Agricultural Products Network Update for Wednesday, November 22, 2023
With the upcoming Thanksgiving and the Day after Thanksgiving holidays, we are delivering this Network Update earlier than scheduled. We will resume our normal biweekly schedule on Friday, December 8.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
The BNSF network remains in solid condition as we head into the holiday weekend and peak shipping season. Car velocity decreased this week versus the prior week but remains above the average reported for October. Terminal dwell increased from the previous week, while our local service compliance measure held above 91 percent.
As reported, a derailment occurred on our New Westminster Subdivision near White Rock, British Columbia, south of Vancouver, late Sunday afternoon. Service was restored Tuesday morning, and train flows through the area are normalizing, with continued improvement expected through the holiday.
THANKSGIVING OPERATING PLAN
Shuttle Train Service
BNSF’s Thanksgiving shuttle holiday will be 12 p.m., Wednesday, November 22, through 6 a.m., Friday, November 24. Impacted customers may request to move official spot times:
Empty Shuttles
Customers with empty trains arriving at the loading facility after 12 p.m., Wednesday, November 22, may elect to move their official spot time to 6 a.m., Friday, November 24. During this time frame, trains may be loaded if desired.
Loaded Shuttles
Customers with loaded trains arriving at an unload facility after 12 p.m., Wednesday, November 22, may elect to move their official spot time to 6 a.m., Friday, November 24. During this time frame, trains may be unloaded if desired.
Whether empty or loaded, customers who elect to move their spot time must contact BNSF Grain Operations at least eight hours in advance and advise of their intentions for train, power and crew planning purposes. There is no allowance beyond the time frame specified. Origination Efficiency Payment (OEP) or Destination Efficiency Payment (DEP) will be lost if customer(s) elect to operate outside of this allowance. Please refer to Demurrage Tariff 6004-C to review the free time and charges for Thanksgiving.
Carload Train Service
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 during the holiday consistent with customer activity and volume demand. Connecting carriers who have reduced operations for the holiday may cause delays on interline traffic.
Customer Support and Grain Operations will maintain a limited staff on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, November 24. Normal coverage will resume on Saturday, November 25.
SERVICE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
Winter weather watches and advisories are in effect over Idaho, Wyoming and western Montana. This arctic cold front is expected to bring moderate to heavy snow through Thanksgiving as it moves southward into Colorado and across the Plains on Friday. BNSF teams are prepared and ready to respond to weather-related service challenges. Elsewhere across the BNSF network, no significant disruptions due to severe weather are 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.