Safety is in our DNA at BNSF Railway. That’s no more evident than at our busy Hobart and Fresno, California, facilities, which continue to be models for both safety and efficiency. At the Hobart Intermodal facility in Los Angeles, our team of over 300 people handles more than a million lifts each year, continuing their…
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Switching Tracks
Anthony Taravella is living proof that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. At 62, he finally landed his dream job as a BNSF conductor at the Needles Terminal in California. His love for trains began in childhood, sparked by model trains and regular visits to the rail yard in Mount Morris, New York,…
Barstow Diesel Shop: Keeping CA Rolling
For over 140 years, Barstow, California, has thrived as a key rail hub near the Inland Empire, with the Barstow diesel shop playing a crucial role in keeping BNSF locomotives running smoothly. Since 1947, the shop teams have been essential to keeping our trains on track. When a train arrives, they perform inspections to identify…
Opportunity for a Lifetime
BNSF signal maintainer Gabriel Chavez loves his job. As a third-generation railroader, he witnessed the stable income and job security his father, a carman, enjoyed, and knew he wanted to carry on the family tradition. Based in Hanford, California, Chavez starts his day with a team conference call to discuss the day’s tasks and safety…
Weathering the Storm and Protecting Communities
Leadership in safety and operations is a result of our tested ability to respond and adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Last year, when historic flooding swept through the Bakersfield Subdivision by surprise and threatened the integrity of track between the Wasco and Elmo stations, BNSF engineers promptly acted to prevent catastrophe. Directed by a 24/7 command…
California Hub Sets Records for Efficiency and Safety
In California, BNSF is celebrating a banner year for safety, efficiency, and growth. The Los Angeles Hobart Intermodal Facility achieved a record on-time departure rate of 94% in 2023, alongside the safest year on record. California staff attribute the success to team execution and commitment to improvement, and significant investments in infrastructure. In addition, expansion…
Steam Locomotive Expert Inspires Rail Enthusiasts
John Mobley, a BNSF conductor and engineer in San Bernardino, California, is among the fewer than 100 individuals in the United States qualified to operate a steam locomotive. When not on duty, Mobley volunteers with the Southern California Railway Museum, where he can share his passion for steam engines. Operating a steam locomotive requires manual…
Driving Safety Innovation: Meet Edvard Tumbas
A 25-year BNSF employee, Edvard Tumbas, is instrumental in ensuring the reliability and innovation of the Positive Train Control (PTC) system, which plays a crucial role in safety and efficiency across the BNSF network. Tumbas serves as the senior PTC manager of Field Operations – Network Control Systems. He began his journey with PTC in…
A Railroading Oasis
Nestled within the Mojave Desert, Needles is an oasis for railroaders and railfans. The city was founded as a crew change point for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, a forerunner to one of our predecessor railways, the Santa Fe Railway. In the early 1900s, Needles served as a vital stopover that provided water for livestock,…
Driving Innovation in Rail Safety
BNSF is always looking for innovative ways to enhance safety on the rails. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC) to expand our Brake Health Effectiveness Program (BHE), which relies on new thermal detector technology to better monitor braking systems to maintain a safe rail network. As trains roll past, wayside…