Railroad News

BNSF Railway Co., in partnership with the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), yesterday announced the opening of a new rail hub at the Port of Tacoma in Washington to meet growing intermodal demand.

The South Tacoma intermodal facility is part of a joint effort between the Class I and J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. announced in March. The two companies aim to substantially improve capacity in the Pacific Northwest intermodal market, BNSF officials said in a press release.

BNSF Railway Co. recently honored its Safety Employees of the Year for 2021.

The awards recognize outstanding BNSF leaders modeling safety across the major operations teams, including engineering, mechanical and transportation. Those recognized by the annual program "demonstrate BNSF’s vision and values through their commitment, leadership and focus on working safety and efficiently," BNSF officials said in the Class I's "Inside Track" newsletter.

The San Bernardino City Council last week certified the final environmental impact report for BNSF Railway Co.'s proposed gap closure project at its intermodal yard in the Southern California city.

The project is designed to expedite the flow of trains through the yard. About 4.3 miles of a new fourth main track will be added in two segments along the current BNSF corridor from the Class I's overpass at State Street/University Parkway to the intermodal facility.

BNSF Railway Co. last week announced changes to its controversial "HiViz" attendance policy, but a rail labor leader says the changes amount to "little more than fluff."

The policy was designed to ensure rail crews are available for their shifts to run trains to improve service reliability. But rail labor leaders have balked at the policy, claiming that it has caused locomotive engineers and other railroaders to stay on call around the clock, prompting hundreds to quit their jobs.

BNSF Railway Co. today reported economic development investments made by its customers totaled $1.5 billion in 2021.

As a result of those investments, BNSF anticipates the creation of more than 1,700 new jobs in local communities, company officials said in a press release.

BNSF Railway Co. will invest $3.55 billion this year on capital projects, the Class I announced yesterday.

The largest component of BNSF's 2022 capital plan will be to replace and maintain the railroad's core network and related assets. The plan's maintenance component calls for $2.71 billion to be spent on replacing and upgrading rail and track infrastructure, as well as maintaining rolling stock.