BNSF

“Thanks to Governor Greg Gianforte and Montana Department of Agriculture for joining Ardent Mills, Calumet Montana Refining, Bridge Agri Partners and about 30 community members for the groundbreaking of another rail expansion project,” the BNSF-served Port of Northern Montana reported via Facebook. (Port of Northern Montana Photograph)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP

BNSF releases an operations update for customers, and the BNSF-served Port of Northern Montana multimodal hub center launches an expansion project. Also, Union Pacific (UP) joins Clean Fuels Alliance America.

(Image Courtesy of Metra)

Happy 40th Birthday, Metra!

Chicago’s Metra on June 3 kicked off its 40th anniversary celebration with a week of activities, including a free weekend for riders June 8-9, as well as a special edition of its quarterly magazine.

The BNSF Ottumwa, Iowa, maintenance-of-way team recently achieved nine years injury-free. (BNSF Photograph)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CSX, UP

A BNSF maintenance-of-way team in Iowa marks a safety milestone. Also, CSX joins Blue Star Families to ring the Nasdaq opening bell; and a Union Pacific (UP) Dispatching Director earns the “military-friendly” Patriot Award.

In 1975 Dale Dannewitz had a three-week stint on the railroad, then began his locomotive engineer career in 1978. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)
Commentary

After Nearly 50 Years of Service, BNSF Engineer Dale Dannewitz Retires

It was 1976, a year when there was a resurgence of leisure train travel with the start of Amtrak, when Class I railroads in the Northeast joined to form Conrail, and railroads across the nation debuted patriotic livery paint schemes in honor of America’s bicentennial. And in Minot, N.Dak., a young Dale Dannewitz started his railroading career that would span nearly a half century.

Third Coast is undertaking a rail expansion project within its Pearland, Tex., chemical plant, adding 40 railcar spots to accommodate increased demand for inbound and outbound rail movements. (Third Coast Photograph)

Industrial Development Briefs: Third Coast, UIPA

BNSF-served Third Coast, a chemical contract manufacturer, is expanding its Pearland, Tex., operations to better serve the U.S. Gulf Coast chemical industry. Also, Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) adopts the West Weber Project Area for industrial development near Union Pacific (UP).

Class I Briefs: NS, CPKC, BNSF

Norfolk Southern (NS) is named “Railroad of the Year” by Evergreen Line. Also, NS restores and donates the historic East Palestine train depot; Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) Shreveport Terminal earns a CEO Award for Excellence; and BNSF provides supporting materials to a just-released documentary.

From left to right: Greg Hampson, Ben Hampson and Bill Hampson holding Ben’s son, Thad. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)
Commentary

BNSF: Hampson Family’s Enduring Mark of Safety, Resilience, Dedication

Ben Hampson’s family connection to the railroad runs deep. On his maternal side, his great-great-grandfather, Joseph Martinz, and great-grandfather Jack Martinz worked for Northern Pacific Railway (NP) in the early 1900s. Meanwhile, the paternal legacy took root in 1942 when Dan Hampson, driven by unfavorable farming circumstances and the inviting promises of railway employment, moved his family from North Dakota to Montana.

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