BNSF investment in Galesburg yard to boost efficiency, support growth
By SUSAN GREEN
Staff Writer
BNSF’s $3.6 billion dollar capital investment plan for 2026 will help us modernize infrastructure and enhance capacity across our 32,500-mile network. A key part of that plan is a major improvement project underway in Galesburg, Illinois, a location central to BNSF operations since the 1850s.
Located about 200 miles southwest of Chicago, Galesburg is the second-largest hump yard on BNSF’s system and an essential hub for sorting and classifying railcars. To increase efficiency and support long-term growth, we are adding a second hump lead track – a significant enhancement that will increase switching capacity and improve overall terminal performance.
A hump yard uses gravity to sort railcars. Locomotives push railcars up a small, engineered hill – called the hump – where they are then uncoupled. From the crest, each car rolls downhill into the classification tracks. Automated retarders control the speed, and computer-guided switches route each car to the correct track based on its destination. This process allows crews to quickly build new outbound trains made up of cars from multiple origins.
Galesburg’s strategic location, combined with its yard capacity, makes it one of BNSF’s most important merchandise terminals.
“With Chicago serving as the nation’s largest rail interchange hub, Galesburg provides essential classification support for traffic moving to and from interchange partners,” said Felicia Mosenfelder, Corridor Superintendent for our Chicago Division. “The Galesburg yard’s performance is vital to sustaining fluid, dependable operations systemwide.”
Currently, Galesburg’s hump is served by a single lead track. After an inbound train arrives into a receiving track, the cars are pulled to the hump lead to then be pushed over the hump to be sorted based on next destination.
“This capital project will add a second parallel hump lead that will reduce the time between processing trains over the hump, because a second inbound train can be readied on the lead while the prior train is being pushed over the hump crest,” explained Craig Rasmussen, assistant vice president of engineering services & structures.
In addition, how the yard is configured today results in tracks on the east side of the yard being unable to directly reach the hump crest, Rasmussen added. “The second lead will connect into these tracks, allowing operational flexibility with more tracks available to arriving inbound trains.”
Once completed, the upgraded yard will be able to process approximately three additional trains per day or about 300 cars. This added capacity will meaningfully improve terminal fluidity and contribute to more consistent merchandise service across the BNSF network.
“This expansion enhances terminal reliability and supports more predictable schedules for our customers, contributing to steadier transit times and overall service dependability,” Mosenfelder added.
Currently the area is being graded and is expected to be ready for track installation in May.
Beyond the yard, a BNSF certified site is available southeast of Galesburg. This industrial park offers convenient access to both BNSF’s mainline and nearby highway infrastructure. The site, along with improvements at the yard, positions the region for continued economic and customer growth.
For nearly two centuries, BNSF, its predecessors and Galesburg have been inextricably tied since the settlement was founded in 1836. The city became a major railroad center not long after the first train passed through in December 1854 – and we continue the tradition of mutual growth with this latest expansion project.
