BNSF
BNSF recently reported its fifth lowest dwell month ever for November 2024, which was the best month for overall system dwell since May of 2020.
The Class I railroad’s operations teams’ efforts at its merchandise terminals led to several notable achievements, including, but not limited to:
- “All-time monthly dwell record for system’s entire north region (encompasses the Montana, Northwest, Twin Cities, Heartland and Powder River Divisions).
- “Overall hump yard dwell record, beating previous record in September of this year.
- “Monthly dwell records set in Barstow, California; Lincoln, Nebraska; Galesburg, Illinois; and Pasco, Washington.”
“I’m proud of our team’s collective focus to strengthen service across our network,” said BNSF Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Matt Igoe. “These accomplishments to drive greater efficiency and productivity while maintaining safe operations is a win/win for our employees and our customers, and I’m looking forward to building upon this success as we finish out the year and head into 2025.”
In related news, BNSF’s Southern California On-Dock (SCOD) operations surpassed 1.5 million lifts for 2024, setting a new annual record, according to a BNSF X post.
Last week, BNSF surpassed the previous annual record of 1,480,727 lifts, set back in 2017.
A look at the past four months’ all-time records with SoCal ports:
- November: 2nd best month on record.
- October: Best month on record.
- September: 3rd best month on record.
- August: 4th best month on record.
“We are proud of our successful collaboration with SCOD, and a big ‘hats off’ to our teams for continuing to break records safely,” BNSF wrote in the post.
NS
This year marks the golden anniversary of the Norfolk Southern Training Center (NSTC), a cornerstone of the Class I’s “commitment to safety, efficiency, and operational excellence.” For five decades, this esteemed facility, the Class I says, “has played a central role in the development and education of NS railroaders, providing a starting point for countless railroad careers and enabling our teams to perform their daily operations with confidence and care.”
Located in McDonough, Ga., the training center opened its doors in December 1974, heralding a new era in employee training and development. From its inception, the center was designed not just as a place to learn but as a hub for fostering a culture of safety and teamwork throughout the 22-state network, NS noted. Every railroader who has walked through its halls has carried forward the lessons learned, reinforcing the Class I’s “reputation as a leader in safe and efficient freight rail transportation.”
Over the years, the Class I says NSTC has evolved to “meet the needs of a changing workforce,” integrating cutting-edge technology and innovative training methods to prepare colleagues for the challenges of modern railroading. The training center has developed innovative approaches in the industry, such as a working signal park and leveraging virtual reality to simulate switch position for train movement. Additionally, the curriculum for all trainees spans a wide range of disciplines, including Maintenance of Way, Communication and Signals, Transportation, and safety protocols.
The NSTC has been the foundation for all operations, cultivating the skills and values that drive NS forward, the Class I noted. As the center celebrates its 50th anniversary, it stands as “a testament to NS’ unwavering commitment to its people. Looking ahead, the center is poised to continue its legacy, embracing innovation and sustainability to train the next generation of railroaders,” according to NS. “This milestone is not just a celebration of the center itself but of every individual who has contributed to its success.”
“We’re setting the standard for excellence as the first Class I railroad to adopt a consolidated and consistent approach to craft training. At the heart of the training center are the instructors and support staff in McDonough who have been instrumental in our success and inspiring our craft colleagues throughout the network. Their ongoing commitment, dedication, and professionalism creates an environment where safety is first and enables our strategic growth,” said NS Vice President Human Resources PC Bryant.
“NS extends its deepest gratitude to all who have been a part of the NSTC’s journey over the past 50 years. Together, we will continue to lead the freight rail industry for generations to come,” the Class I said.
UP
The Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter of UPVETS, a resource group for military veterans and interested employees, collected $80,000 in cash and more than 75,000 toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program, UP recently reported. The toys will be handed out later this month to an estimated 25,000 children in the Houston metropolitan area.
On Dec. 7, more than 200 people who helped with the toy drive, including volunteers and sponsors, took a one-hour tour of Houston aboard vintage passenger cars from UP’s Heritage Fleet that included Locomotive No. 1943, The Spirit, honoring the U.S. Armed Forces.
“We spend hundreds of hours each year working on this toy drive, starting in February when we begin planning fundraisers and recruiting sponsors. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s all worth it when we see the wrapping paper fly and the smile on the kids’ faces,” said Joe Mikulski, a UP locomotive engineer who oversees the toy drive with the help of his fellow UPVETS members.
Mikulski estimates UPVETS, along with volunteers from UP and the community, racked up more than 2,300 volunteer hours this year on the drive.
“We couldn’t do it without the support of Union Pacific and all the railroaders who give of their time to deliver boxes, collect toys and plan the logistics of the annual celebratory train ride,” said Mikulski.
The chapter began collecting toys for the Marine Corps’ program in 2019. In the first year, the group collected about 1,700 toys in 21 days. Since then, the UPVETS have had to invest in bigger and bigger toy bags, as their collections have steadily grown.
This year, they set out 158 collection boxes, and recruited about 30 corporate sponsors, many of whom launched toy drives within their own businesses. It takes a team of more than 20 volunteers to deliver and collect the boxes.
One notable addition to this year’s festivities was the military honoree. The Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter of UPVETS decided to honor one railroader/military veteran, with a ride on the Heritage Fleet.
The first winner in what will likely become an annual tradition was Jenkins Gbawar, a UP yardperson in Englewood Yard. Gbawar is a former U.S. Marine who was deployed four times to combat zones during the War on Terror.
He and his family were given the VIP treatment during Saturday’s train trip, including being the first aboard.
“Gbawar is one of those employees who you want to pair with younger employees, because he’s a great mentor with a great attitude,” said Brandon Vogel, Superintendent-Train Operations in Houston. “He has an exceptional service record, and he does amazing things for us.”
Vogel is a company sponsor with UPVETS and was active in this year’s toy drive.
