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Despite decreased production at several Powder River Basin (PRB) mines through September’s midpoint, BNSF Railway Co. increased coal train loadings on a year-over-year basis. Through Sept. 16, the railroad averaged 52.4 train loadings daily vs. 51.7 trains during the same period last year.

However, mine production issues resulted in the loss of an average of 5.2 train loading opportunities per day in the PRB through the months’ first 16 days, BNSF said. The railroad is holding up to 40 empty trains per day for mine loading slot availability and continues to work with customers to match train-set counts with sustained mine loading capabilities, according to a prepared statement.

Year-to-date through Sept. 16, BNSF loaded an average of 49.5 trains daily in the PRB compared with 49.3 trains during the same 2006 period. Systemwide through Sept. 16, the railroad loaded 204.1 million tons of coal, up 1.3 percent year over year.