Welcome to Friends of BNSF!

If any of the following describes you, then this might be just the website for you:

  • You want to know more about how BNSF contributes to our way of life;
  • You or a family member works at BNSF;
  • You or a family member has retired from BNSF or one of its predecessor companies;
  • You want to explore the rich history of BNSF;
  • Or, you just flat out love trains!

From historic photos and videos to a library of resources about BNSF to free downloadables like wallpaper and ringtones, we've got plenty for you to check out. Take a look at the sample stories below. Then, join the site.




BNSF employee uses artistic talent to promote safety on the job

Posted on : Tuesday 18th June 2013

Carman Darryl Woods is always imagining. Whether he’s crossing the tracks in the Argentine Yard (Kansas City, Kan.,) to inspect a train, repairing a damaged freight car or operating heavy equipment, he paints a picture in his mind of what might happen were he to lose focus. The images are not ones he likes to consider but they help him maintain concentration at all times.

 

“Whether I’m walking outside or driving a truck, I think about what bad that might happen if I lose focus. I love my family and friends and want to go home to them,” says Woods, who in his 20-year career has an injury-free record.

 

A mentor to apprentices, Woods shares this lesson, offering various scenarios for them to consider, including what it means to work at night, in blinding blizzards and other conditions that can easily distract.

 

“The first thing I ask them is ‘Do you have a family?’ And then we talk about what can happen if they don’t do a job safely. Working second shift [3 p.m. to 11 p.m.] they need to remember to be even more vigilant. Darkness, especially with rain or snow, is not to be fooled with on the railroad.”

 

Woods’ imagery doesn’t end in the yard. An accomplished artist, he has left a permanent safety message for anyone who enters the Mechanical Training Room where he has painted murals covering the walls, from floor to ceiling. Inspired to show the vastness of the work that carmen do, his artwork depicts freight car repair, maintenance and re-railing operations -- all illustrating the practices and equipment needed to do the jobs correctly and safely.

 

The project took months, beginning last January when the local safety committee asked Woods to consider the job. His only direction was “paint what we do.” After two rounds of sketches, he spent more than 60 hours meticulously painting, ensuring every last detail was accurate.

 

“The railroad provided the supplies, and everyone around here supported me throughout the process,” says Woods, who has previously used his talents elsewhere in the community. Among his many volunteer projects, he has donated signed drawings for raffles supporting charitable organizations and sketched for children on board the local holiday train that provides rides to kids who are in shelters and temporary homes. He also draws caricatures during the Kansas Division’s Employee Appreciation Day for BNSF families.

 

“I was raised by a family of givers,” Woods says. “My talent is for drawing. I use it to make kids happy and to help get the safety message across to my co-workers.”

 

Darryl Woods recently received the 2013 BNSF Mechanical Department Safety Employee of the Year award for his efforts in promoting a safe work environment.

 

 

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BNSF employee uses artistic talent to promote safety on the job

Ponder Volunteer Fire Department receives BNSF grant

Posted on : Wednesday 12th June 2013

Representatives from the Ponder Volunteer Fire Department accept their grant from BNSF’s Mike Pagel.  L-R: Charlie Williams (Chief, PVFD), Andrew Economedes (Assistant Chief, PVFD), Mike Pagel (Marketing Manager, Marketing Support, BNSF), and Cole Spann (Firefighter, PVFD)


After five years of planning, the Ponder Volunteer Fire Department has opened the doors of its 9,600 square-foot new fire station. This would not have been possible without the aid of several organizations, including the BNSF Railway Foundation.


The Foundation has assisted non-profit and government organizations in areas along its rail lines since 1996 when the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroads merged to form what is now known as BNSF Railway.


“The BNSF Railway Foundation supports improvements in the quality of life in the communities where we operate,” said Joseph Faust, regional director, Corporate Relations. “This is where our employees and their families live, work, and volunteer. It is through grants such as this that we affirm our commitment to these communities.”


Assistant Chief Andrew Economedes of the Ponder VFD expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the building.


“We were extremely fortunate to have the support of our community and corporations such as BNSF. As a result, we were able to use our money to construct the station exactly as we needed it.”


According to Economedes, the funds donated by BNSF have been used to purchase a back-up generator for the station to keep the facility running in the event of a power loss.


Working on a volunteer, non-profit basis, the Ponder VFD is dedicated to providing 24/7 emergency attention for those living within its 68-square-mile service area. The organization, established in 1937, has grown from two members and one truck to a roster of six trucks and 19 current members.


All facilities and equipment the organization owns has been purchased through fundraising efforts and donations.


“On behalf of the Ponder Volunteer Fire Department, I can't thank BNSF enough for their wonderful and generous grant award,” Economedes said.


Ponder’s new fire station is equipped with living areas, a kitchen, offices, and a community room.


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Ponder Volunteer Fire Department receives BNSF grant

BNSF Special kicks off in New Mexico

Posted on : Wednesday 12th June 2013


The 2013 BNSF Special officially kicked off on June 6 in Gallup, N.M., the first stop on a schedule that includes 11 cities in New Mexico, Arizona and California.


The Special, a unique passenger train that features several BNSF vintage railcars, will travel 8,300 miles, ending June 25 in San Bernardino, Calif. The train visits a different region of the railroad each year, and employees who live and work in that region are invited to ride, along with up to three family members. Each round-trip excursion lasts about three hours, and multiple trips are offered in each community.


“This is a much-anticipated trip for employees and their families,” said Joe Faust, regional director, Public Affairs, who coordinates the annual tour. “Our goal is to provide a memorable experience for everyone and to thank our employees for their contributions to BNSF’s success."


In addition to employees and their families, special guests will include members of The Boys & Girls Clubs and Big Brothers Big Sisters. These organizations will receive a total of six grants in five communities from the BNSF Railway Foundation. At various locations, elected officials and other community leaders will also participate in special events.


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BNSF Special kicks off in New Mexico

BNSF honored for clean air technology developments in Southern California

Posted on : Wednesday 12th June 2013

   


BNSF received the 2013 Innovation Breath of Life Award from BREATHE LA for exemplary work on clean air initiatives and technological advances to reduce emissions.


BREATHE LA, founded in 1903, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean air and healthy lungs through research, education, and technology.


According to BREATHE LA, the Breath of Life Awards serve to “recognize environmental standards and emissions reduction efforts to ensure that our community is no longer disproportionally impacted by pollution generated by the high volume of goods movement.”


BNSF is being honored for its leadership in hybrid energy options, research into liquefied natural gas, and implementation of wide-span electric cranes.


“At BNSF, we take a great deal of pride in our environmental stewardship,” said John Lovenburg, BNSF vice president, Environmental. “We are honored to be recognized with this award for our efforts to reduce emissions while moving the nation’s freight.”


Since 2000, BNSF has purchased 3,000 new locomotives and has remanufactured 2,400 existing locomotives. These investments, along with the installation of idle-control technology, have resulted in a significant decrease in emissions and better fuel efficiency.


Later this year, BNSF will test liquefied natural gas as fuel in locomotives in a variety of weather and grade conditions. The use of natural gas as a transportation fuel results in the emission of fewer greenhouse gases and particulates than diesel fuel. “It’s a sustainability win-win,” said Lovenburg. “This is an exciting opportunity that is generating interest across the railroad industry.”


Electric wide-span cranes have been installed in three BNSF Intermodal facilities across the country, with a fourth planned in the L.A. area for the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) project. These cranes do not produce any local emissions and generate energy when the cranes are lowered.


BNSF has also tested experimental hydrogen fuel cell locomotive technology, which yields primarily water vapors as emissions. The venture previously developed a successful 2,000 horsepower test. The development team is now expanding the test locomotive with a second generation fuel cell and upgraded control systems.


“Locomotives are already three times more fuel efficient than transport by trucks. Our efforts to green our fleet are investments that push the envelope of what is already the most sustainable option,” said Lovenburg.


About the photo: LaDonna DiCamillo, executive director, BNSF State Government Affairs, accepts the BREATHE LA award from David Arian, commissioner of the Port of Los Angeles Harbor.


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BNSF honored for clean air technology developments in Southern California

BNSF gears up for first crude unit trains from New Mexico

Posted on : Wednesday 12th June 2013

BNSF will begin shipping crude oil in unit trains from New Mexico for the first time later this year, following completion of expansion work at a transload facility in Carlsbad, N.M.


Improvements to the existing crude oil facility, owned by Cetane Energy LLC, include rail expansion to accommodate unit train loading, additional railcar-loading stations and a long-term crude-oil gathering system from local producers.


Once the improvements are complete by early fall, BNSF expects to haul a minimum of 100 cars – about 70,000 barrels – of crude oil per week from the Carlsbad facility to a new crude oil terminal in New Orleans, owned and operated by Murex LLC. According to a recent announcement by Murex and Cetane, the companies have increased crude oil storage capacity by 40,000 barrels and added 12 tank truck unloading stations and additional custody transfer meters at Carlsbad during the past year. Also under way is planned capital work adding 20,000 feet of track.


"We look forward to working with Murex and Cetane to provide unit-train service out of New Mexico," said Dave Garin, BNSF group vice president, Industrial Products, in a prepared statement. "Today, rail is providing a more flexible, long-term, and economical option to ship crude oil to destination markets throughout the East, West and Gulf coasts, and along the Mississippi River."


"We have worked closely with BNSF Railway, and the Southwest Railroad [a connecting shortline] to ensure that our rail facility will be absolutely state of the art. We have made significant improvements over the past year and look forward to the commencement of unit train service at Cetane," said Robert Wright, president of Murex LLC, in a news release.


BNSF plans to continue expanding its presence in New Mexico and the Permian Basin. In March 2013, Rangeland announced plans for facilities near Loving, N.M., that will also be served by BNSF.


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BNSF gears up for first crude unit trains from New Mexico

Additional commuter route offered by BNSF in the wake of Skagit River Bridge collapse

Posted on : Thursday 6th June 2013

On May 23, the Skagit River Bridge near Burlington, Wash., collapsed after a vehicle carrying an oversized load struck one of the supporting steel trusses.


Because the accident occurred in the late evening, the bridge had very little traffic at the time of the collapse. Only two other vehicles fell into the river and, fortunately, no deaths resulted. The 58-year-old bridge typically carried 71,000 vehicles per day and served as a major connection along Interstate 5 from Seattle to the northern parts of Washington.


The loss of the Skagit Bridge has caused travel delays and detours for thousands of commuters who used this route, and the bridge outage is expected to last until September while a replacement bridge is under construction.


To assist commuters and other area residents, BNSF quickly stepped up and has worked to add another Amtrak round-trip train to the schedule between Bellingham and Seattle over an existing rail bridge spanning the Skagit River.


BNSF owns the tracks on the rail bridge, which have been leased for commuter use.


"The bridge collapse has created a highly difficult and unusual situation for those having to travel the I-5 corridor and calls for extraordinary measures to temporarily add additional service," said Mark Schulze, BNSF vice president, Safety, Training and Operations Support. "We will do our best to accommodate the additional traffic and we're glad to do it."


In 2012, the commuter routes on BNSF-owned track averaged 11,500 customers per day in the Seattle area.


The Washington State Department of Transportation and Amtrak have been notified of the additional service offer and an updated schedule will soon be published.


A permanent bridge over the Skagit River is scheduled to be built by mid-September.

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Additional commuter route offered by BNSF in the wake of Skagit River Bridge collapse