2025 in review: At BNSF, we make every day, mile and ride count
By EUNICE ARCHILA
Staff Writer
It’s been a year defined by progress, resilience and results at BNSF. Across our network, teams focused on what matters most: strengthening velocity, lowering dwell, maintaining industry-leading safety and delivering the service our customers depend on. From major infrastructure recovery to new service offerings and technology advancements, 2025 showcased how we continue to move freight safely and efficiently across North America. And we were even featured in a popular TV show along the way.
Here's a chronological look at the highlights of BNSF’s year, starting at the beginning:
bnsf | tech ramps up innovation
Technology continued to play a key role in driving safety and efficiency. In 2025, BNSF launched bnsf | tech, a new division focused on developing and enhancing technology solutions in-house. The shift supports a broader technology transformation as we move away from off-the-shelf software toward custom-built systems. Progressive Railroading featured the initiative in its October issue, highlighting insights from Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Hari Govind.
Ready for our closeup! BNSF featured in “1923”
Hollywood called, and BNSF answered! We made an appearance on the small screen, helping Paramount+ take us back in time in Taylor Sheridan’s hit show "1923," a prequel to the “Yellowstone” series. Season two featured BNSF tracks, a major scene at our Butte, Montana depot, and a gorgeous steam locomotive painted to look just like one from our predecessor railroad Northern Pacific.
Impressive comeback: Recovering from major floods
We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we respond. BNSF crews worked quickly and safely to restore rail service after major flooding in the South and Midwest this past spring. In one location, teams replaced a washed-out bridge and returned the network to operational status in just five days.
First Mile/Last Mile team focuses on carload volume
Meeting our customers’ expectations is BNSF’s mission. This year, we announced the creation of our First Mile/Last Mile team, combining the Shortline Development and Industrial Products Business Development teams. They’re dedicated to growing carload volumes and supporting customers across the network.
Partnership drives enhanced PNW-Chicago service
Partnerships continued to drive improvements in service. In collaboration with Norfolk Southern and the Northwest Seaport Alliance, BNSF launched a faster inland point intermodal service from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago and beyond. The redesigned train plan reduces dock dwell to less than two days and enables a seamless handoff along BNSF’s Northern Transcon route. Total transit time from ship to Chicago is now six days, the fastest from any Pacific Northwest gateway in North America.
Quantum model now includes Mexico
That focus on collaboration extends beyond U.S. borders. BNSF, J.B. Hunt and GMXT launched Quantum de México, expanding the Quantum service model to support time-sensitive freight moving between the United States and Mexico.
A faster connection from LA to Houston
In July, BNSF announced a new expedited intermodal service from LA to Houston. The third-day service offers speed and consistency comparable to over-the-road transportation, expanding market reach and strengthening connections between the two major metro areas.
Investing in growth: BNSF network gains new and upgraded facilities
Intermodal growth was also marked by new and expanded facilities. In July, BNSF opened a new intermodal terminal in Salt Lake City, Utah, in coordination with Patriot Rail and the Utah Inland Port Authority. Designed to meet current demand while supporting long-term growth, the facility strengthens Utah’s role in the regional supply chain.
It didn’t stop there. BNSF partnered with Hobby Lobby to open a 45-acre intermodal facility supporting freight movement from West Coast ports to Hobby Lobby distribution centers in Oklahoma City. The shift to rail improves efficiency and has the potential to reduce highway congestion along Interstate 35.
In Chicago, the Cicero Intermodal Facility neared completion of the final phase of a multiyear transformation, further enhancing capacity in one of the nation’s busiest freight hubs.
Smooth move: Seamless coast-to-coast intermodal service with CSX
In August, we launched a partnership with CSX, introducing a seamless coast-to-coast intermodal solution. Delivering greater flexibility, efficiency and value for customers, the new service streamlines the supply chain across the nation.
Breaking records by beating dwell, boosting lifts
Operational excellence delivered measurable results throughout the year. BNSF teams knocked it out of the park with historically low dwell at our facilities month after month! At time of writing, our teams achieved record monthly dwell reductions for the first 11 months of the year. Dwell is the average time a railcar spends in a terminal before it continues toward its destination. The less time a train dwells at a terminal, the better. This wouldn’t be possible without the determination and focus of our teams across the network.
We also reached a milestone for volume at our Southern California On-Dock (SCOD) facilities at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. On Dec. 3, BNSF surpassed the annual record set in 2024 with 1,615,156 lifts. That’s a lot of moving freight!
As the year ends, the progress in service and capacity enhancements made across BNSF’s network reflect the dedication of employees and partners working together to deliver safe, reliable transportation. Every mile, every move and every day continue to count. Thank you to our teams for everything you do to meet our customers’ expectations, and thank you to our customers for relying on BNSF to move your freight. Here’s to a safe, successful year in 2026.
