Class I Briefs: BNSF, CSX, NS
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Photo by BNSF team member Bryan Echols, who helped ensure the wind blade got to its destination safely.
BNSF makes history by moving the largest wind blade ever transported by train in North America. Also, CSX brings its locomotive simulator to the World of Nations event in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Coastal Division Maintenance of Way & Structures (MW&S) team celebrates two years injury-free.
BNSF
BNSF made history last week by moving the largest wind blade ever transported by rail in North America.
The 80.5-mile-long wind blade was moved by BNSF’s dedicated wind blade train, moving Vestas blades from Colorado to Texas.
CSX
CSX rolled into the World of Nations event in Jacksonville, Fla., with its locomotive simulator.
Along with learning about operating a locomotive, attendees spoke with CSX team members about career opportunities, rail safety and the Class I’s commitment to the community.
NS
NS’s MW&S team in the Coastal Division reached two significant safety milestones in the past three months. As of Feb. 22, 2023, the team has clocked two injury-free years, followed by more than one million manhours worked injury-free between Feb. 22 to Dec. 9, 2023.
The Coastal MW&S team builds and maintains NS’s infrastructure throughout Georgia and South Carolina, along with portions of Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee. The team provides daily maintenance to more than 4,000 miles of mainline, industry and yard tracks. In an average year, the team will support more than 500 miles of tie and surfacing, conduct more than 5,000 track inspections, detect and change more than 1,300 defective rails, and ensure the immediate and future success of NS’s infrastructure, according to the Class I.
The Coastal Division MW&S team battles against intense thunderstorms, hurricanes and unexpected weather. During Hurricane Idalia, the team removed more than 1,800 trees around Valdosta, Ga., while dealing with massive inflows of water.
“The team’s success in safety is attributable to many things, but [there is] one that is evident and that is [that] our employees recognize their value and trust their team members,” said Justin Brooks, Chief Engineer, Southern Region.
“Our front-line supervisors and craft employees in the Coastal Division are extraordinary,” added Nathan Kronewitter, Division Engineer, Coastal Division. “This milestone achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication daily. Our people always deliver. It’s an honor to work with such great people. What they achieved requires immense discipline, belief, and execution. Both myself and the Coastal Division leadership team of Mike Seatter, Carl Hutchins, Josh Norton, and Mark Nichols are thankful for who they are and how they perform every single day. Congratulations!”
