Chicago-area pedestrian crossing disappears in Western Springs

Train approaching on long straight

Chicago-area pedestrian crossing disappears I have no idea how long pedestrians have been crossing the railroad right-of-way at the gated crossing on BNSF Railway’s triple-track main line at Central Avenue in Western Springs, Ill., but it’s safe to assume it’s been quite a while. But the way that crossing quickly disappeared is another reminder of […]

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Big Sky group helps pursue grant for Empire Builder route

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, the group seeking to return passenger service to southern Montana, has agreed to help BNSF Railway seek a federal grant for improvements on the route of the Empire Builder, the existing Amtrak service in the northern part of the state. The Missoula Current reports that the $15 […]

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J.B. Hunt sees massive intermodal growth opportunity on BNSF Railway

Double-stack container train passing maintenance equipment

CHICAGO — J.B. Hunt executives see the potential for major growth with partner BNSF Railway next year thanks to rival Schneider shifting its intermodal business to Union Pacific. Schneider’s move to UP, effective Jan. 1, comes a year after another major truckload carrier, Knight-Swift, left BNSF for UP. “We have massive capacity becoming available to […]

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Lower volume, higher costs weigh on BNSF’s third-quarter earnings

Train with double-stack container cars moves through S curve

OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway’s profits declined in the third quarter due to a combination of lower volume and higher operating expenses. The railway’s operating income fell 7.1%, to $2.1 billion, on revenue of $6.5 billion, a 16.8% increase, BNSF’s parent company, Berkshire Hathaway, reported on Saturday. Revenue rose due to higher fuel surcharge revenue […]

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BNSF near permission to replace Bismarck-Mandan bridge

BNSF train crossing river bridge in winter

BISMARCK, N.D. — BNSF Railway’s long-delayed effort to replace its aging bridge between Bismarck and Mandan, N.D., is on the verge of getting federal and state approval — but the preservation group that wants to save the structure is considering mounting a legal effort to stop demolition of the existing structure. The Bismarck Tribune reports […]

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ScaleTrains Gunderson Multi-Max auto rack

Drawing of white and silver auto rack train car

Gunderson Multi-Max auto racks Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $79.99 Era: 2014 to present (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Rd. NE, Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; scaletrains.com Gunderson Multi-Max auto racks feature: Railroad, road number, and era-specific details Four body variations, three ladder styles, two types of end doors, three end sill configurations, and two different upper and […]

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Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC profile (BNSF Railway)

An empty BNSF coal train passes through La Grange, Ill, on Oct. 27, 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen Read more BNSF Railway articles on Trains’ website. BNSF Railway summary Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC is a railroad holding company formed in 1994 and incorporated in Delaware that owns BNSF Railway Company, a Fort Worth, Texas-based railroad […]

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Advocates seek to save Steilacoom, Wash., Northern Pacific station

Passenger train on tracks along water, passing closed station

STEILACOOM, Wash. — Efforts to save Steilacoom’s 1914 Northern Pacific depot, which remains largely intact though closed since 1972, are being revived, KIRO Radio reports, after having been dormant since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Current owner BNSF Railway has been prepared to donate the building for several years, says Gus Melonas, a retired BNSF […]

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