Industrial Products Network Update for Friday, May 24, 2024
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
BNSF operating teams are generating improved performance going into the Memorial Day holiday weekend. While frequent severe weather across the Plains and high winds along the Southern Transcon have caused some operational challenges over the past few weeks, we have generated some improvement this week in key service metrics. Average car velocity has improved from last week and continues its upward trend compared to April. Terminal Dwell has also improved from last week and has lowered nearly four percent from last month. Our local service compliance measure, while slightly lower on average, remains close to 90%.
On Wednesday morning, Union Pacific experienced a derailment on its Fort Worth Subdivision south of downtown Fort Worth, Texas. The derailment occurred at a heavily trafficked intersection and blocked BNSF’s main tracks, impacting all southbound rail traffic moving through Fort Worth. BNSF crews and resources were on the scene to assist Union Pacific in track restoration, and service was restored by Wednesday evening. BNSF personnel will remain active in the area to help expedite recovery, but customers should expect lingering delays as operations continue to normalize over the weekend.
MEMORIAL DAY OPERATING PLAN
Train service will not be curtailed due to the holiday; however, BNSF plans to minimize the number of yard, local and road-switch assignments at terminals on Monday, May 27, consistent with customer activity and volume demand. Connecting carriers who have reduced operations for the holiday may cause delays on interline traffic. Customer Support will maintain a limited staff on Memorial Day. Normal coverage will resume on Tuesday, May 28.
SERVICE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
A storm system moving across the South-Central U.S. is expected to remain active through the holiday weekend. Thunderstorms with heavy rains and high winds are expected to pose flash-flooding risks across eastern Texas, Arkansas and northern Mississippi today, but are expected to diminish overnight.
A warm weather pattern will periodically generate high winds across the desert Southwest through Sunday, while the rest of the network should experience favorable operation conditions.
BNSF operating teams will continue to monitor the areas of our network expected to experience inclement weather, particularly in areas prone to flooding, and are prepared to respond to any service disruptions.
We thank you for your business and appreciate the opportunity to serve as your transportation service provider. We welcome your feedback and questions.