Berkshire Hathaway

(BNSF Photograph)

For BNSF, 2025 Revenue, Volume Flat

Berkshire Hathaway-owned BNSF posted total revenue and volume that for 2025 were relatively unchanged from 2024 and that for fourth-quarter 2025 saw declines. In a letter to shareholders, Berkshire CEO Greg Abel,

Laurie Stiles. (Photograph Courtesy of Marmon Rail)
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Marmon Rail Tabs Stiles as President, Railserve

Marmon Rail on Oct. 27 reported that Laurie Stiles has been elevated to President of Railserve Inc., leading the businesses of Atlanta-Ga.-based Railserve, an in-plant switching and associated services provider, and two

“Railroads don’t get much attention when they are working but, were they unavailable, the void would be noticed immediately throughout America,” Warrant E. Buffett, Chairman/CEO of BNSF parent company Berkshire Hathaway Inc., wrote in a shareholder letter. “A century from now, BNSF will continue to be a major asset of the country and of Berkshire. You can count on that.”

BNSF Closes 2023 With Net Earnings, Volumes Down

While Warren E. Buffett, Chairman/CEO of BNSF parent company Berkshire Hathaway Inc., told shareholders in a Feb. 24 letter that he “erred” in his 2023 expectations for the Class I railroad, he was “particularly proud of both BNSF’s contribution to the country and the people who work in sub-zero outdoor jobs in North Dakota and Montana winters to keep America’s commercial arteries open.”

First Look: UTLX’s New Logo

Union Tank Car Company (UTLX) on May 15 unveiled a redesigned logo that it said incorporates a bold yellow arrow—representing an “unwavering commitment to progress”—and highlights an affiliation with the larger set

(BNSF Photograph)

BNSF Closes 2022 With Earnings Flat, Volume Down From 2021

BNSF posted net earnings of $5.946 billion in 2022, virtually flat with 2021’s $5.990 billion, reflecting “higher revenue per car/unit, substantially offset by lower overall freight volumes and higher fuel and other operating costs,” reported parent company Berkshire Hathaway Inc. on Feb. 25. This follows 2021’s net earnings’ increase of 16.1% over 2020.

Of BNSF’s business groups, Agricultural Products was the only one to post a volume increase in third-quarter 2022. Ag volumes were up 4% “due to higher domestic grain shipments and increased renewable diesel and oil feedstock shipments,” the railroad reported on Nov. 7.

BNSF 3Q22: Earnings Down Based on Lower Volumes, Higher Operating Costs

BNSF’s after-tax earnings declined 6% in third-quarter 2022 and rose 4% in the first nine months of the year vs. the same periods last year, reflecting higher revenue per car/unit, lower overall freight volumes, and higher fuel and other operating costs, according to parent company Berkshire Hathaway.

Buffet to Berkshire Shareholders: ‘You Can Be Proud of Your Railroad’

BNSF has reported record net earnings of $5.99 billion in 2021, up 16.1% from 2020. “Here, it should be noted, we are talking about the old-fashioned sort of earnings that we favor: a figure calculated after interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and all forms of compensation,” Warren E. Buffett, Chairman/CEO of parent company Berkshire Hathaway Inc. told shareholders in a Feb. 26 letter.

Railserve, FTS Partner on Derail Light

Railserve and Focused Technology Solutions (FTS) have developed the solar-powered Derail Light, 150 of which Railserve will install this quarter to improve derail device visibility in rail yards.

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