BNSF, NS partner to offer faster service from Pacific Northwest to Chicago

BNSF Railway Co. and connecting partners Norfolk Southern Railway and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) yesterday announced a collaboration to redesign and develop a three-day faster service product for inland point intermodal traffic from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago.

The redesigned plan will encompass the NWSA building trains in less than two days dwell off the dock with the density to seamlessly connect to and through Chicago. The seamless hand-off across BNSF’s Northern Transcon route enables faster transit and better consistency for cargo shippers, according to a joint press release issued by BNSF.

The new service is effective immediately.

“This service product collaboration was an outcome of listening to our joint customers, who emphasized the desire to use more rail, but would need to also reduce inventory carrying and total landed transportation costs out of their networks in 2025,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF group vice president, consumer products.

The NWSA Seattle/Tacoma port complex reported the lowest rail dwell in the country so far this year as a result of operational changes emphasizing rail loading, according to BNSF.

With reduced on-dock dwell and faster transit, results will be three days faster, with the total time from ship to Chicago at six days.

NS and BNSF will deliver all interchange traffic to one location (NS-Ashland), for a single crew swap, then move toward inland markets in Ohio, Pennsylvania and more, NS and BNSF officials said.