BNSF
“BNSF operating teams generated improved performance metrics this week [week of Sept. 8] while confronting service challenges from Hurricane Francine, which made landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday evening,“ the Class I railroad wrote in a Sept. 13 customer notification. “Although Francine was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved inland, heavy rains, power outages and flooding impacted the area. BNSF teams pre-positioned track equipment and supplies, including generators and fuel tanks in advance of the storm to aid in service response and recovery efforts. Our temporary permit embargo issued on Tuesday [Sept. 10] affecting all traffic originating or destined to move through the area was canceled last night [Sept. 12]. Traffic moving through the region should continue to normalize in the coming days.”
Regarding key service metrics (see chart, top), BNSF reported that overall car velocity has improved by more than 6% from August. “For the past two weeks, average car velocity has been above the 200-mile-per-day mark for the first time this year,” it said in the customer notification. “Terminal dwell, at the lowest weekly average this year, has improved 9% from the previous week and 14% from last month. Our local service compliance, which measures our efficiency in handling carload freight, is over 90% and has improved from last week and month. Volumes, which have been trending upwards, were down slightly compared to the prior week, reflecting the Labor Day holiday.”
The railroad noted that it remains focused on “maintaining positive performance momentum throughout fall harvest and as we prepare for the peak holiday shipping season.” Preparations, it said, include “completing track expansion projects and our main line maintenance projects on key routes.” BNSF said it is “well prepared to head into peak shipping season,” due to the efforts of its engineering crews and operating teams. “Favorable operating conditions are expected across much of the BNSF [32,500 route-mile] network during the upcoming week, and no major outbreaks of severe weather are currently anticipated,” the railroad reported.
CSX
CSX recently worked with the First Responders Children’s Foundation to support National Night Out events across its 20,000 route-mile network in the eastern half of the United States, and the Military Child Education Coalition to support military families and promote early literacy.
CSX and the First Responders Children’s Foundation have collaborated since 2018 to support the children of first responders through scholarships, financial assistance grants, and bereavement aid, the railroad reported Sept. 16. Last month, they supported more than 30 National Night Out events (see video above). “This annual initiative is designed to improve the relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, promoting positive police-community partnerships,” according to the Class I railroad.
CSX Police aimed to build meaningful connections with residents by providing safety information and resources and helping to ensure that there were engaging activities to take part in, according to the railroad. Additionally, more than 15,000 toys were distributed.
CSX also teamed with the Military Child Education Coalition to promote early literacy among military families and support educational growth through family engagement. On Aug. 27, the Class I joined forces with its newest community partner for the kickoff of the “Tell Me A Story” reading event at Chimney Lakes Elementary in Jacksonville, Fla. (see video above).
During the event, CSX Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Sean Pelkey and several other railroad employees delighted students by reading aloud and surprising families with copies of the featured book. They also facilitated guided discussion groups to help “families learn how to use stories as a tool for meaningful discussions that enhance student learning,” CSX said.
