What BNSF Railway is and what it does

BNSF Railway is one of the largest freight railroad companies in North America. It operates over 32,500 miles of track across the western two-thirds of the United States, plus parts of Canada and Mexico. BNSF moves freight — coal, grain, automobiles, chemicals, containers, and other cargo — from shippers to receivers, and it also runs Amtrak passenger trains on some of its routes under a separate agreement.

BNSF is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the investment company run by Warren Buffett. The railroad was formed in 1995 when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad. If you ship goods by rail, work for BNSF, or live near its tracks, understanding how the company operates and what services it offers can help you know what to expect and where to turn if you have a question or problem.

Key Takeaways

  • BNSF moves freight across 32,500 miles of track in the western United States, Canada, and Mexico, and operates some Amtrak passenger service.
  • If you ship cargo by rail, you contact BNSF directly or work through a freight broker or logistics company that arranges the shipment.
  • BNSF employees can access company benefits, safety training, and labor agreements through their union or HR department, depending on their job classification.
  • If you live near BNSF tracks, you can report safety hazards, blocked crossings, or noise complaints to the railroad's customer service line or the Federal Railroad Administration.
  • BNSF publishes schedules and service information online, and you can track shipments or request service through its website or by phone.

How to ship freight with BNSF

If you own a business that needs to move goods by rail, you can contact BNSF directly through its website or sales team to discuss your shipping needs. BNSF handles different types of cargo — unit trains of coal or grain, intermodal containers, automotive shipments, and hazardous materials — so the process depends on what you are shipping and how much volume you have.

Many shippers work through a freight broker or logistics company instead of calling BNSF directly. These intermediaries negotiate rates, arrange pickups and deliveries, and handle paperwork on behalf of the shipper. If you use a broker, they will quote you a price and handle the coordination with BNSF. If you contact BNSF directly, a sales representative will discuss your shipment size, origin, destination, and timeline, then provide a rate and service plan.

You can track your shipment through BNSF's online portal or by calling customer service. Delivery times vary widely depending on distance and the type of service — some shipments take days, others take weeks. BNSF publishes estimated transit times for major routes on its website.

Working for BNSF: jobs, pay, and benefits

BNSF employs over 30,000 people in positions ranging from locomotive engineers and conductors to maintenance workers, dispatchers, and office staff. Most operating employees — those who work on trains or in rail yards — are represented by labor unions, primarily the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Communications Union (TCU). Union contracts set wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions for these roles.

Non-union employees, such as managers, engineers, and administrative staff, receive benefits through BNSF's standard HR programs. The railroad offers health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and safety training. Specific benefits and pay rates depend on your job title, location, and seniority. You can find current job openings on BNSF's careers website, which lists positions, required qualifications, and how to submit a resume.

If you are a BNSF employee and have questions about your pay, benefits, scheduling, or working conditions, contact your union representative (if you are in a union job) or your HR department. Union contracts are public documents and are often posted on the union's website or available through your local union office.

Safety and regulatory oversight of BNSF operations

BNSF operates under strict federal safety rules set by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The FRA sets standards for track maintenance, train speed, crew hours, hazardous material handling, and crossing safety. BNSF must inspect its tracks regularly, maintain equipment to code, and report accidents and incidents to the FRA.

If you live near BNSF tracks or a rail yard, you may experience noise, vibration, or dust. If you witness a safety hazard — a damaged crossing, a derailment, a spill, or a train blocking a road crossing for an unreasonable time — you can report it to BNSF directly through its customer service line or to the FRA's Office of Safety Analysis. The FRA maintains a public database of railroad accidents and safety violations, which you can search online.

BNSF also works with local communities on grade crossing safety and quiet zones. If you are concerned about a specific crossing or noise issue, you can contact BNSF's public affairs office or your city or county transportation department, which may have agreements with the railroad about crossing maintenance or horn use.

Contacting BNSF for customer service or complaints

BNSF publishes a main customer service phone number and email address on its website. If you are a shipper with a question about your freight, call the customer service line to speak with a representative or check the status of your shipment online. Response times vary depending on the nature of your inquiry.

If you have a complaint — a shipment was damaged, a crossing was blocked, or you witnessed unsafe conduct — you can file a formal complaint with BNSF through its customer service department. Keep a record of the date, time, location, and details of the incident. If BNSF does not resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, you can escalate it to the FRA or file a complaint with your state's public utilities commission, which regulates some aspects of railroad operations.

For hazardous material spills or emergencies, call 911 first, then contact BNSF's emergency line. BNSF maintains a 24-hour emergency response team for incidents involving hazmat or train accidents.

Understanding BNSF's service areas and routes

BNSF's network spans from the Pacific Northwest to the Gulf Coast, and from Canada to Mexico. The railroad operates major corridors for coal (from Wyoming and Montana to power plants nationwide), grain (from the Midwest and Plains to ports and domestic markets), and containers (from West Coast ports inland). BNSF also operates regional and local service in many areas.

If you are considering shipping by rail, BNSF's website shows its service map and lists the types of cargo it handles in different regions. Not every location has direct BNSF service, so you may need to use a truck to reach a BNSF rail yard, then ship by rail for the long haul, then use another truck for final delivery. This is called intermodal service and is common in the freight industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I track a shipment I sent with BNSF?

You can track your shipment through BNSF's online tracking portal if you have a waybill or shipment number. If you do not have access to the portal, call BNSF customer service with your shipment details and they will provide you with an estimated delivery date and current location.

What should I do if a BNSF train is blocking a road crossing?

If a train is blocking a crossing for longer than a few minutes, note the time and the crossing location, then call BNSF's customer service line or the local police non-emergency number. Provide the crossing name or number and the time the train arrived. Do not try to go around the crossing or move the train yourself.

Can I work for BNSF without prior railroad experience?

Yes. BNSF hires people for entry-level positions and provides on-the-job training. Common entry roles include yard workers, maintenance helpers, and administrative positions. Check BNSF's careers website for current openings and minimum requirements, which vary by position.

Who do I contact if I see a hazardous material spill near BNSF tracks?

Call 911 when ready and provide the location and description of the spill. The emergency dispatcher will contact BNSF's hazmat response team. Do not approach the spill or attempt to clean it up yourself.

Does BNSF operate passenger trains?

BNSF owns and maintains the tracks used by Amtrak passenger trains on several routes, including the Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle) and the Southwest Chief (Chicago to Los Angeles). BNSF does not operate these trains directly — Amtrak does — but BNSF coordinates scheduling and track access.