BNSF moves first Westmoreland Coal shipment on new Montana mainline connection

Westmoreland Coal Co. last week announced BNSF Railway Co. delivered the first shipment of coal via a new wye track built at Westmoreland Resources Inc.'s Absaloka Mine in Hardin, Mont.

The new connection to BNSF's mainline enables coal to be transported via rail to the West, providing increased market opportunities for Absaloka's coal, which is leased from The Crow Tribe, Westmoreland Coal officials said in a press release. In addition, the wye track will enable the company to better capitalize on its geographical advantage in the north Powder River Basin, they said.

The rail expansion already has resulted in several new accounts, including a test burn and spot sales to a new utility plant customer, Westmoreland Coal officials said.

"Our team has worked very hard in concert with The Crow Tribe and BNSF to make the completion of the western connection a reality," said Westmoreland Coal President and Chief Executive Officer Robert King.