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During the first quarter, BNSF Railway Co. reaped the financial benefits from strong traffic demand in all four of the railroad’s business groups. Freight revenue of $3.4 billion increased 16 percent, operating income of $792 million rose 25 percent, earnings per diluted share of $1.09 went up 31 percent and the Class I’s operating ratio of 76.5 improved 1.6 points compared with first-quarter 2005.

“Overall unit volume increased 5 percent in the first quarter compared with the same 2005 period,” said BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Rose in a prepared statement. “This increase was led by intermodal unit growth of 6 percent, and coal carload and tonnage growth of 5 percent.”

Consumer products revenue increased 17 percent to $1.3 billion, industrial products revenue rose 19 percent to $772 million, coal revenue went up 14 percent to $680 million and agricultural products revenue increased 14 percent to $597 million. Fuel surcharges generated revenue of $350 million compared with $170 million in first-quarter 2005.

However, quarterly operating expenses of $2.7 billion increased 14 percent compared with first-quarter 2005 primarily because of rising fuel costs.