BNSF spends US$3.5 billion to upgrade speed and volume

A MAJOR western US railway, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) has announced a 2011 capital spending programme of US$3.5 billion to build its core network including $450 million earmarked for 227 locomotives, and another $350 million on rolling stock and other equipment.


The programme also includes about $300 million for federally mandated positive train control (PTC) and another $300 million for terminal, line and intermodal upgrades, reports the UK's Transport Intelligence.


"We remain committed to making the necessary investments to maintain and grow capacity and provide the supply chain with more efficient freight transportation," said BNSF chairman and CEO Matthew Rose.


The projects will focus on the mid-continent and coal routes to improve speed and throughput.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)