BNSF Railway

Nebraska officials want answers on blocked rail crossings

A photograph of a train at a railroad crossing.

Nebraska officials are preparing to ask BNSF (NYSE: BRK), Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) and the Nebraska Central Railroad to take more action against blocked highway-rail grade crossings in Grand Island in Hall County.

The transportation department within the Nebraska Public Service Commission plans to file a formal complaint against the three railroads for violating Commission Rule 002.09D. State officials will give the railroads 20 days to respond before taking any additional action.

The filing...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/nebraska-officials-want-answers-on-blocked-rail-crossings

Labor union presses railroads on additional coronavirus measures

A photograph of two locomotive engines. Two men are standing in front of the locomotives.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), a U.S. rail labor union affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, wants the freight railroads to privately mandate the testing and tracing of the COVID-19 virus among employees after the recent deaths of several members.

“The pandemic is not slowing nationally. Numbers are rising and the death toll is increasing. We understand that train service must continue. We remain willing — as always — to work to that goal,”...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/labor-union-presses-railroads-on-additional-coronavirus-measures

Federal court upholds ruling in favor of injured former BNSF employee

A photograph of a train traveling through a desert field. There is a mountain range in the distance behind the train.

A federal appeals court upheld a verdict allowing a former BNSF employee to be compensated $3.1 million for an unlawful termination and workplace-related injuries.

In a June 22 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld an April 2019 ruling that enabled former BNSF conductor Zachary Wooten to receive compensatory damages, lost wages, punitive damages and front pay from BNSF (NYSE: BRK). The total compensation equaled about $3.1 million, according to court documents and a Monday...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/federal-court-upholds-ruling-in-favor-of-injured-former-bnsf-employee

CBP finds 48 alleged stowaways in BNSF, UP trains at border

A photograph of people waiting in a long line inside a hallway.

Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently apprehended 48 people who allegedly sought to cross the U.S. border illegally from Mexico as stowaways on auto hauler rail cars operated by BNSF (NYSE: BRK) and Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP).

The incidents occurred between last Thursday and Saturday at the El Paso, Texas, port of entry.

In one incident on Thursday, CBP officers processing a northbound train at a Union Pacific (UP) rail crossing discovered 13 alleged stowaways in an auto...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cbp-finds-48-alleged-stowaways-in-bnsf-up-trains-at-border

BNSF checks for track damage

A photograph of a freight train locomotive. In the background is a mountain range in the desert.

U.S. freight railroads are watching how tropical depression Cristobal might affect operations as it moves inland.

The storm made landfall near Grand Isle, Louisiana, late Sunday evening and is expected to travel up the Mississippi River. Area flooding could potentially disrupt rail operations temporarily.  

“Now that Cristobal is north of BNSF tracks in Louisiana, our maintenance-of-way crews are beginning inspections to ensure there is no damage. We are in ongoing discussions with local...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/bnsf-checks-for-track-damage

BNSF’s first-quarter net earnings slip on lower revenues and carload volumes

A photograph of a train locomotive on a train track. Behind it are skyscraper buildings.

BNSF’s (NYSE: BRK) first-quarter net profit fell 5% amid a 6% decline in revenue, according to Berkshire Hathaway, BNSF’s parent company.

BNSF’s net earnings for the first quarter of 2020 were $1.19 billion, compared with $1.25 billion in the first quarter of 2019, Berkshire Hathaway said on May 2. Meanwhile, operating income rose 2% to $1.82 billion, compared with $1.78 billion in the first quarter of 2019, BNSF said on May 4. The western U.S. railroad confirmed today the results laid out this...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/bnsfs-first-quarter-net-earnings-slip-on-lower-revenues-and-carload-volumes

Commentary: When will PSR-driven volume and service growth emerge?

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates. 

This week’s strategic question is “What are the bold new benefits shippers can expect now that the freight railways are super-efficient?”

It is May, and freight carriers – including the railroads – have issued their first quarter 2020 report cards. Simultaneously, it is a time of considerable economic uncertainty.

Previously in such crises, certain companies and...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/commentary:-when-will-psr-driven-volume-and-service-growth-emerge?

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