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BNSF Responds to Ongoing Winter Weather Challenges


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 14 January 2017 - 02:00 PM

BNSF Service Advisory:

 

To: BNSF Customers

  01/13/2017

BNSF Responds to Ongoing Winter Weather Challenges - Significant Ice Storm to Impact Central Plains This Weekend
 

Operating conditions have remained extremely harsh across substantial portions of BNSF's Northern Corridor this week, which continues to negatively impact service performance in some areas. Another strong winter storm could create some additional disruptions this weekend as ice storm warnings are currently in effect for a large portion of the central Plains, including Kansas City and St. Louis, through Sunday night. With a quarter-inch or more of ice possible, BNSF has pre-treated key areas to the greatest extent possible, pre-positioned backup generators to critical locations that could be affected by a commercial power loss and reviewed winter action plans with various operations teams. We have also positioned additional locomotives to assist in moving train crews in response to road closures, or travel that is severely impacted, and we have additional personnel in reserve that are ready to assist with maintaining operations if necessary.

As we have reported, our operating crews have confronted an unrelenting wave of extreme winter weather, with frigid below-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall impacting many locations across our northern lines. Earlier this week, we experienced some service disruptions in the Pacific Northwest, including on our Seattle and Fallbridge Subdivisions, where record snowfall caused switch issues in several locations and impaired crew transportation. We also continue to address service disruptions in northern California resulting from heavy rainfall, which has caused several washouts. Our Gateway Subdivision, which runs between Klamath Falls, Oregon and Keddie, California, was forced out of service for nearly 36 hours earlier this week due to high water. Multiple washouts have also suspended service through other areas north of Sacramento. BNSF teams have been engaged in broad, coordinated efforts to reroute and detour traffic as much as possible to minimize delays caused by these outages.

The extreme cold, where temperatures have dropped to more than 25 degrees below zero in some locations, can create challenges for our trains' braking systems because of reduced air flow. To compensate for that reduction, rather than shortening train lengths, some trains must be equipped with distributed power, which creates two sources of air flow throughout a train. We have repositioned more than 100 locomotives from our South Region up to the North and will continue to reposition additional power as necessary. We have also temporarily deployed an additional 130 Train, Yard, and Engine (TYE) employees to several subdivisions across the North to further assist with freight operations.

BNSF has invested significant capital across our network, including across the North Region over the past few years, and we will continue to invest in future growth. Even with these investments, however, significant events will periodically occur that will disrupt the operation. When that happens, BNSF is committed to keeping customers informed about the situation, and we will be relentless in our efforts to quickly resolve the temporary service issues. If you have any questions regarding your shipment(s), please contact BNSF Customer Support at 1-888-428-2673 (select option 4, then option 3). We will provide customers with further updates on any major service interruptions.

 

 

 

 



#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 17 January 2017 - 08:58 PM

BNSF service advisory:
 

To: BNSF Customers

 

01/17/2017

Severe Winter Weather Creating Service Challenges in Pacific Northwest
 

Winter storm warnings are in effect for substantial portions of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and northwestern Montana through early Thursday as a powerful storm system impacts the Pacific Northwest. Significant snowfall is possible in locations along our Spokane and Kootenai River Subdivisions, which run between Whitefish, Mont. and Spokane, Wash. Some areas of central Washington, including Wenatchee and in the Yakima Valley, will receive a wintry mix of precipitation, with up to an inch of ice possible. The heaviest activity is expected this evening through early Wednesday morning. Flood watches are also in effect for coastal locations, including Seattle and Portland, with several inches of rain possible.

BNSF operations teams have activated winter action plans and are monitoring the conditions closely. We have deployed additional personnel and resources to manage our response to this storm, and we will implement procedures to minimize service disruptions as much as possible. BNSF crews are also ready to quickly respond to any washouts and the need for track repairs.

If you have questions regarding your shipment(s), please contact BNSF Customer Support at 1-888-428-2673 (select option 4, then option 3). We will continue to provide customers with further updates on any significant service interruptions.

 



#3 CNJRoss

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Posted 19 January 2017 - 07:11 PM

BNSF service advisory:
 

To: BNSF Customers

01/18/2017

Service Interruption on the Fallbridge Subdivision in Washington

BNSF is currently experiencing an operational impact due to numerous downed trees along a portion of our Fallbridge Subdivision, which runs between Pasco and Vancouver, Washington. Significant freezing rain in this area is causing heavy ice buildup on trees as well as road closures affecting crew transportation. This location impacts traffic to and from facilities in the Seattle and Portland areas. The estimated time for opening for the main tracks has not been determined.

While we have implemented procedures to re-route some trains, customers may experience delays on shipments moving through this corridor. BNSF will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available.

 






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