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…
Our Blog
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…
Sustainability is Second Nature
At BNSF, we’re extending our environmental responsibility beyond daily operations. Our Engineering Services team is now shrinking our carbon footprint, from design through construction. The Alliance Intermodal Facility’s recent expansion in north Texas exemplifies our increased commitment to sustainability. At Alliance, we avoided 8,106 metric tons of CO2 emissions through sustainable choices, such as recycling…
Our Commitment to Safety
Ensuring the safety of our employees and the communities we serve is our top priority, which is why BNSF closely collaborates with first responders to prepare for any emergency. While the vast majority of hazardous material shipments arrive safely at their destinations (99.99%), preparedness training is critical in preventing environmental harm, should an incident occur.…
Katie Farmer Named Railroader of the Year
We are proud to announce that BNSF President and Chief Executive Officer Katie Farmer was awarded 2023’s Railroader of the Year by Railway Age. Farmer has more than 30 years of experience in the rail industry. In January 2021, she was appointed president and CEO of BNSF, making history as the first woman to hold…
BIG Community Outreach
BNSF is dedicated to maximizing opportunities in the High Desert through our transformative $1.5 billion Barstow International Gateway (BIG) project. Since the project’s announcement, we have been actively engaging with local communities to understand their priorities for the future and how the new intermodal rail facility can help support those goals. Through partnerships with the…
Trackathon Tackles Long-Term Sustainability
BNSF team members flexed their innovation muscles at the eighth annual Trackathon, a marathon-of-the-mind competition that showcases unique employee talent and inspires creativity across the company. The 2022 theme was sustainable business innovation. During the three-day event, BNSF teams came up with prototype technology solutions to address real business challenges. To date, our Trackathons have…
Our Commuter Rail Heroes
While we are best known for our freight services, BNSF also has a long and rich history of providing safe, convenient, economical, and environmentally friendly commuter rail service, dating back more than 150 years. Our suburban train service encompasses four metropolitan areas and currently runs 166 weekday commuter rail trains. We also proudly host Amtrak…
Historic Passenger Car to Become New Home
Team BNSF had the opportunity to transport a historic Northern Pacific passenger rail car along its alma mater route one final time. Northern Pacific was one of the nearly 400 major predecessor rail lines that are now part of the BNSF network. The car found a home in Ennis, Montana, where new owner Andy Bergman…