BNSF
Grading work at BNSF’s Winslow, Ariz., yard, located on the Class I’s Southern Transcon line connecting California with Chicago and points beyond, recently began to extend existing track by 1,100 feet and to build a new 6,700-foot lead track.
The work, which is being done as part of BNSF’s 2026 capital program, will also include adding 13 turnouts (or switches), seven of which will be “NX” turnouts, and upgrading five existing turnouts plus derails to the NX style.
“These turnouts can be remotely operated from a device like an iPad,” explained BNSF Manager of Engineering Seth Ogan. “With the NX turnout, a yard crew can line several switches from one location, plus they don’t have to physically throw the switch, lessening exposure to injury.”
Having the new and longer track will enable more efficient switching options from the east and west ends of the yard while trains perform work events and power modifications (adding or taking off locomotives), said BNSF Terminal Manager Brian Anderson.
“We’ll also have more capacity to process and fill more trains,” Anderson said. “Plus, there will be more yard fluidity so we can streamline arriving and departing trains with the powered NX switches. We’ll also be able to bring trains that need to be off the mainline into the yard, creating more mainline capacity.”
However, this project’s impact reaches far beyond just Winslow, according to General Director of Capacity Planning Paul Kuhn.
“Enhancing capabilities here allows BNSF to relocate disruptive mainline work away from locations further east on the Southern Transcon and concentrate it at a natural crew-change location,” Kuhn said. “The result will mean fewer relief crews, less locomotive repositioning and meaningful velocity improvements across the system.”
Currently, grading is under way, and the expansion work is expected to be completed by end of June. “When finished, the reduced train delay, increased mainline capacity and improved fueling capability at Winslow will mean we have more room to grow—so no taking it easy here,” BNSF said.
CN
In March, CN’s intermodal employees across the network celebrated one year injury-free, the Class I announced in a LinkedIn post.
“Different teams. Different terminals. Same core value,” BNSF CN said. From the first container move of the day to the last lift of the night, safety is how the work gets done. A milestone earned, and a shared mindset that keeps it going.”
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