Washington state port sets annual rail-car volume record

The Port of Olympia, Wash., on Dec. 17 loaded its 1,000th rail car, reaching an all-time-high in annual rail-car volume. The previous record of 878 rail cars was set in 2004.

Served by BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad, the port has tripled the number of rail cars handled this year versus 2012, averaging 85 per month.

"The increase in rail-car volume reflects [our] Marine Terminal's growth in business and jobs," port officials said in a press release. "Through week 50, the terminal longshore hours were 68,000, which … more than doubled the longshore hours of the same period last year."

The port also announced it was recognized as the "Port of the Year" for 2013 by the Washington Public Ports Association. The award recognizes the port's job and revenue growth, investments in environmental stewardship, and expanded public participation and outreach.