Intermodal Network Update for Thursday, March 28, 2024
With the upcoming Good Friday holiday, we are delivering this Network Update earlier than scheduled. We will resume our regular biweekly schedule on Friday, April 12.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
BNSF operating teams are focused on maintaining positive performance momentum going into April. Earlier this week, a robust weather system moving through the network created some service challenges, with blizzard-like conditions across the Northern Corridor and high winds and storms along our Southern Transcon. Some traffic experienced delays due to high winds, as gusts of around 65 miles per hour were reported in New Mexico on Sunday.
Regarding our key service metrics, overall performance has increased week-over-week. Our local service compliance measure and average car velocity increased slightly compared to the prior week. Terminal dwell, while elevated, also improved by over two percent compared to the previous week.
As reported, interchange traffic designated to move into/out of our El Paso gateway experienced delays due to a derailment that occurred late Monday night in central New Mexico, approximately 76 miles south of Albuquerque. Service was restored by Wednesday, and interchange operations have since normalized. BNSF teams responded to a derailment last Friday morning on our Sand Hills Subdivision, which impacted both main tracks near Seneca, Nebraska, approximately 115 miles east of Alliance, Nebraska. The first main track was reopened Saturday afternoon, and service was restored to the second main track by Saturday evening. Normal traffic patterns have resumed in the area.
INTERMODAL UPDATE
We are seeing overall improvements in our intermodal facility fluidity with significant week over week improvement in our train loadings. This efficiency gain will enable reduced truck turn times in our facilities as additional parking capacity will allow for wheeled pickup to resume in most of our locations going into the weekend.
BNSF teams continue to address lingering congestion issues at our Memphis intermodal facility caused by recent severe weather events and wildfires across our Southern Transcon. Limited operations continue at our Harvard facility northwest of Memphis in Marion, Arkansas, with additional workforce during nights and weekends continuing to assist with demand and increase fluidity through the area.
SERVICE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
Favorable operating conditions are expected across much of the network during the upcoming week. No major outbreak of severe weather is anticipated at this time.
We thank you for your business and appreciate the opportunity to serve as your transportation service provider. We welcome your feedback and questions.