BNSF honors Burlington Junction Railway as short line of the year

BNSF Railway Co. has named the Burlington Junction Railway (BJRY) its Short Line of the Year for 2016.

The award recognizes BJRY for its dedication to safety, customer service and growth investments. Since the short line was formed in 1985, BJRY has not had a single reportable injury, according to a BNSF press release.

Headquartered in Burlington, Iowa, the short line operates eight switching locations in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. BJRY moves about 15,000 carloads annually, including sand, lumber, tallow, resin and frozen foods.

The short line's "major successes" in 2015 included moving 100 frac sand unit trains, as well as building a new 2,000-foot stretch of interchange track in Quincy, Ill. By working with BNSF, BJRY volumes have grown 27 percent year-to-date, despite the current difficulties in a soft freight-rail market, BNSF officials said.

"Our success is due to us having the best employees of any operation," said BJRY General Manager Bob Wingate. "Customers constantly report that our employees genuinely care about their problems and concerns. This award is a credit to them and their dedication to our railroad."

BNSF also presented a special recognition short-line award to the Temple & Central Texas Railway. Owned by Patriot Rail LLC, the short line operates 10 miles of track in the Central Pointe Rail Park in Temple, Texas.