BNSF
BNSF on Jan. 13 reported that 2025 was the “best year ever” for safety in the company’s 177-year history.
With approximately 35,000 employees and a 32,500-mile network, the Class I marked its “lowest ever employee injury frequency rate,” down 10% from the previous record set in 2023. BNSF also saw a 13% decrease in rail equipment incidents, which it said surpassed its 2025 target.
“I am so proud of what our teams were able to accomplish in 2025, marking significant progress toward our ultimate safety vision of operating a railroad free of accident and injury,” BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer said. “This milestone is proof our entire team remains united and dedicated to prioritizing safety. We are deeply grateful to every person who played a role in reaching this accomplishment, especially our team who is out there every day delivering for our customers.”
“This year marks an important milestone in our safety performance,” BNSF Vice President of Safety Chad Sundem commented. “It was earned through steadfast commitment, competence, and courage of our teammates throughout BNSF. I believe our results are a direct reflection of strong collaboration between labor and management, and a shared belief that safety is a value and guides every decision we make. I am proud of our teammates and grateful for the trust, discipline, and teamwork that made this historic year possible.”
Separately, BNSF in November achieved “record-breaking” terminal dwell for the 11th consecutive month.
NS
NS in 2025 donated more than $18.2 million to 385-plus organizations across its 22-state network. The funds support its “community impact pillars: sustainability, safety, workforce development, and thriving communities,” the railroad reported Jan. 13.
Following are highlights:
- Sustainability: NS said it “advanced equitable access” to parks and trails through a $250,000 donation to Trust for Public Land, bringing total support to $950,000 since 2022.
- Safety: NS invested in public safety, providing $2 million to the Atlanta Police Foundation’s Safest City Campaign, $100,000 to the Chicago Police Foundation and $1.6 million through its Safety First grant program.
- Workforce development: NS said it “expanded opportunity” by helping to open a welding training center at the City of Refuge; providing $100,000 through its Trades on Track scholarship program; and continuing its Thoroughbred Scholars program, which has awarded $1.4 million in scholarships to children of NS team members since 2002.
- Thriving communities: NS distributed $4.5 million in grants for housing, food and job training; $1 million to the Hampton Roads Community Foundation in support of 75 Virginia-based nonprofits; and targeted disaster relief and healthcare funding throughout 22 states.
According to the railroad, its employees also volunteered more than 7,200 hours with 143 organizations in 73 cities last year. Among them: HOPE Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity and Marine Toys for Tots.
“Our railroad is deeply connected to the communities we serve,” said Kristin Wong, Director of NS Foundation and Community Impact. “These investments reflect our long-term commitment to resilience, opportunity and helping families thrive.”
Separately, NS recently supported Warrior Met Coal’s Blue Creek Mine project with a $200 million investment. Also, Railway Age named NS EVP and COO John Orr as its 2026 Railroader of the Year. In Atlanta, site of the railroad’s headquarters as well as Inman Yard, a principal intermodal hub, Orr recently met with Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono to talk about his long career and the transformational work he’s doing at NS; watch the video here.
CSX
“Brothers Brian Kingman (engineer, 30 years) and Gary Kingman (conductor, 26.5 years) took their final CSX run together, honored with the ‘Spirit of Kingman’ tribute on their locomotive, CSXT 8400,” CSX reported via social media on Jan. 12. The railroad thanked both for their “decades of dedicated service” and congratulated them on their retirement.
In other news, CSX recently teamed with Genesee Valley Transportation and New York & Atlantic on a new rail move in New York State, and reported that its Columbus, Ohio, Mechanical Team achieved 1,500 days injury-free.
