BNSF news release:
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, Oct. 20, 2016 – BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) today named Burlington Junction Railway (BJRY) its 2016 Shortline of the Year at its annual Shortline Conference. BJRY was recognized by BNSF for its dedication to promoting safety initiatives, customer relationships and growth opportunities. Since the formation of BJRY in 1985, the railroad has not had a single FRA reportable injury.
“As a company who prioritizes safety, we wanted to recognize a fellow railroad who exemplifies what it means to be safe,” said Merril Lieb, assistant vice president, BNSF Shortline Development.
Headquartered in Burlington, Iowa, BJRY operates out of eight different locations throughout Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, moving approximately 15,000 carloads annually. BJRY ships commodities such as frac sand, lumber, tallow, resin and frozen foods. The shortline’s major successes in 2015 included moving 100 frac sand unit trains, as well as building a new 2,000 foot stretch of interchange track in Quincy, Ill. By working with BNSF, BJRY volumes grew eight percent in 2015, despite the current difficulties in a soft freight rail market.
BJRY’s safety record and growth investments are direct examples of the benefits that result from shortlines striving to be injury free, to invest in the future and to focus on opportunities that will lead to mutual success with BNSF.
“Our success is due to us having the best employees of any operation. Customers constantly report that our employees genuinely care about their problems and concerns. This award is a credit to them and their dedication to our railroad,” said Bob Wingate, general manager, BJRY.
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