UNIS logo

    BNSF Railway

    BNSF Railway: Largest Freight Railroad in the U.S., Connecting America’s Economy for 175 Years

    Revenue:$23.4B
    BNSF Railway logo
    BNSF Railway global carrier services and logistics operations

    Company Overview

    BNSF Railway is the largest freight railroad in the United States, operating a network of over 32,000 miles of track across the western two-thirds of the country. Formed in 1995 from the merger of Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroads, BNSF is a key transporter of intermodal freight, bulk cargo, and commodities such as coal, and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

    Key Leadership

    Executive Team:

    • CEO: Katie Farmer
    • CFO: Paul Bischler
    • COO: Matt Igoe

    Employee Demographics:

    • Global Workforce: 37,000

    Equipment & Infrastructure

    Specialized Equipment:

    • Locomotives: Operating an active fleet of over 7,400 locomotives, with 80% being high-horsepower units.
    • Freight Cars: Managing a fleet of over 85,000 freight cars, including covered hoppers, gondolas, open hoppers, flatcars, boxcars, refrigerated cars, tank cars, and automobile carriers.

    Technology Platforms:

    • Tideworks Intermodal Pro: Centralized terminal operating system providing real-time visibility and optimization of intermodal terminal operations, including planning, equipment dispatch, and workflow management

    Warehouses & Logistics Hubs

    Major Facilities:

    • Barstow International Gateway: Planned 4,500-acre integrated rail facility in Barstow, California, designed to streamline freight movement from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach across BNSF’s national network

    Certifications:

    • ISO 22163: Quality management system standard specifically developed for the rail industry, based on ISO 9001, and recognized as the main certification for railway operators, manufacturers, and suppliers.

    Operational Capabilities:

    • Car Velocity: Measures the average speed of railcars across the network
    • Terminal Dwell Time: Tracks the average time railcars spend at terminals
    • Local Service Adherence: Percentage of local service completed as scheduled
    warehouses and logistics hubs showcasing modern distribution centers, automated facilities, and supply chain infrastructure

    Global Locations & Network

    Extensive global network connecting businesses worldwide with reliable logistics solutions.

    Geographic Scope:

    BNSF Railway operates one of the largest freight rail networks in North America, spanning 32,500 route miles across 28 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces, and serving over 40 ports to connect domestic and international markets. Its scale of operations includes approximately 36,500 employees, 6,800 locomotives, and the movement of nearly 10 million carloads annually, making it a critical link in global supply chains.

    Strategic Hubs:

    • Fort Worth, USA: The Fort Worth railyard serves as BNSF Railway’s central operational hub, managing freight movement across the region with high-volume classification, intermodal operations, and specialized automotive handling, making it integral to both local and national logistics.
    • Barstow, USA: Barstow Yard is a major classification and intermodal hub in Southern California, processing large volumes of freight and serving as a key gateway for cargo moving between the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach and the national rail network.
    • Chicago, USA: BNSF’s Chicago facilities, including Cicero, Corwith, and Willow Springs, are critical intermodal terminals handling vast container traffic and connecting eastern and western rail corridors, making Chicago a pivotal interchange point for national freight distribution.
    • Kansas City, USA: Argentine Yard in Kansas City is a major classification yard, efficiently sorting and assembling freight trains for routes throughout the Midwest and beyond, supporting BNSF’s extensive network reach.
    • Memphis, USA: The Memphis intermodal and classification yards function as a strategic southern hub, facilitating the transfer and distribution of freight between the southeastern United States and national rail routes.
    • Alliance (Haslet), USA: The Alliance Yard near Fort Worth is a major intermodal and logistics center, supporting containerized freight movement and serving as a key link between rail and trucking operations in the region.
    • Los Angeles, USA: Hobart Yard in Los Angeles is one of the largest intermodal facilities on the West Coast, handling high volumes of international and domestic containers from the ports and distributing them across the BNSF network.
    • Seattle, USA: The Seattle International Gateway (SIG) Intermodal Facility is a primary hub for Pacific Northwest trade, managing containerized imports and exports between the Port of Seattle and inland destinations.
    • Oakland, USA: The Oakland International Gateway intermodal facility is a vital West Coast hub, processing containerized freight from the Port of Oakland and connecting it to national rail corridors.
    • Galesburg, USA: Galesburg Yard in Illinois is a major classification yard, playing a central role in sorting and assembling freight for routes across the Midwest and supporting efficient rail operations.

    Partnerships:

    BNSF Railway’s strategic partnerships and alliances include its Shortline Select Program with high-performing shortline railroads to improve service and drive growth, and a non-merger intermodal alliance with CSX to create a seamless coast-to-coast rail network through shared infrastructure and digital integration.

    Carrier Partners & Alliances

    Strategic partnerships and alliances that enhance our global reach and service capabilities.

    Strategic Partnerships:

    PartnerType
    CSXIntermodal Alliance
    J.B. HuntService Partner
    Port of Los AngelesService Partner
    Port of Long BeachService Partner
    Port of New York and New JerseyService Partner

    Service Portfolio

    Comprehensive range of logistics and transportation services tailored to meet diverse customer needs.

    Core Services:

    • Intermodal Freight Transportation: Movement of shipping containers and trailers by rail, offering seamless integration with truck and ocean carriers for efficient long-distance freight delivery across North America

    Value-Added Services:

    • Load and Ride Solutions (LARS): Provides expert guidance and support for safe loading and lading securement, reducing cargo damage and improving shipment safety and efficiency
    • Demurrage and Storage Services: Offers flexible options for storing railcars and managing demurrage, helping customers optimize inventory management and reduce supply chain costs

    Industry Reputation & News

    Recognition and achievements that demonstrate our commitment to excellence and innovation.

    Awards & Recognition:

    • Tracking to Zero Award: Recognizes state departments of transportation for excellence in grade crossing safety, specifically for averaging less than one grade crossing incident per one million BNSF train miles traveled.

    Recent Developments:

    • $3.8 Billion Capital Investment Plan for 2025: BNSF announced a $3.8 billion capital investment plan for 2025, with $2.84 billion allocated to maintenance and $535 million for expansion and efficiency projects, aiming to ensure a safe, reliable, and efficient rail network.

    Analysis & Future Outlook

    Strategic vision and future initiatives that will shape the next generation of logistics services.

    Strengths:

    • Extensive Rail Network and Market Leadership: BNSF operates one of the largest freight rail networks in the United States, providing critical connections across 28 states and leading in intermodal freight transportation.

    Weaknesses:

    • Aging Infrastructure: BNSF faces recurring disruptions and increased maintenance costs due to underinvestment in its aging rail infrastructure, which is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events.

    Opportunities:

    • Expansion of Intermodal Facilities: BNSF Railway’s capital investment plan includes major projects such as expanding the Cicero Intermodal Facility in Chicago and developing new intermodal facilities near Phoenix, Arizona, which can increase capacity and attract new business.

    Risks:

    • Climate Risks: Extreme weather events such as floods and tornadoes have disrupted BNSF’s infrastructure, causing derailments and costly repairs, and pose ongoing threats to operational continuity and long-term returns.

    Strategic Initiatives:

    • Capital Investment Plan 2025: BNSF is investing $3.8 billion in 2025 to maintain and expand its rail network, with $2.84 billion focused on maintenance (track, rail ties, infrastructure) and $535 million dedicated to expansion and efficiency projects, including intermodal facility upgrades and new line construction.