BNSF News (Burlington Northern Santa Fe)

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Wednesday, September 5

• Buffett's Investment Company May Buy 25 Percent of BNSF Railroad (AP)
• Berkshire's Burlington Northern stake now 15 pct (Reuters)
• Possible BNSF expansion concerns Wittmann residents (Arizona Republic)
• Hundreds of thousands of bushels of grain piled on the ground (AP)
• Small town neighbors say railroad tie plant caused their cancer (AP)
• Feds Propose Railroad Brake Rule (AP)

Wednesday, August 29

• Berkshire's Burlington Northern stake now 14.8 pct (Reuters)

Wednesday, August 22

• BNSF agreement on intermodal facility expected as soon as September (Victorville Daily Press)
• Buffett again increases Burlington Northern stake (Reuters)
• BNSF train derails in Newton, Kansas (The Kansan)

Wednesday, August 15

• Thousands of rail cars expected in North Dakota for bumper crop (AP)
• Railway aims to add track through Cajon Pass (Press-Enterprise)
• Livingston rail yard gets deep clean from BNSF (AP)

Wednesday, August 8

• Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Buys More BNSF Shares (AP)
• Great harvest shadowed by no-show trains (Bismarck Tribune)
• BNSF, city still arguing over Quiet Zone (Orange County Register)

Sunday, August 5

• BNSF worker claims he inhaled deleterious substances in FELA suit (Madison County Record)
• Railroad worker dies in a crane accident (News-Record)
• BNSF offers to haul water to fight Glacier blaze (Great Falls Tribune)
• Olathe railroad project is 50 percent complete (Kansas City Star)

Sunday, July 29

• Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reports Second Quarter Results (BNSF)
• BNSF CEO sees "strong" pricing in '08 (Reuters)
• Lewistown Montana buys rail corridor from BNSF for trail system (AP)

Sunday, July 22

• Burlington Northern Santa Fe Increases Quarterly Dividend by 28 Percent (BNSF)
• BNSF rebuffs private offer for Tukwila-to-Snohomish rail line (Seattle Times)
• Train collision dumps loads, no one injured (Argus Leader)
• No leak in train derailment (Southeast Missourian)

Sunday, July 15

• BNSF Kansas coal track reopens Monday after floods (Reuters)

Sunday, July 1

• Topeka one-stop shop for BNSF (Capital-Journal)

Sunday, June 24

• BNSF derails 10 train cars in northwest Minnesota (AP)

Sunday, June 3

• BNSF Train Carrying Hazardous Materials Derails In Vancouver, WA (KPTV)
• BNSF Train Derailment Spills Beer & Asphalt in Denver (Fox 31)

Sunday, May 27

• FreightCar America Builds New Design Ballast Cars for BNSF (RAIL)

Sunday, May 13

• BNSF Railway Enhances Proposed Southern California International Gateway (BNI)
• Kaw River RR Leases Bedford Industrial Park Switching in Kansas City from BNSF (BNI)
• BLET, BNSF Reach Tentative Agreement on Contract (BNI)

Sunday, May 6

• Rail tax credit in US "national interest" says STB (Reuters)
• Buffett likes railroads, outlook not "sensational" (Reuters)

Sunday, April 29

• BNSF Reports First Quarter 2007 Results and Record First Quarter Revenues (BNI)
• Union Pacific and BNSF experience bottleneck at Colton Crossing (Press-Enterprise)
• BNSF New Mexico railroad bridge destroyed in fire (KRQE)
• BNSF provides rides, scholarships for Wyoming children (Star-Tribune)

Sunday, April 22

• BNSF Railway Poised to Make Memphis Integral Part of System (Memphis Daily News)

Sunday, April 15

• Berkshire, BNSF's Biggest Investor, Buys Into 2 Other Railroads (AP)
• Buffett's Pricey Railroad Ride (Business Week)
• BNSF Railway closer to new yard opening (Dallas Business Journal)
• BNSF Announces Changes to Enhance Transport Safety of Hazardous Materials (BNI)
• Investigators still sorting out BNSF derailment in Yakima (Yakima Herald-Republic)
• BNSF coal train derails in Nebraska (Billings Gazette)

Sunday, April 8

• Berkshire takes 10.9 pct BNSF stake (Reuters)
• Bill tying BNSF property taxes to shipping rates dies (Great Falls Tribune)

Sunday April 1

• Norfolk Southern and BNSF Railway to Test New Train Brake Technology (BNI)
• BNSF Says Proposed Tax Penalty in Montana Would Be Illegal (AP)

Sunday, March 25

• Democrat Says BNSF Should Get Big Tax Bill for Overcharging (AP)
• Desert BNSF yard would mean more jobs (San Bernardino County Sun)

Sunday, March 18

• BNSF's 2006 Economic Development Efforts Lead to $1 Billion in Investments (BNI)
• BNSF CEO Awarded 2006 Compensation Valued at $12.2 Million (AP)

Sunday, March 11

• With Taxpayer Help, BNSF Buying Cleaner Locomotives (AP)
• Union Pacific, BNSF receive bulk of Texas environmental grants (AP)

Sunday, February 18

• BNSF Extends Share Repurchase Program And Modifies Approach (BNI)
• Officials Look For Cause of BNSF Derailment (KTIV)

Sunday, February 11

• $54.4 million in BNSF upgrades right on track (Great Falls Tribune)
• Hiring on a fast track at BNSF (Dallas Morning News)

Thursday, February 1

• BNSF Reports All-Time Record EPS and Operating Income (BNSF)
  Quarterly earnings and revenue rise 26% and 9%, respectively; volumes rise 4%.
• BNSF Announces $2.75 Billion Capital Commitment Program (BNSF)
  BNSF to invest $750M in track and facilities in 2007 to expand capacity.

Sunday, January 21

• Snowless railroad tracks lure animal herds to death (Pioneer Press)
  Train speeds reduced and food scattered nearby in attempt to reduce animal deaths.
• BNSF working exclusively with Victorville on hub (Desert Dispatch)
  BNSF intermodal facility could bring 20,000 jobs to Victorville, California.
• BNSF Begins Track Maintenance Between Bakersfield and Fresno (BNSF)
  BNSF to spend $17.5M on four-week track renewal project of 105 mile subdivision.

Sunday, January 14

• FRA Approves BNSF's Product Safety Plan (BNSF)
  BNSF to begin implementing the Electronic Train Management System (ETMS).
• Railway considers coal-to-liquids idea (Billings Gazette)
  BNSF explores coal-to-liquids project to supply diesel fuel for locomotives.

Saturday, January 6

• BNSF Logistics Expands With Acquisition of Pro-Am Transportation (BNSF)
  BNSF purchases third-party logistics company with $25 million revenue in 2006.

Sunday, December 31

• In avalanche debate, Park wants snowsheds, BNSF wants artillery (Whitefish Pilot)
  Glacier Park debate involves environmentalists, technical consultants, and BNSF.
• Train Derailment Forces Residents to Evacuate (KQ2)
  BNSF derailment in St. Joseph, MO involved tank cars carrying alcohol.
• BNSF train derails east of Newberry Springs (Desert Dispatch)
  BNSF derails several cars near Newberry Springs, California.

Sunday, December 17

• New DM&E Powder Basin line would cause delays - BNSF (Reuters)
  BNSF claims expansion would delay intermodal; DM&E says claim is anticompetitive.
• BNSF, CN competition heats up (Memphis Business Journal)
  BNSF will reintroduce intermodal container service between Northwest and Memphis.
• Santa's train is steaming to town (The Columbian)
  BNSF Santa Special, powered by steam locomotive SP&S 700, visits Vancouver, WA.
• Railroad claims more study needed in avalanche zones (Hungry Horse News)
  BNSF seeks further analysis of the impacts of using artillery to control snow.
• BNSF derailment in Wash. rekindles call to move rails (Peace Arch News)
  Citizens group to pressure BNSF to move tracks inland.

Thursday, November 30

• US rail fans wanted for national security (Reuters)
  BNSF program encourages railfans to report suspicious behavior.
• Computer problem disrupts BNSF Railway network (AP)
  BNSF signals disrupted systemwide due to a malfunction in scheduled software upgrade.
• Four rail cars back on track so far at derailment in Everett (Post-Intelligencer)
  BNSF derailment suspends Amtrak and Sounder commuter rail north of Seattle.

Wednesday, November 8

• Helena man seeks forced sale of rail line (Independent Record)
  Orthodontist seeks lease of inactive 95-mile rail line from BNSF for freight and dinner train.
• Railway's avalanche control opposed (Washington Post)
  National Park Service opposes BNSF plan to use artillery instead of new snowsheds.
• BNSF, CSX Corp ink deal to speed East-West delivery (Dallas Business Journal)
  Railroads agree to operate two intermodal trains daily between West Coast and Atlanta.
• BNSF looking at site at Dallas Logistics Hub (Dallas Business Journal)
  BNSF considers locating intermodal facility in Dallas.
• Railroad: No deal on freight facility in Kingman (Daily Miner)
  Politicians in Kingman Arizona seek economic boom from a BNSF transload facility.
• Railroad demands immunity (Rocky Mountain News)
  BNSF seeks immunity from lawsuits before light rail service can expand in Denver.

Monday, October 23

• BNSF, CSX Create High-Volume Intermodal Corridor (BNSF/CSX)
  Railroads to expand capacity for intermodal service between West Coast and Southeast.

Saturday, September 23

• Galesburg key location for BNSF (Register-Mail)
  BNSF manager suggests Galesburg could be critical in relieving Chicago congestion.
• Railway's light-rail stance irks suburbs (Rocky Mountain News)
  Denver light rail advocates disappointed that BNSF may ban light rail on freight tracks.
• Crawford returning to normal following train derailment (Tribune-Herald)
  BNSF derails 23 cars, spilling corrosive liquid ethanolamine in President Bush's hometown.

Wednesday, September 13

• Railroad says RTD can't use light rail on Gold Line (Rocky Mountain News)
  BNSF will not allow Denver's RTD to operate light rail on freight route.

Friday, September 1

• Freight yard annexation up for voters’ approval (AP)
  BNSF seeks $200 million intermodal facility in Gardner, Kansas.
• Chemical car goes off tracks in Beaumont (Beaumont Enterprise)
  BNSF train carrying liquid potassium hydroxide derails in Texas.
• Judge dismisses city's railroad suit (The Hawk Eye)
  Federal judge rules against City of Burlington in its suit against BNSF.

Sunday, August 13

• Strong winds knock parts of train off track in North Dakota (AP)
  High winds derail 14 cars of a BNSF train into the Sheyenne River in North Dakota.
• Rail advocates hope commuter system will roll on (Reporter-Herald)
  Front Range Commuter Rail Corp. weeks Wyoming to New Mexico service over BNSF.

Thursday, July 27

• BNSF Reports All-Time Record Quarterly Volumes, Revenues and EPS (BNI)
  Quarterly earnings and revenue increase 32% and 18%, respectively.

Saturday, July 15

• BNSF/California derailment prompts evacuation (AP)
  Five locomotives and seven cars of a BNSF train derail in remote Northern California.

Tuesday, July 4

• BNSF officials answer questions from producers (AP)
  Three-day informational tour designed to improve communication with producers.

Saturday, June 24

• Railroad fights more regulation (AP)
  BNSF asks Wyoming mining industry to pressure Congress not to further regulate railroads.
• Feds OK Colorado half of railroad track swap (Southeast Missourian)
  Union Pacific and BNSF seek approval to exchange Missouri and Colorado track.
• Railway rolling toward future (San Bernardino County Sun)
  BNSF gives reporters and photographers tour of railroad expansion projects.

Friday, June 9

• BNSF asks railfans for cooperation to keep America's rail system safe (BNSF)
  BNSF launches Citizens for Rail Security (CRS), recruiting railfans to assist security.
• Railroads Struggle to Ship Coal in U.S. (AP)
  Power plants see stockpiles dwindle as BNSF and UP invest in additional capacity.
• A New Solution to Meet Dallas/Fort Worth's Ethanol Demand (BNSF)
  BNSF and Musket Corporation reach agreement to transport ethanol.

Wednesday, May 31

• Demand for ethanol puts business back on tracks (Des Moines Register)
  Union Pacific and BNSF see ethanol shipments soar due to public and private investment.
• BNSF affirms $1B facility near Gardner (Kansas City Business Journal)
  Intermodal transportation facility and logistics park to be built near Gardner, Kansas.

Tuesday, May 23

• BNSF shelves plan for faster trains through town (AP)
  Following opposition, railroad will not raise train speed to 60mph through Casselton, ND.

Tuesday, May 16

• KC Southern hires new CFO (Kansas City Business Journal)
  Kansas City Southern hires former BNSF VP as executive vice president and CFO.
• Train derails near Fort Madison (AP)
  BNSF derails locomotive and 22 coal cars near Fort Madison, Iowa on Friday.

Wednesday, May 10

• Tax credits best boost for rail investing (Reuters)
  BNSF CEO says federal tax credits would support rail infrastructure investments.
• Rail lines plan coal-field expansion (AP)
  UP and BNSF plan to expand jointly owned line in Powder River Basin coal fields.
• Northstar Commuter Rail officials and BNSF reach agreement (Star News)
  Construction and operating agreement reached for 40mi Minneapolis commuter rail line.
• Wind blows freight cars off tracks; key rail link closed (AP)
  16 cars of a BNSF train derail south of Wichita early Tuesday.
• BNSF Celebrates Grand Opening of Logistics Center (BNSF)
  38-acre transload operation opens in Fontana, California.

Sunday, April 30

• Twisted train cars close three UP lines (KNOP)
  Union Pacific reroutes trains over BNSF after Thursday morning derailment in Nebraska.

Tuesday, April 25

• BNSF Reports Record First-Quarter Revenues and EPS (BNSF)
  Earnings and revenue rise 31% and 16%; operating ratio improves to 76.5%.
• Burlington Northern Barrels Ahead (Fool.com)
  BNSF's strong results are met with a 6% stock decline.

Friday, April 21

• BNSF makes case for explosives (Hungry Horse News)
  BNSF says explosives are the best way to control avalanches in Glacier National Park.
• Arizona considers commuter rail (ASU Web Devil)
  Proposals would bring service to existing UP and BNSF track in Tempe and Phoenix.
• Train derailment scatters wheat near Elmira (Bonner County Daily Bee)
  BNSF derails 13 cars in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Sunday, April 16

• Railroads seek to fix last remaining bottlenecks (AP)
  BNSF to remove single-track bottlenecks from transcontinental route.
• US rail freight handler steams into Shanghai (Xinhua)
  BNSF to open first office in China, signifying importance of China intermodal business.

Friday, April 7

• Are remote-controlled trains a good idea? (KATU)
  BNSF derailment in Vancouver WA raises safety concerns over remote-control trains.
• Freight boom surprises long-route railroads (AP)
  BNSF and UP invest in track and improved technology to meet rising freight demand.
• 11 train cars jump the track (San Bernardino County Sun)
  BNSF derails 11 cars at Cajon Pass on Monday morning.

Friday, March 31

• BNSF misses the fast track (Star-Telegram)
  Record volume growth poses operational challenges.

Sunday, March 26

• BNSF files reply (The Hawk Eye)
  Litigation continues between BNSF and City of Burlington over 1858 land use agreement.

Sunday, March 19

• Norfolk Southern, other railroads will slow the hiring train (Virginian-Pilot)
  NS, BNSF, and UP say their rates of hiring will decrease in 2006.
• BNSF plans third rail through Cajon Pass (Victorville Daily Press)
  Addition of a third track will cost $50 million and is scheduled to complete in 2007.
• Railroads play coal catch-up (Star-Tribune)
  BNSF and Union Pacific continue maintenance and expansion in Powder River Basin.
• Rail sale boosts S.D. trains (Argus Leader)
  South Dakota's sale of 368 miles of track to BNSF has opened new rail access.

Tuesday/Wednesday, March 7-8

• Railroad says it'll send more coal (Star-Tribune)
  BNSF will commit coal train resources to Wyoming power plant facing shortage.

Tuesday/Wednesday, February 28-March 1

• Government Sues Ft. Worth's Burlington Northern (AP)
  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sues BNSF alleging age discrimination.

Wednesday/Thursday, February 15-16

• Burlington Northern sees 'mid-teen' earnings rise (Reuters)
  BNSF expects earnings to increase by a mid-teen percentage rate, revenues by 10-13%.
• BNSF urged to put brakes on proposal for faster trains (AP)
  Casselton North Dakota opposes BNSF plan to increase train speeds to 60mph.

Tuesday, February 14

• Train derails in Moore (Norman Transcript)
  BNSF freight train derails in Oklahoma on Monday.

Monday, February 13

• Tracks reopen after weekend derailment of freight train (AP)
  BNSF reopens tracks following a Saturday derailment east of Glacier National Park.

Tuesday, February 7

• Critics wonder about future of line (AP)
  Montana farmers question BNSF's use of 18-mile route for rail car storage.
• BNSF's Economic Development Efforts Lead to $1.3B in Investments (BNSF)
  BNSF facility investments led to the creation of 7,000 jobs in 2005.

Monday, February 6

• Working on the railroad (St. Louis Business Journal)
  Union Pacific, BNSF, and Norfolk Southern to add hundreds of jobs in St. Louis region.

Saturday/Sunday, February 4-5

• North Dakota gets new railroad (Grand Forks Herald)
  Start-up Dakota Northern Railroad leases 82 miles of track from BNSF.
• Second train in two weeks derails near Sprague (KXLY)
  BNSF derails second train in as many weeks in Washington state.

Thursday/Friday, February 2-3

• Landslide closes BNSF Railway for 10th time since Christmas (The Columbian)
  Incessant heavy rain causes landslide, halts Amtrak service between Portland and Seattle.

Monday, January 30

• Amtrak line reopens 30 hours after accident (AP)
  Damaged track in Washington state reopens following Empire Builder derailment.
• BNSF Railway investing in Lincoln's Hobson Yard (Lincoln Journal Star)
  BNSF to expand Lincoln yard and add 50 miles of track in Nebraska and Wyoming.

Wednesday/Thursday, January 25-26

• U.S. Transportation Secretary discusses rail safety plan (AP)
  BNSF pilots 50 wireless transmitters to communicate status of switches.
• BNSF blames state for cleanup delays (Billings Gazette)
  Railroad says regulatory hurdles are slowing cleanup at Livingston rail yard.
• Train Derails In Jasper (NBC13)
  BNSF derailment in Alabama is area's second this month.
• BNSF to add 250 jobs (Star-Telegram)
  BNSF to add 250 to corporate headquarters and yard in Fort Worth, Texas.

Monday/Tuesday, January 23-24

• BNSF Reports Record All-Time Quarterly and Annual Revenue and EPS (BNSF)
  Quarterly earnings rise 24% driven by strong 18% freight revenue growth.
• BNSF Announces $2.4 Billion Capital Commitment Program for 2006 (BNSF)
  Capital program 10% higher than 2005, including $400 million for track and facilities.

Thursday/Friday, January 19-20

• CN and BNSF Railway announce agreement to increase network fluidity and infrastructure capacity (CN/BNSF)
  Improvements seen in Vancouver, Chicago, and between Memphis and southern Illinois.

Monday/Tuesday, January 16-17

• Casselton officials object to proposal for faster trains (AP)
  Casselton, North Dakota officials object to BNSF plan to raise track speed to 60mph.
• R.J. Corman announces lease of track from BNSF (Memphis Business Journal)
  RJ Corman adds 36 miles of industrial track to Memphis area operations.
• 7 train cars derail in Shelby, spilling corn (AP)
  BNSF derailment spills two cars of corn in Shelby, Montana on Monday.

Friday/Saturday, January 13-14

• Train tracks reopened (Seattle Times)
  BNSF reopens Seattle-Everett track on Friday after rain caused several mudslides.
• BNSF Cuts Rail Rates (AP)
  BNSF reduces grain car rates from four states.

Wednesday, January 11

• American Indian tribe in Nevada says railroads stole its land (KRNV)
  Tribe sues Union Pacific and BNSF alleging violation of 1860's agreement.

Monday, January 9

• Railroads struggling to keep up (AP)
  Union Pacific and BNSF shipped 85% of scheduled of coal trains from Wyoming's PRB.

Friday, January 6

• Seattle-to-Everett train service halted until Monday (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
  Mudslides north of Edmonds Washington shut down BNSF route.
• Merrill Lynch ups price on railroads (Reuters)
  Analyst raises target price on BNSF, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, and CSX stocks.

Thursday, January 5

• Coal dumped as train derails near Galesburg (Peoria Journal Star)
  BNSF derailment spills three coal cars in Illinois.

Wednesday, January 4

• BNSF will make emissions changes (Daily Press)
  Goals include idling-reduction, low sulfur fuel, health-risk assessments, and more.

Thursday/Friday, December 29-30

• BNSF gets OK to abandon track spur (AP)
  STB approves BNSF's request to abandon 21-mile spur in Montana.

Tuesday/Wednesday, December 27-28

• Sierra Club pans BNSF for location of fuel depot (AP)
  Environmental group gives "Dead Swan Award" for BNSF's fueling depot.

Wednesday, December 21

• Grant County farmers say BNSF rail plan inadequate (AP)
  Farmers dissatisfied with limited shipping options to Tacoma and Seattle ports.

Friday, December 9

• BNSF merger speculation swirls (CalTrade Report)
  Strong finances could lead to merger with Canadian National or Kansas City Southern.
• BNSF to refurbish Fort Benton rail route (Great Falls Tribune)
  BNSF to upgrade Great Falls to Fort Benton route for new grain elevators.
• BNSF increases share repurchase program (Memphis Business Journal)
  BNSF adds 30 million shares to the 150 million shares previously authorized.

Wednesday, December 7

• B.C. probe urged after two CN trains derail in one day (Globe and Mail)
  Government action likely following 12th derailment in British Columbia this year.
• Christmas train loops through Barstow (Desert Dispatch)
  BNSF operates Christmas Train from Victorville to Barstow, California.

Tuesday, December 6

• High court to hear BNSF worker case (Fort Worth Star Telegram)
  US Supreme Court will hear case alleging retaliation for sexual harrassment complaint.

Sunday, December 4

• BNSF offers to buy polluted area (AP)
  Railroad to buy property contaminated by diesel fuel from pre-1986 operations.

Wednesday, November 30

• State reaches $76 million deal with BNSF (AP)
  New Mexico to buy nearly 300 miles of track between Belen and southern Colorado.

Sunday, November 27

• Engineer sued by railroad in train collision (AP)
  BNSF sues engineer for failing to stop at signal and causing two million dollar wreck.
• Tons of corn spills as train derails in Laurel (Billings Gazette)
  BNSF derailment spills tons of corn early Saturday morning.

Wednesday, November 23

• Burlington Northern to Buy Core Railroad (AP)
  BNSF purchases South Dakota-owned Core Railroad.

Sunday, November 20

• BNSF in eye of rail merger speculation (UTU)
  Reports suggest BNSF may merge with Canadian National or Kansas City Southern.
• Railroad industry enjoys growth in cargo traffic (AP)
  Record freight volumes are boosting local terminal operations at BNSF.

Monday, November 14

• Produce shippers blame railroad (AP)
  BNSF declines regularly scheduled service at ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

Thursday, November 10

• BNSF Railway Company Named Carrier of the Year by Wal-Mart (BNSF)
  Wal-Mart honors BNSF with annual award.

Wednesday, November 9

• Train derailment damages equipment on Fort Hood (NBC 6)
  BNSF derailment damaged military tanks headed to Iraq.

Friday, November 4

• Burlington Northern Santa Fe: Freight Train Boogie (Kiplinger's)
  Increased freight volumes and rates sends BNSF stock to new highs.

Wednesday, November 2

• Grain producers upset about BNSF's service rates (AP)
  Grain shippers voice complaints to Surface Transportation Board official.
• BNSF Honors Three Railroads With Short-Line Achievement Awards (BNSF)
  BNSF award honors resourcefulness and achievements of three shortlines.

Saturday, October 29

• Railway’s profits surge (Clovis News Journal)
  BNSF profits surging from high demand brought on by heightened trade and fuel prices.

Wednesday, October 26

• Crews fix torn-up railway in a day (Billings Gazette)
  BNSF crew repairs track within 24 hours of a 43-car derailment in Montana.

Tuesday, October 25

• BNSF Reports Record All-Time Quarterly Revenue and EPS (BNSF)
  Quarterly earnings per share rise 42%, revenues 18%, over last year.

Monday, October 24

• Havre crews respond to derailment near Billings (AP)
  BNSF derails 43 freight cars in Montana on Saturday, tracks reopened Sunday.

Friday, October 21

• BNSF Details Fuel-Surcharge Plan For Coal, Agricultural Products (BNSF)
  Mileage-based fuel surcharge program will take effect January 1.

Thursday, October 13

• Train derailments compound coal export delays (Star Tribune)
  Derailments in Wyoming's Powder River Basin disrupt coal exports.

Thursday, October 6

• BNSF sells track to Northern Plains Railroad (AP)
  72-mile track in northeastern North Dakota plagued with flooding and unstable rail bed.

Tuesday, October 4

• Grain cars derail near Casselton (AP)
  At least 17 grain cars on a BNSF train derailed near Casselton, North Dakota.

Monday, October 3

• New book sheds light on history of BNSF (Star-Telegram)
  Book release commemorates the 10th anniversary of the 1995 merger.
• BNSF Employee Recognized for Locating More Than $1 Billion in Economic Development Related Projects (BNSF)
  39-year BNSF veteran worked with communities and cities in more than 20 states.

Friday, September 30

• BNSF upgrading 700 miles of track (AP)
  Railroad replaces ties, ballast, and rails on 700 miles of track in South Dakota.

Tuesday, September 27

• Train derails near Ancona (Pontiac Daily Leader)
  BNSF derailment diesel spills fuel near Ancona, Illinois.

Friday, September 23

• Railroads prepare for Hurricane Rita (AP)
  Union Pacific and BNSF are relocating railcars and gathering repair supplies.

Thursday, September 22

• Hurricane Rita Evacuees Ride Train on BNSF Railway (BNSF)
  450 evacuees ride a special Trinity Railway Express train from Houston to Dallas.
• BNSF Railway cuts grain shipping rate increases (AP)
  Railroad to significantly cut grain-shipping rates in Montana and three other states.

Wednesday, September 21

• BNSF still on the fast track (Star-Telegram)
  Railroads are experiencing the best economic environment since 1980 deregulation.
• U.S. railroads limit shipments as Rita churns (Reuters)
  Railroads halt grain, chemicals, and other commodities to the Texas Gulf Coast.

Tuesday, September 20

• BNSF lawsuit getting costlier (The Hawk Eye)
  City of Burlington has spent $97,686 on a lawsuit against BNSF.

Monday, September 19

• Burlington Northern's Southern Demand (Reuters)
  BNSF sustained minimal hurricane damage, and reconstruction may spur demand.

Friday, September 16

• Railroad says corn removal is right on track (Daily Inter Lake)
  Million-dollar grain cleanup intended to prevent bear fatalities after an August derailment.
• Cost of rail cars through the roof (Minot Daily News)
  Fuel prices, Hurricane Katrina, and crop sizes raise grain shipping costs.
• Train derails in Victorville (Daily Press)
  Eight cars from a BNSF train derailed around 2:30am Thursday.

Thursday, September 15

• BNSF charged with giving less service, charging more (Farm & Ranch Guide)
  North Dakota officials and agriculture industry leaders urge BNSF to improve service.

Tuesday, September 13

• Two tankers, flat car derail in Reno County (AP)
  No liquefied petroleum gas leaked when two tankers derailed in Hutchinson, Kansas.
• BNSF Railway Showcases New Technology for Cleaner Air Quality (BNSF)
  Los Angeles demonstration included hybrid switch engines and natural gas locomotives.

Monday, September 12

• Train derailment clogs Pawnee; No one injured (AP)
  Five cars of a BNSF freight train derailed in Pawnee Oklahoma on Monday morning.
• Flaws found in concrete coating at BNSF fuel depot (AP)
  Additional problem surfaces at controversial refueling depot in Hauser, Idaho.

Friday, September 9

• The grain train drain (Missoula Independent)
  BNSF hires bear management resource and installs electric fence following grain spill.

Thursday, September 8

• Burns asks railroad to suspend fuel surcharges (AP)
  Senator asks BNSF to suspend fuel surcharges in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Wednesday, September 7

• Derailment Stalls Metrolink Service (LA Times)
  BNSF freight derailment cancels Tuesday morning commuter rail in Los Angeles.

Saturday, September 3

• Union Pacific, BNSF Rail Lines Get Back on Track (Omaha World-Herald)
  Freight railroads reopen tracks to New Orleans after inspections, repairs.
• BNSF Railway Makes $1 Million Contribution, Offers Transportation Help
  BNSF donates $1 million and offers rail transport to aid hurricane victims.

Saturday/Sunday, August 27-28

• Derailment spills corn along tracks (Daily Inter Lake)
  BNSF derailment spills corn in Montana; bear management experts to assist in cleanup.
• One line open at site of derailment (Billings Gazette)
  One of two tracks reopen after Friday derailment near Essex, Montana.
• Union Pacific Updates Coal Shipment Progress on Wyoming Coal Line (UP)
  BNSF has completed a key phase of trackwork to restore full coal shipments.

Friday, August 26

• A mountain of coal waits for a ride (USA Today)
  Utility companies forced to conserve coal as BNSF and UP struggle to meet demand from Powder River Basin. Years of coal dust led to track problems and derailments.

Monday, August 22

• Railroad Boasts 'Love' for Truckers (BNSF)
  BNSF celebrates National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

Friday, August 19

• Rail wrecks put coal-burning utilities in a bind (AP)
  Derailments and subsequent repairs in the Power River Basin have limited coal shipments.
• BNSF suit action slows (The Hawk Eye)
  Ongoing litigation between BNSF and City of Burlington quiets prior to April 2006 trial.

Monday, August 15

• BNSF to lease railroad lines to Yellowstone Valley Railroad (Sidney Herald)
  BNSF leases 172 miles of track to Yellowstone Valley Railroad.

Thursday, August 11

• Moody's revises BNSF's debt rating outlook (Reuters)
  Outlook raised to positive from stable due to recent strength of financial results.

Wednesday, August 10

• Swift Intermodal Ltd. Acquires BNSF-leased 53-foot Containers (BNSF)
  Swift will acquire approximately 3,800 53-foot containers currently leased by BNSF.

Friday, August 5

• BNSF softens grain shipping rates (Great Falls Tribune)
  Montana leaders say the rate increase still threatens to shut down the state's terminals.

Wednesday, August 3

• Wyoming coal prices keep surging (Dow Jones Newswires)
  Price of coal mined in the Powder River Basin continues to surge following derailments.

Tuesday, August 2

• Trains Derail & Scatter Cars Across Tracks (KSDK)
  BNSF auto train derails near St. Louis, colliding with a train on the adjacent track.

Friday/Saturday, July 29-30

• Schweitzer asks BNSF to rescind higher grain rates (AP)
  Gov. Brian Schweitzer is urging BNSF Railway Co. to repeal higher grain-shipping rates.

Thursday, July 28

• Trains may be forced to drop speeds (St. Cloud Times)
  Minnesota cities seek to limit train speeds; railroads oppose legislation.
• BNSF Celebrates 10th Anniversary Of Merger (IRJ)
  CEO reflects on 10th anniversary of the merger between Burlington Northern and Santa Fe.

Tuesday, July 26

• BNSF Reports Record Quarterly Revenue and EPS (BNSF)
  Second-quarter profit increased 47% as freight revenue climbed to a record $3.04B.
• Rail woes slow coal transport (AP)
  Two derailments in May have slowed rail traffic out of Wyoming's Powder River Basin.
• Train hauling corn derails (Billings Gazette)
  13 cars of a BNSF grain train derailed in Montana on Monday, spilling corn.

Monday, July 18

• City answers BNSF claim (Hawk Eye)
  City of Burlington responds in ongoing litigation concerning property and BNSF shops.
• Ten rail cars leave the track (AP)
  Broken rail caused a BNSF derailment in North Dakota on Friday.

Thursday, July 14

• BNSF says it plans millions in rail upgrades in North Dakota (AP)
  Railroad plans more than $28 million for 2005 in four-year state track upgrade project.

Monday/Tuesday, July 11-12

• Union, railroads disagree on crew size, training (Lincoln Journal Star)
  Railroads and the United Transportation Union are at odds over crew size reductions.
• China trade has helped revitalize BNSF (Dallas Morning News)
  BNSF success increasingly linked to shipments from the world's fastest-growing economy.

Friday/Saturday, July 1-2

• Coal train derails in Miles City (AP)
  BNSF coal train derails in Miles City, MT on Friday afternoon.
• $50 million track project goes through Abo Canyon (News-Bulletin)
  BNSF will double-track a section through Abo Canyon in New Mexico.
• Railroad does major maintenance (Havre Daily News)
  BNSF begins maintenance project on 80 mile section between Havre and Malta.

Thursday, June 30

• BNSF legal tab escalates (The Hawk Eye)
  City of Burlington has spent more the $77,000 in legal fees in BNSF property dispute.

Tuesday, June 28

• BNSF line reopens after derailment (Billings Gazette)
  Amtrak's Empire Builder passengers were bussed between Havre and Minot.

Saturday, June 11

• Amtrak Passenger Train Collides With Truck (KATU)
  An Amtrak train struck a BNSF truck in Kelso, WA; crew escaped unharmed.

Friday, June 10

• Burlington Northern backs full-year outlook (Reuters)
  BNSF says bad weather and a derailment cut some coal traffic in the second quarter.

Wednesday, June 8

• BNSF files latest response in city lawsuit (Hawk Eye)
  Railroad responds to City of Burlington lawsuit concerning 1858 property agreement.
• BNSF Employee Wins Rail Hazmat Award (AAR)
  BNSF AVP wins Holden-Proefrock Award for career achievement in hazmat excellence.

Monday, June 6

• BNSF railroad has hidden agenda (News-Leader)
  Editorial: Proposal to close crossing is to accommodate longer trains, not improve safety.

Tuesday, May 31

• Rail jam could slow Valley's economy (Arizona Republic)
  Phoenix's rail yards are near capacity, forcing at least one local customer to move.

Wednesday, May 25

• BNSF trial date changed (The Hawk Eye)
  City claims BNSF broke an 1858 contract requiring the railroad to keep repair shops.

Monday, May 23

• BNSF to Expand Use of Environmentally Friendly "Green Goat" (BNSF)
  BNSF is acquiring four environmentally friendly hybrid switch engines for use in Texas.
• Coal trains returning to normal pace after derailments (AP)
  Traffic returned to normal Monday after snow and rain damaged a route in Wyoming.

Saturday/Sunday, May 21-22

• Move the rails east (Rocky Mountain News)
  Proposal would move BNSF and UP freight trains out of downtown Denver.

Thursday, May 19

• BNSF Begins Taking Delivery of Camera-Equipped Locomotives (BNSF)
  Cameras are installed to provide information on grade-crossing accidents.

Wednesday, May 18

• BNSF sues Doe Run over lead (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
  Railroad sues own customer to repay millions of dollars spent on lead-related settlements.

Monday, May 16

• King County trying to buy rail corridor for new trail (Seattle Times)
  County seeks 47-mile BNSF route between Renton and Snohomish County.

Saturday/Sunday, May 14-15

• Legislators want say in sale of state-owned railroad (AP)
  South Dakota lawmakers say the legislature should have been consulted before BNSF sale.

Friday, May 13

• BNSF Breaks Ground for Logistics Center - Fontana (BNSF)
  BNSF begins construction of a logistics center 13 miles west of San Bernardino.

Wednesday, May 11

• Rail line reopens after cars derail south of Abilene (KLTV)
  BNSF route in West Texas reopens after Monday's derailment of 25 cars carrying potash.
• Cars of freight train derail (AP)
  Five empty grain cars derailed on BNSF near Essex, Montana on Tuesday.

Tuesday, May 10

• Refueling depot that leaked into water supply allowed to reopen (AP)
  An Idaho judge ruled that a BNSF locomotive fueling depot may reopen.

Saturday/Sunday, May 7-8

• BNSF lawsuit effort continues (The Hawk Eye)
  City of Burlington and BNSF Railway are six months from their face-off in court.

Friday, May 6

• Tracks reopen following derailment (AP)
  BNSF reopened route in North Dakota after 25 train cars loaded with soybeans derailed.
• City-BNSF reach deal on crossings (Macomb Journal)
  BNSF and the city of Macomb, Illinois agree to close some crossings, improve others.
• BNSF: Zero tolerance for trespassing (Casper Star Tribune)
  BNSF police ask the public to stay off railroad property in Wyoming.

Thursday, May 5

• Service resumes on Metra's Rock Island line (Chicago Sun Times)
  A BNSF freight train derailed near Chicago's downtown Loop before dawn Thursday
• Fargo-area officials reviewing agreement for 'quiet zone' (AP)
  City officials are reviewing draft agreements with BNSF to establish "quiet zone."

Wednesday, May 4

• Railroad Reaches Agreement (Marshall County Journal)
  South Dakota is on the verge of selling 368 miles of state-owned rail line to BNSF.

Monday, May 2

• Leak at Idaho BNSF depot spawns song, jokes, cocktail recipe (AP)
  Opponents of a refueling depot turn to new techniques to permanently shutdown the facility.

Friday, April 29

• CSX, Burlington Northern Post Profit Surges (AP)
  Higher demand for coal and merchandise transportation boost CSX and BNSF.
• In historic deal, board votes to sell state railroad lines (Black Hills Pioneer)
  South Dakota sells 380 miles of publicly-owned rail lines and related facilities to BNSF.
• BNSF Ready To Re-Open Depot (KXLY)
  BNSF is ready to open Hauser Refueling Depot, previously shutdown due to leaks.

Thursday, April 28

• Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reports 60 Percent Higher First-Quarter EPS
  BNSF reported record first-quarter earnings, a 60% increase over first-quarter 2004.

Tuesday, April 26

• NLR Announces Lease of St. Cloud Minnesota Rail Lines From BNSF
  Anacostia & Pacific will lease 22 route miles from BNSF in the St. Cloud, MN area.

Friday, April 22

• Kaw River RR Announces Lease of Missouri Rail Line From BNSF
  Kaw will lease 15 route miles of track from on the Kearney to Birmingham line.
• Turrell residents fear BNSF tracks (Evening Times)
  Trackside residents in Arkansas believe track conditions are unsafe.

Thursday, April 21

• State plays DM&E card in fight with BNSF over rail line (Black Hills Pioneer)
  The State Railroad Board gave the green light to the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad to run on state-owned tracks that have been under exclusive contract with BNSF.

Wednesday, April 20

• Senate kills bill to force BNSF's hand on rates (Great Falls Tribune)
  An attempt to pressure BNSF to reduce shipping rates for grain farmers died in the Senate.

Tuesday, April 19

• Train derailment causes big mess in Mount Pleasant (Fairfield Ledger)
  Eleven cars of a BNSF coal train derailed in Iowa on Monday.

Saturday, April 16

• Charges sought in trestle incident (Daily Inter Lake)
  BNSF seeks to prosecute three who were nearly hit by a train on the Coram trestle.

Thursday, April 14

• Railroad to lower its rates (Great Falls Tribune)
  BNSF agreed to an immediate reduction in rates for Montana wheat farmers.
• J.P. Morgan cuts rail stocks to neutral (MarketWatch)
  Railroad stocks continue a week-long fall following JP Morgan downgrades.

Wednesday, April 13

• Railway threatens lawsuit if taxes are tied to freight rates (Great Falls Tribune)
  BNSF will file suit if Montana ties property taxes to grain shipping rates.
• 5 railroad stocks rolling along (CNBC)
  Economic growth and high fuel prices continue to benefit railroad profits.

Friday, April 8

• Wall Street sees rail stocks still chugging ahead (Reuters)
  Railroad stocks still have steam left for further gains despite their recent run-up.

Thursday, April 7

• Railroad Double Track Expansion in Kiowa Area (Alva Review Courier)
  BNSF efforts to double-track entire Chicago-LA mainline will reach Kiowa next year.

Sunday, April 3

• Group claims railroad overcharging farmers (AP)
  Montana committee claims BNSF is overcharging farmers with high fuel fees.
• Train derails along Highway 2 (Herald-Review)
  A nine-car derailment on Friday morning halts BNSF traffic in Minnesota.
• Weather Slows Repairs At Leaky Refueling Depot (AP)
  BNSF's leaking refueling depot in northern Idaho remains closed.

Friday, April 1

• Heartland Flyer back on schedule (Pauls Valley Daily Democrat)
  The completion of a BNSF track project allows Amtrak service to return to schedule.

Tuesday, March 29

• Burlington to move to mileage-based fuel surcharge (Reuters)
  BNSF is shifting to mileage-based fuel surcharges to ease the sting of rising oil prices.