BNSF – Page 17 – Railfanning.org

FreightCar America Builds New Design Ballast Cars for BNSF

June 8, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — FreightCar America, Inc. has delivered 162 electrically operated all-steel ballast cars to BNSF Railway from its railcar production facility in Johnstown, Pa. These are the first ballast cars BNSF has acquired in over 20 years. They have higher capacity at 110 tons and feature a new technology operating system for the discharge doors. The cars are designed with a new electric, solar-powered activation system, whereby ballast can be dumped remotely by radio control. Their air-operated doors from W. H. Miner Enterprises function like traditional ballast cars, capable of distributing ballast either on the inside or outside of the

Norfolk Southern and BNSF Railway to Test New Train Brake Technology

March 29, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) and BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) will begin testing a new braking system that may reduce the amount of time it takes to stop a train. The project, authorized by the Federal Railroad Administration, calls for NS and BNSF to equip and test certain locomotives and freight cars with electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes. ECP brakes have the potential to reduce train stopping distances by as much as 50 to 70 percent over conventional air brake systems. ECP brakes utilize electronic signals to simultaneously apply and release throughout the length of a freight

State of Minnesota, Northstar and BNSF Sign Key Agreement

March 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

ANOKA, Minn. — Officials from the state of Minnesota, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) and BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) signed a key agreement today that defines Northstar’s rights to operate along the 40-mile stretch of BNSF train tracks between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis. “This agreement is another significant milestone toward delivering Minnesota’s first commuter rail system, one that is in high demand among Northstar Corridor residents,” said NCDA Chair Dan Erhart. “BNSF has a long history of working with commuter rail agencies to provide access to our right of way for passenger service while also preserving our capacity

Amtrak San Joaquins Service Back to Normal

March 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND – BNSF Railway’s annual San Joaquin Valley track maintenance and rehabilitation has concluded and all Amtrak San Joaquin trains are back to their normal schedule. The track work between Bakersfield and Fresno began in January and was recently completed. Amtrak operates the San Joaquin Service, with six daily round-trips to Bakersfield from Oakland or Sacramento, under a contract with Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation.

FRA: New Era of Rail Safety with Approval of First Positive Train Control System

January 9, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The first Positive Train Control (PTC) system capable of automatically controlling train speed and movements to prevent certain accidents, including train collisions has been approved. “This is a major achievement that marks the beginning of a new era of rail safety,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman. “The steps FRA and railroads are taking show that applying PTC technology can work and will provide important safety benefits.” In 2005, FRA revised federal signal and train control regulations to facilitate and enable development and deployment of PTC technology, Boardman said. Specifically, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approved the

Service Alert: Amtrak Pacific Northwest Service Disrupted by Mudslides North of Seattle

December 28, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

SEATTLE – BNSF has imposed a curfew on passenger trains between Seattle and Everett, Wash., due to mudslides. Here are service interruptions announced by Amtrak: AMTRAK CASCADES: Service north of Seattle by Amtrak Cascades trains has been canceled through Thursday evening, December 28, with alternate motorcoach transportation provided to and from Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. Service south of Seattle to and from Eugene, OR, is not affected. EMPIRE BUILDER: The Chicago-Seattle Empire Builder will originate and terminate in Everett, instead of Seattle, through Thursday evening, December 28, with alternate motorcoach transportation provided to and from Seattle and Everett. This information

Pacific Northwest Service Resumes South of Seattle, Coast Starlight to Originate in Portland

December 17, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

SEATTLE – BNSF Railway has opened the railroad between Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash. following mudslides south of Seattle, and Amtrak service was to resume Saturday, Dec. 16, with the exception of the Coast Starlight, train No. 11. Train No. 11 will originate in Portland, with alternate transportation between Seattle and Portland. Amtrak Cascades will operate as scheduled. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates. – Special to Railfanning.org News Wire

BNSF: DM&E Plan Could Cause Delays

December 16, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas – If the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad were allowed to haul coal over the Powder River Basin (PRB) along the former I&M Rail Link’s (IMRL) line, it could cause substantial delays to time-sensitive BNSF Railway Co. trains at Savanna, Ill., the company said this week in a filing with the Surface Transportation Board. BNSF’s transcontinental main line between the Pacific Northwest and Chicago crosses the former IMRL line at grade at Savanna en route to the Chicago Gateway, where delays could be substantially increased by the addition of PRB coal trains regardless of what route into

Pacific Northwest Amtrak Service Disrupted by Mudslides South of Seattle

December 16, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

SEATTLE – The BNSF Railway has imposed a curfew on passenger trains between Seattle and Portland, Ore., due to mudslides south of Seattle, Amtrak said. AMTRAK CASCADES: Service south of Seattle by Amtrak Cascades trains has been canceled through Saturday evening, December 16, with alternate transportation provided to and from Seattle and Portland. Service south of Portland to and from Eugene, Ore., is being maintained. COAST STARLIGHT: The Los Angeles-Seattle Coast Starlight will originate and terminate in Portland, instead of Seattle, through Saturday evening, December 16, with alternate transportation provided to and from Seattle and Portland. This information is subject

Veterans Welcome as Rail Industry Hires 80,000 Employees; Major Railroads Cited as Top Military-Friendly Employers

November 12, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The nation’s four largest railroads have all made the list of “Top 50 Military-Friendly Employers” as determined by GI Jobs magazine. The railroad industry is creating 80,000 American jobs over the next six years, and is one of the few industries that doesn’t outsource its jobs or facilities overseas. Thousands of those being hired are former military personnel, including both officers and enlisted personnel. The jobs they perform cross the entire spectrum of railroading, from locomotive engineers to conductors to civil engineers to information technology to marketing. “Today, railroads are going through a hiring boom as more and