Category: BNSF

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BNSF Railway has introduced a new expedited rail service connecting Los Angeles to Houston in just three days. The service officially began operations on July 10 and marks a significant step forward in offering fast, reliable alternatives to traditional over-the-road shipping.

“Our expedited service from Los Angeles to Houston is a strategic development that not only extends BNSF’s market reach but also connects two major metropolitan areas more effectively,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF Group Vice President, Consumer Products.

The new service runs between BNSF’s Hobart intermodal facility in Los Angeles and its Pearland facility in the Houston area. It is designed to meet growing demand for faster and more consistent freight movement, especially for shippers currently trucking freight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Houston.

Leveraging BNSF’s busy Southern Transcon route, the service offers improved transit times, expanded capacity, and a compelling rail alternative for time-sensitive shipments. The initiative is part of BNSF’s broader effort to convert more over-the-road freight to rail, providing cost-effective, environmentally friendly supply chain solutions.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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BNSF Railway, in partnership with Norfolk Southern (NS) and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), has launched a redesigned intermodal rail service that reduces transit time by three days for freight moving from the Pacific Northwest (PNW) to Chicago and beyond.

The new Inland Point Intermodal (IPI) service features a more efficient process at the NWSA ports of Seattle and Tacoma, where trains will now be built in under two days. This accelerated turnaround enables seamless transfer via BNSF’s Northern Transcon route, improving speed and consistency for shippers.

“This collaboration is the result of listening to our customers, who want to shift more freight to rail while lowering inventory and transportation costs,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF Group Vice President, Consumer Products.

Thanks to operational enhancements, NWSA now reports the lowest rail dwell time in the U.S. so far this year. The updated service delivers cargo from ship to Chicago in just six days—the fastest transit time from any PNW port.

Norfolk Southern and BNSF will streamline the journey further by consolidating handoffs at a single Chicago location (NS-Ashland), facilitating quick crew swaps before cargo continues to inland destinations such as Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“This partnership is a great example of how we can innovate to meet the evolving needs of shippers,” added NWSA CEO John Wolfe.

The new service is effective immediately.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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BNSF Railway has unveiled its $3.8 billion capital investment plan for 2025, emphasizing safety, reliability, and future readiness to meet customer needs.

“Our 2025 capital plan reflects BNSF’s commitment to supporting customer growth while operating a safe, efficient, and reliable railroad,” said Katie Farmer, President and CEO.

The majority of the investment—$2.84 billion—will focus on maintenance to keep the network in optimal condition. Projects include replacing 2.5 million rail ties, 410 miles of rail, and conducting surfacing work across 11,400 miles of track. These efforts aim to minimize service disruptions and enhance capacity.

Additionally, $535 million is allocated for expansion and efficiency initiatives, building on over $2.6 billion invested in similar projects over the past five years. Key developments include:

Completing the Cicero Intermodal Facility expansion in Chicago.

Advancing the Barstow International Gateway project in California.

Initiating plans for a future intermodal facility in Phoenix, Arizona.

BNSF will also continue constructing a third main line track near Needles, California, and increasing siding capacity near Phoenix to boost network capacity and service reliability.

This investment underscores BNSF’s dedication to meeting current and future demands while delivering strong service to its customers.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the sale of approximately 30 acres of public land to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) for the development of the Barstow International Gateway, a transformative rail facility project. The land, located 0.5 miles west of Barstow in San Bernardino County, California, is isolated and surrounded by BNSF-owned private property, making it difficult to manage. The sale will be conducted at no less than the appraised fair market value.

BNSF plans to invest over $1.5 billion to create the 4,500-acre state-of-the-art facility, the first of its kind developed by a Class 1 railroad in the United States. The integrated rail yard, intermodal facility, and warehouses will support the seamless transfer of freight from international containers to domestic containers.

The project aims to streamline cargo transport by transferring containers directly from ships at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to trains through the Alameda Corridor, up to Barstow. At the Barstow International Gateway, cargo will be processed using clean-energy-powered equipment, staged, and built into trains for nationwide transport. Westbound freight will similarly be processed to enhance efficiency for shipments to ports and California terminals.

This facility is expected to significantly enhance freight movement, reduce congestion at ports, and support sustainable logistics across the region.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s BNSF Railway, in collaboration with Norfolk Southern Corporation, has announced tentative five-year collective bargaining agreements with The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) and The National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO).

This development follows recent agreements with four other labor unions, providing 17 percent of BNSF’s union-represented workforce with pending tentative agreements. The timing of these agreements, four months before the next bargaining round, ensures covered employees enhanced pay, health care, and vacation benefits.

BNSF President & CEO Katie Farmer emphasized the importance of employee well-being and praised the swift collaboration in reaching these agreements. The deals include a 3.5 percent average annual wage increase, improved vacation policies, and enhanced health care benefits.

IBB and NCFO leaders expressed their satisfaction with the agreements, highlighting the positive impact on their members’ quality of life and commending BNSF’s proactive approach to labor negotiations.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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BNSF Railway has completed its multi-year, mainline improvement project in Becker, New Mexico. This new investment is adjacent to the railroad’s Belen facility, the largest fueling facility in North America, and will improve the railroad’s total train capacity through the Southern Transcon route by roughly 30 percent.

“Belen, New Mexico is really the heartbeat of our Southern Transcon, accounting for about a quarter of BNSF’s entire fuel usage and 25% of our volume,” said VP of Service Design Jon Gabriel, who will take over as group vice president of Consumer Products in September. “Having this new added capacity in Becker positions us for tremendous growth, while improving service consistency for all our current customer traffic further reducing our carbon emissions across this key intermodal route.”

The Becker facility includes two new processing tracks at approximately 20,000 feet available for fueling, inspections and crew changes. These additions will minimize the time it takes for trains to stop and get moving again toward their destination.

BNSF’s Belen, New Mexico facility, located on the Clovis Subdivision, serves as the primary hub for BNSF fueling and inspections between Los Angeles and Chicago.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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BNSF Railway, part of Berkshire Hathaway, has earned a top score of 100 on the 2024 Disability Equality Index, marking it as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” for the second consecutive year.

“This recognition solidifies our efforts toward becoming a more inclusive and diverse place to work,” said Dustin Almaguer, vice president of compliance and audit, and executive sponsor of BNSF’s Disability Inclusion Alliance (DIA) business resource group. “We are committed to building upon our progress so our railroad continues to be a leader in fostering a trusted environment where everyone feels included and valued for who they uniquely are.”

The Disability Equality Index, created in 2015 by Disability and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), encourages best practices in workplace disability inclusion and equality. Celebrating its 10th year, the index is a comprehensive tool for businesses aiming to positively impact the employment of people with disabilities.

BNSF’s evaluation included categories such as culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement, supplier diversity, and responsible procurement.

“We’re extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies that are taking a proactive role in leading progress toward disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability. “Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only attracts top talent but also drives innovation and creates sustainable performance in today’s global market.”

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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BNSF Railway, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has unveiled plans for a new regional rail-served facility near Phoenix, Arizona. Spanning approximately 4,321 acres in northwest Maricopa County, this master-planned logistics hub aims to transform the transportation, storage, and distribution of goods across the Phoenix metro area and the greater southwest.

The facility will feature three interconnected components:

1. Intermodal Facility (1,770 acres): A central hub for rail shipments, utilizing standardized containers and trailers for efficient transfer.

2. Logistics Park (1,420 acres): State-of-the-art sites for warehouse and distribution operations.

3. Logistics Center (1,131 acres): Direct-rail-served sites to support local industry needs.

By integrating into the existing rail network, the facility is set to optimize supply chain operations, enhance efficiency, and minimize environmental impacts. This development is expected to generate significant job opportunities and foster economic growth by encouraging businesses to co-locate.

Jon Gabriel, BNSF’s Vice President of Service Design, emphasized the project’s importance: “As BNSF and our customers adapt to changing market demands and technological advancements, expanding rail capacity in the Phoenix area is crucial. This long-term investment underscores our commitment to our customers and the broader community in Arizona and beyond.”

The new facility will help reduce trucking distances in the region, decreasing air emissions, lowering road maintenance costs, and enhancing road safety.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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BNSF Railway, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has been ordered to pay $400 million to the Swinomish Tribal Community for the railroad’s continued unauthorized crossing of the tribe’s land in order to reach an oil refinery.

The lawsuit in question was initially filed back in March 2015, asserting that BNSF had breached the terms of a right-of-way easement granted to them by the railroad.

BNSF had offered a settlement sum of $21.7 million, only to have it dismissed by the tribe.

According to the Swinomish Tribe, BNSF had exceeded the agreed limits on train and car crossings outlined in the agreement. The violation was deemed to be conscious and deliberate by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik, who issued a ruling on March 27. Judge Lasnik also pointed out that this transgression was motivated by the pursuit of profits.

The primary concern of the Swinomish Tribe revolves around the potential risks posed to their waterways by the transportation of oil via trains passing over the Swinomish Channel. This channel acts as a crucial link between Skagit Bay in the south and Padilla Bay in the north. The tribe’s historical treaty rights safeguard their fishing activities, and they are apprehensive that BNSF’s transportation of Bakken crude oil, in a manner and quantity that contravenes the explicit terms of the easement agreement, may jeopardize their way of life. Furthermore, the tribe asserted that BNSF had operated these trains without obtaining their consent or permission.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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BNSF Railway, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has reported that investments from its customers soared to over $4.1 billion in 2023, marking a significant contribution to local economies and job creation. Notable investments hailed from key supply chain partners and customers such as Cenovus Energy and Green Bison Soy Processing LLC. These investments have not only bolstered infrastructure but have also spurred the creation of more than 4,200 new jobs in communities where BNSF operates.

The surge in investments underscores a collaborative effort between BNSF and its customers to tailor rail development solutions to meet specific needs, thereby enhancing supply chains and driving economic growth. Chris Danos, Assistant Vice President of Economic Development at BNSF, emphasized the company’s commitment to creating customizable solutions that not only streamline logistics costs but also foster sustainability.

Throughout 2023, BNSF facilitated various industrial and agricultural projects across its network, aiding in the transportation of commodities crucial to local economies. Two standout examples include:

Cenovus Energy: With a substantial investment, the Superior Refinery in Superior, Wisconsin, acquired by Cenovus Energy in 2021, underwent reconstruction and reopened its doors in 2023. The rail-served refinery, which produces asphalt, vacuum gas oil, light cycle oil, and LPG products, employed over 350 people and contributed significantly to the economic vitality of the Superior-Duluth area. Annual payroll exceeded $29.9 million, while substantial spending with contractors and vendors further boosted local economies.

Green Bison Soy Processing LLC: In Spiritwood, North Dakota, an investment of approximately $350 million saw the establishment of Green Bison Soy Processing, a soybean processing plant operated by ADM & Marathon Petroleum Corporation. This facility addresses the growing demand for renewable fuels, particularly renewable green diesel, sourcing and processing local soybeans. The complex, featuring over 22,000 feet of new track, can annually ship 14,000 carloads of outbound soy meal and vegetable oil. Notably, the plant has created hundreds of regional jobs and generated an additional 75 positions.

The influx of investments in 2023 represents the largest commitment by BNSF customers and local economic development organizations to new or expanded facilities in the past five years. These endeavors highlight the pivotal role of rail infrastructure in driving economic prosperity and fostering sustainable growth in communities across the BNSF network.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.