Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP, CSX

BNSF and J.B. Hunt Transport Services gear up for the holiday shipping season. Also, Union Pacific’s (UP) “Big Boy” steam engine will stop in three dozen communities across 10 states during its 2024 Heartland of America Tour; and CSX inspires future innovators with engaging STEM Day for Girl Scouts.

Class I Briefs: NS, BNSF

Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Glake Yard celebrates 15 years of injury-free service. Also, BNSF completes a new mainline improvement project in Becker, N.Mex.

Real-Time Resources

RAILWAY AGE, AUGUST 2024 ISSUE: BNSF brings remote locomotive health monitoring to new levels. BNSF’s approximately 7,500 locomotives comprise the North American rail industry’s largest fleet. The average age of its high-horsepower

NS, ATDA Initiate C3RS Pilot Program

Norfolk Southern (NS) and the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), announced Aug. 6 their joint participation in the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) pilot program, which is designed to “enhance communication and transparency to help improve railroad safety.”

Employees at NS’s Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Penn., modernize a locomotive. (NS Photograph)

Class I Briefs: NS, BNSF

Norfolk Southern (NS) shares four ways to help reduce fuel consumption and how it’s driving economic development. Also, BNSF offers an operational performance update.

Premium

BNSF 2Q24: ‘Higher Volumes, Improved Productivity, Lower Costs’

Excluding the impact of litigation costs stemming from a civil suit filed by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in Washington State, BNSF’s earnings and operating ratio “showed solid improvement,” the company said

Hudson Asphalt Terminal located at BNSF’s Hudson, Colo.-based logistics center was designed and constructed by ECF Inc. of Columbia, Ill.; broke ground Oct. 1, 2023; and started unloading its first railcars last month. (BNSF Photograph)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CN, UP

Hudson Asphalt Terminal accepts the first railcars at its facility located at BNSF’s Hudson, Colo.-based logistics center. Also, CN earns the LyondellBasell 2023 GoalZERO Award for excellence in transportation safety; and Union Pacific (UP) unveils a new mural illustrating the railroad’s storied past, present and future.

A southbound train at the Alliance Intermodal Facility, circa 2005. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)
Commentary

Alliance Intermodal Facility: Celebrating 30 Years of Growth

1994 was a pivotal year for the global supply chain as NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, took effect. It was also when Amazon was founded and the World Wide Web became easily accessible to the average person.

“In 2023, we continued to hone our focus on adopting innovative alternative fuels for decarbonization, including testing biofuels in locomotives and advancing use of hydrogen-powered locomotives [pictured],” CSX reported in its new 90-page ESG report. (Screen grab from CSX video)

Class I Briefs: CSX, BNSF

CSX releases a new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting its advancements in 2023 with special reports and videos, including the launch of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered locomotive. Also, BNSF donates

Pictured: The 2024 CPKC Women’s Open trophy presentation. According to the railroad, big crowds and memorable performances during the Open helped it to raise C$4.3 million for heart health in Alberta. (CPKC Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CPKC, CSX, NS, BNSF

At the CPKC Women’s Open, a record C$4.3 million was raised to support children’s heart health research and cardiac care in Alberta, Canada. Also, CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs earns a 2024 Ultimate CEO award; Norfolk Southern (NS) provides more than 100 scholarships to its railroaders’ children; and BNSF recognizes Tristar FLC Inc., one of its Premier Transload companies, for 20 years of “excellence.”

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