John Barnard, Director of Fueling Operations for BNSF and 2023 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award recipient (left) with AAR SVP of Safety & Operations Mike Rush (right).

BNSF’s Barnard Receives AAR’s John H. Chafee Award

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on April 25 named John Barnard, Director–Fueling Operations for BNSF, the recipient of its 2023 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award in recognition of his environmental stewardship.

Andy Muller, CEO and Founder, Reading Blue Mountain & Northern

Railway Age 2023 Readers’ Influential Leaders

Railway Age is pleased to present the fourth-annual “Readers’ Influential Leaders” program honorees.

Class I Briefs: UP, BNSF, CN

Union Pacific (UP) moves more containers for WM (formerly Waste Management) in 2022 than in any other single year. Also, BNSF donates toward the purchase of a second location for the Tulsa Dream Center; and CN launches new tool to help its customers calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP, CSX

BNSF hosts University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers from the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) at its Fort Worth campus. Also, Union Pacific (UP) Assistant Vice President, External Relations Wes Lujan has been named one of Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2023 Latino Leadership Award winners; and CSX’s automated new vehicle inspection portals help make Total Distribution Services Inc. (TDSI) more efficient.

Commentary

Aberdeen, South Dakota: Where Railroading Roots Run Deep

In the northeast corner of South Dakota, nestled in the James River Valley, is the town of Aberdeen. Nicknamed “Hub City,” Aberdeen’s many railroad tracks intersect here, just like spokes on a wheel. With eight trains daily passing through the town of 28,000, South Dakota’s third-largest city still has “ties” to deep railroading roots.

Wash. State House: $14.5MM for Connell Rail Interchange Project

The Washington State House has recently included $14.5 million in its proposed 2023-25 Transportation Budget for the Connell Rail Interchange Project, the Connell Rail Interchange Coalition reported on March 28.

Women EnRoute Chair Brooke Owens.
Commentary

Showing Support: BNSF’s Women’s Network and Women EnRoute

Though the rail industry is predominantly male, females continue to have an increasing impact. BNSF is committed to a fully inclusive environment, and we’ve established resources to help every BNSF employee reach their full potential. Two great examples include our Women’s Network business resource group and our Women EnRoute groups across the network.

BNSF, IAMAW, BRS and SMART-MD Agreed to Paid Sick Leave

BNSF on March 9 reported reaching agreements with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW); the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS); and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD) for paid sick leave.

Commentary

Women in Rail: Mothers and Daughters Share Working for the Railroad

Railroading is an occupation often passed down through the generations. Many BNSF employees have a family history in railroading. In honor of Women’s History Month, we look at three mothers who proudly pass their enthusiasm for their work to their daughters. They have a lot in common, especially their love for their children and the railroad.

BNSF: More Than $1.6B Customer Investments in 2022

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) on Feb. 14 reported investments from customers served by the rail provider in 2022, including The Northwest Seaport Alliance, ABDW Logistics, Holly Frontier and GAF Materials, totaling more than $1.6 billion.

LOAD MORE