BNSF Expands Shortline Network to Boost U.S. Freight Growth
06.11.2025
BNSF extended its Shortline Select™ program by adding two more railroads, namely Northern Lines Railway (NLR) and Columbia Basin Railroad (CBRW), thereby improving freight connections and cooperation on its extensive network spanning across the U.S. and Canada.
This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
BNSF Expands Regional Partnerships for Growth
To enhance cooperation and create closer ties between small and mid-size railroads that deal with first- and last-mile delivery, the company launched its Shortline Select program in 2024. By doing this, BNSF enhances its ability to move products, facilitate economic growth, and enhance customer satisfaction.
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With this initiative, the railway accesses national-scale infrastructure resources, as well as local expertise and knowledge, through its connection with NLR and CBRW, thereby expanding accessibility to essential routes of agriculture, industries, and energy sources, thus offering improved logistics services.
BNSF Focuses on Innovation and Sustainable Logistics
Both railways, as reported by General Director of Marketing of BNSF, Mark Ganaway, share these values of the company, namely reliability and growth through cooperation. They have a common dedication to reliability, safety, and, of course, growth through cooperation.
Members of this program get to enjoy the Premier Transload facilities that have over 400 connections involving rail and trucking transportation provided by BNSF. They can also enjoy the benefits of having industrial sites that are certified and ready for immediate development through rail. This is why many short lines get to easily obtain funding to undertake projects and develop efficient supply chains.
According to CBRW Vice President of Commercial Development, Tim Enayati, data sharing and cooperation between CBRW and BNSF help enhance efficiency of operations at CBRW. This comes as improvements for shippers of ag and food commodities, despite having equal transit times and safety standards being kept unchanged.
NLR is continuing a relationship that dates back more than two decades, and for them, this new partnership is just an extension of that relationship that has been going on for more than two decades now, as disclosed by Senior Director of Sales and Marketing of NLR, Katie Sackett, who provided that this effort supports and furthers the sustainability and efficiency goals of these two companies. Additionally, she provided that it offers new growth opportunities for communities they serve.
Also participating in this program are other railways such as Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway, Burlington Junction Railway, Portland & Western Railway, Texas Northwestern Railroad, Timber Rock Railroad, and Red River Valley & Western Railway.
BNSF is expanding its Shortline Select model and encourages other national and regional railway networks aiming towards an integrated freight system and sustainable future through cooperation between national and local railways.
Source: www.progressiverailroading.com
News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:
What is the BNSF Shortline Select program?
The BNSF Shortline Select program connects regional short-line railroads with BNSF’s national freight network to improve efficiency, service reliability, and economic development.
How does BNSF support local rail operators through the program?
BNSF provides access to its Premier Transload and Certified Sites programs, allowing short lines to expand business opportunities and attract investment in regional freight corridors.
Can other short lines join BNSF’s Shortline Select program?
Yes. BNSF continues to evaluate partnerships with qualified short lines that align with its goals for safety, sustainability, and customer-focused logistics.
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