“GATX is sending us a boxcar that’s green—literally. The car will be in use across our network. Keep an eye out and maybe you’ll spot it!” BNSF wrote via LinkedIn earlier this month. (Photograph Courtesy of GATX via LinkedIn)

First Look: ‘Eco-Green’ Boxcar for BNSF

GATX has wrapped and released for delivery the first new 60-foot Plate F “eco-green” boxcar from a 1,500-boxcar deal signed earlier this year with and on lease to BNSF, the railcar lessor reported earlier this month via LinkedIn.

Cyrus K. Holliday Played Instrumental Role in Topeka’s Founding

Editor’s Note: As Railway Age announces BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer as our 2023 Railroader of the Year, we take note of legendary railroader Cyrus K. Holliday, who founded BNSF predecessor

BNSF’s Katie Farmer Named Railway Age’s 2023 Railroader of the Year

Railway Age’s 2023 Railroader of the Year Award, the 60th annual, goes to a groundbreaking North American rail industry leader: BNSF President and Chief Executive Officer Katie M. Farmer. “Katie Farmer permanently

The 133-year-old Merchants Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River at St. Louis and links Missouri and Illinois, officially reopened to rail traffic Sept. 15, following completion of a $222 million replacement project. Owned and operated by the Terminal Railroad Association (TRRA), the bridge serves six Class I railroads and Amtrak. (Courtesy Walsh Construction and Trey Cambern Photography)

Timeout for Tech: Railway Bridges

RAILWAY AGE DECEMBER 2022 ISSUE: Welcome to “Timeout for Tech.” Each month, we examine a technology topic that professionals in the railway industry have asked to learn more about. This month, I am joined by co-author and structural engineer W. N. Marianos as we consider railway bridges.

(Bruce Kelly Photograph)

2023 Outlook: Rails Beware

RAILWAY AGE DECEMBER 2022 ISSUE: The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is plotting an active and intense 2023.

Commentary

Will Bureaucrats Invade the C-Suite?

WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE DECEMBER 2022 ISSUE: What is going on with Class I railroad labor relations and customer service?

(Map Courtesy of MRL, via Nov. 18 STB Filing)

MRL Rails One Step Closer to Returning to BNSF

Montana Rail Link (MRL) in January announced it would cease its long-term lease with BNSF to operate over main line between Huntley, Mont., and Sandpoint, Idaho. Now, it is asking for Surface Transportation Board (STB) authorization.

BNSF’s New Sandpoint Bridge Opens for Business

Fifty years after Burlington Northern consolidated the traffic of two predecessor routes onto a single line featuring a nearly mile-long bridge near Sandpoint, Idaho, successor BNSF has opened its long-anticipated second bridge. The first train to officially cross the new structure was an empty coal train at 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2022.

Of the $3.55 billion in BNSF’s 2022 capital expenditure plan, about $580 million went toward projects that support the growth of its Consumer, Agricultural and Industrial Products customers’ businesses. (Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CN/CP, UP

BNSF is wrapping up several major capital projects to boost capacity and operational efficiency. Also, CN and Canadian Pacific (CP) are among Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2023; and Union Pacific (UP) and Portland (Ore.) Community College are launching a career technical-education initiative for welding technology, electrical trades, diesel service, machine manufacturing, and other trade career paths.

Gov. Tate Reeves signs into law Senate Bills 2000 and 2001 and House Bill 1 paving the way for "the largest economic development investment in state history" with Steel Dynamics investing $2.5 billion in Lowdnes County Infinity Mega Site.

Steel Dynamics to Invest $2.5B at KCS’ Infinity Megasite

Steel Dynamics, along with its subsidiaries and partners, will invest $2.5 billion into a new aluminum flat rolled facility and biocarbon plant at the Infinity Megasite, a KCS Premier Certified Site in Columbus, Miss., the company announced Nov. 2 in a release.

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