BNSF News

PRB Coal Update

2007-12-06

BNSF Sets Record for Average Daily PRB Train Loadings

BNSF loaded a record average 54.1 coal trains per day in the Powder River Basin (PRB), including Wyoming and Montana mines, in November 2007, breaking the previous record of 52.4 trains per day set in September of this year, and well ahead of the 50.4 trains per day loaded in November 2006.

Favorable weather conditions and cooperation among BNSF, mines and utilities to load, unload and move trains promptly were all contributing factors to the record. Average daily PRB train loadings on BNSF in November, September and October of this year rank first, second and fourth, respectively, among all-time monthly loading records. (December 2006 was the third-best month for average daily train loadings.)

Year-to-date through November 30, 2007, BNSF has loaded a total daily average of 50.2 trains in the PRB, up roughly 1.4 percent from the 49.5 trains loaded through the same period in 2006.

Systemwide, BNSF has loaded a total of 266.5 million tons through November 30, 2007, 1.8 percent above the 2006 year-to-date total of 261.7 million tons.

Construction Projects Update

Current construction projects beyond the Joint Line will help improve the flow of loaded and empty coal trains, as well as other trains, throughout the BNSF network. For example, grading should be completed later this month for eight miles of new second main track between Seward and Tamora, Neb., near Lincoln, with track-laying to follow in 2008.

In the Southeast, BNSF is completing work on upgrades that will allow train speeds to increase on the sidings at Tours, Myrtle, Plantersville and Judge, Miss. The upgraded sidings at Tours and Myrtle were placed in service in September and October, respectively, and the Judge and Plantersville sidings are scheduled to go into service later this month.

New sidings are being constructed at Clifton, Ala., and Olive Branch, Miss. Track-laying on both sidings has been completed, and crews are completing ballasting and surfacing of the new sidings. Both sidings are scheduled to go into service in January of 2008.

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