Intermodal Network Update for Friday, December 20, 2024

With the holidays fast approaching, this is our last network update in 2024. The bi-weekly reporting schedule will resume in January, with the next Network Update on Friday, January 3, 2025.

Wishing all our customers a safe and joyful holiday season!

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
BNSF operating teams continue to generate strong overall service performance on the network. For the second consecutive week, total weekly volume has surpassed the 200,000-unit mark as we approach the final days of the parcel peak season. On Saturday, velocity across our Southern Region reached the highest level since early January, and our operating teams achieved this while moving about 40,000 more units across our network. Overall velocity was higher than in November, and our average terminal dwell improved by 9.1% versus the prior week and 16.9% from the previous month, reflecting our strong network momentum. Additionally, our local service metric, which measures our timeliness in managing carload freight, has improved by over two percent versus the previous week and is currently averaging above 90%.

Earlier this week, train length restrictions were implemented in response to a winter storm impacting the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. This storm has produced high winds, sub-zero temperatures, and snowfall across parts of the Northern Corridor stretching from Montana to Minnesota. These restrictions, along with the application of distributed locomotive power, enhance train braking performance during cold weather conditions. The restrictions are anticipated to be lifted on Saturday as weather conditions improve.
 
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S OPERATING PLAN
The number of trains operating on BNSF track is typically lower over the Christmas and New Year's holidays due to reduced freight volume. BNSF's Intermodal holiday operating plan will adjust operations to account for this potential reduction in traffic. As a result, shipments from Tuesday, December 24, through Friday, January 3, 2025, may experience delays of approximately 24 to 48 hours. Please see the attached matrix for all hub hours during the holiday period. 

As a reminder, BNSF will add a standard $160 credit for every unit that outgates on a BNSF storage holiday as defined in BNSF’s Intermodal Rules and Policies Guide (located in the Rules and Publications section of our Customer Portal - must be logged in for viewing) from any BNSF-operated intermodal facility (Group 1 or 2). Storage credits may be accessed and applied to any unit at any BNSF facility via the Intermodal Storage Credit Tool in the Web Tools section of our Customer Portal. 

Customers are encouraged to prioritize the pick-up of units that have been unloaded post-holiday. Prompt pick-up will continue to help improve traffic flows and provide more capacity to process inbound shipments as quickly as possible.

Please click here for more information on the Intermodal Christmas and New Year’s Operating Plan. 
 
SERVICE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
Favorable operating conditions are expected across much of the network for the upcoming Christmas week. Midweek, a combination of rain and some snow is expected in the Midwest, and intermittent storms will bring the potential for heavy rain, mountain snow and gusty winds to parts of the West Coast this weekend and next week. As always, BNSF teams are monitoring conditions and are ready to respond quickly to any service disruptions. 
 
We thank you for your business and appreciate the opportunity to serve as your transportation service provider. We welcome your feedback and questions.