124,061 trailers or containers, down 21.8 percent from last year, with container volume down 21.5 percent and trailer volume down 23.2 percent. Carload freight, which doesn’t include the intermodal data, totaled 200,365 cars for the week, down 21.7 percent from last year. Loadings were down 26.5 percent