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Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reports First Quarter 2003 Results - First quarter 2003 earnings was $0.40 per share, before the cumulative effect adjustment for a change in accounting principle, compared with first quarter 2002 earnings of $0.45 per sh


FORT WORTH, Texas, Apr 22, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) (BNSF) today reported first quarter
2003 earnings of $0.40, before the cumulative effect for a change in accounting
principle. Including the cumulative effect adjustment of $0.10 per share
after-tax, first quarter 2003 earnings was $0.50 per share.

"BNSF achieved year-over-year quarterly revenue growth for the first time since
the second quarter of 2001. Excluding the impact of higher fuel prices, our
operating expenses were essentially flat and the operating ratio would have been
approximately 1 point lower than the first quarter of the prior year," said
Matthew K. Rose, BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Rose
said, "We believe revenue growth will continue this year along with earnings
growth even though the outlook for certain segments of the U.S. economy
continues to be cloudy."

Freight revenues for the first quarter increased 3 percent to $2.20 billion
compared with 2002 first quarter revenues of $2.14 billion, including a $16
million increase in revenue from fuel surcharges. Consumer Products revenues
increased $70 million, or 9 percent, to $848 million, as a result of record
revenue levels in the international, truckload and perishable sectors. Coal
revenues decreased $23 million, or 5 percent, to $485 million, as a result of
lower volumes from the draw-down of utility stockpiles, utility maintenance
outages and a March blizzard in the Powder River Basin. Industrial Products
revenues grew $20 million or 4 percent to $511 million from increased steel,
aluminum and clay shipments in the construction products sector and increased
military-related and waste products shipments in the building products sector.
Agricultural Products revenues declined $3 million, or one percent, to $358
million, largely because of reduced Pacific Northwest wheat-export demand.

Operating expenses of $1.89 billion were $103 million higher than the same 2002
period. Fuel expense was up $90 million, or 49 percent, to $274 million compared
with the same 2002 period primarily as a result of an average increase of $0.29
per gallon in the cost of diesel fuel to $0.94 per gallon, which includes a
hedge benefit of $0.08 per gallon. Purchased services expense increased $24
million to $299 million due to higher service contract expense for equipment
maintenance and outsourcing of computing infrastructure.

Operating income was $346 million for the 2003 first quarter compared with $380
million for the same 2002 period. BNSF`s operating ratio was 84.3 percent for
the 2003 first quarter compared with 82.2 percent in 2002.

Change in Accounting Principle

BSNF adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 143,
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, on January 1, 2003. This statement
disallows the accrual of asset retirement costs that are not legal obligations.
The net cumulative effect of this accounting change on years prior to 2003 was
an increase to Net income of $39 million, net of tax, or $0.10 per share, which
is reflected in the cumulative effect adjustment recorded in the first quarter
of 2003.

Common Stock Repurchases

During the 2003 first quarter, BNSF repurchased approximately 3 million shares
of its common stock at an average price of $25.58 per share. This brings total
repurchases under BNSF`s 150-million share-repurchase program to approximately
119 million shares as of March 31, 2003, at an average price of $25.96 per share
since the program was announced in July 1997.

Through its subsidiary, The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company,
BNSF operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with 32,500
route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is an industry
leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at www.bnsf.com . The
railway is among the world`s top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more
grain than any other American railroad, transports the mineral components of
many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough coal to generate about
10 percent of the electricity produced in the United States.

Financial Information Follows.

Statements made in this release concerning projections or expectations of
financial or operational performance, or concerning other future events or
objectives or results, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve a number of
risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from that
projected or implied in those statements. Important factors that could cause
such differences include, but are not limited to, economic and industry
conditions: material adverse changes in economic or industry conditions, both
within the United States and globally, customer demand, effects of adverse
economic conditions affecting shippers, adverse economic conditions in the
industries and geographic areas that produce and consume freight, competition
and consolidation within the transportation industry, the extent to which BNSF
is successful in gaining new long-term relationships with customers or retaining
existing ones, changes in fuel prices, changes in the securities and capital
markets, and changes in labor costs and labor difficulties, including stoppages
affecting either BNSF`s operations or our customers` abilities to deliver goods
to BNSF for shipment; legal and regulatory factors: developments and changes in
laws and regulations and the ultimate outcome of shipper and rate claims subject
to adjudication, environmental investigations or proceedings and other types of
claims and litigation; and operating factors: technical difficulties, changes in
operating conditions and costs, competition, and commodity concentrations, the
Company`s ability to achieve its operational and financial initiatives and to
contain costs, as well as natural events such as severe weather, floods and
earthquakes or other disruptions of the Company`s operating systems, structures,
or equipment.

The Company cautions against placing undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, which reflect its current beliefs and are based on information
currently available to it as of the date a forward-looking statement is made.
The Company undertakes no obligation to revise forward-looking statements to
reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs. In the
event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should
be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that
statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. Any
corrections or revisions may appear in the Company`s public filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, which are accessible at www.sec.gov or on
the Company`s website at www.bnsf.com , and which you are advised to consult.

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BNSF Makes Loading Expertise Available to Freight Shippers Worldwide


FORT WORTH, Texas, May 20, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --
High-quality, low- cost, safe solutions for the handling, storage, securement
and transportation of cargo, provided as part of its overall service to rail
customers by The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF), are
now available to freight shippers worldwide.

Known as LARS (Load and Ride Solutions) Global, BNSF offers the expertise of its
cargo handling and security professionals -- who have more than 400 years`
combined experience in providing solutions to prevent cargo damage, theft and
vandalism -- to shippers who use any mode of transportation and any freight
transportation provider.

"BNSF`s freight loss and damage ratio has dropped by more than 50 percent since
1995," says Chuck Law, BNSF`s Director, LARS Marketing and Consulting. "We have
been providing answers to customer cargo damage and security issues for decades.
Our seasoned professionals specialize in relevant solutions that take full
advantage of a changing worldwide transportation industry."

LARS Global offers a variety of cargo transportation solutions designed to
eliminate transportation damage. Services include a total evaluation of each
client`s product as it moves through the transportation cycle and
recommendations on such issues as packaging, warehouse storage, loading,
blocking and bracing, transportation ride quality, unloading and destination
storage and delivery.

Clients receive a written summary of loading, packaging, security and
transportation recommendations. The summary includes computer generated load
plans and drawings. In conjunction with its recommendations, LARS Global
provides detailed training for all client personnel involved in the handling and
transportation process.

Available services include loading and preparation, development of loading
diagrams; cargo handling and ride quality; and cargo protection/security
solutions. More information is available on the LARS Global website at
http://www.larsglobal.com/ or by phone toll-free at [phone].

A subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI), BNSF
operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with 32,500
route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is an industry
leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at www.bnsf.com . The
railway is among the world`s top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more
grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the
products we depend on daily, and hauls enough coal to generate about 10 percent
of the electricity produced in the United States.

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nicht ganz so wichtig!

~~~

James H. Gallegos Joins BNSF as Vice President and Corporate General Counsel


FORT WORTH, Texas, May 28, 2003

Gallegos, formerly vice president and senior associate general counsel, Legal
Affairs for Qwest Communications International, Inc., has joined Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) as vice president and Corporate
General Counsel. The appointment was announced by BNSF`s Jeff Moreland,
executive vice president, Law & Government Affairs and Secretary.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010719/BNSFLOGO )

In making the announcement, Moreland said: "We are pleased that Jim is joining
Team BNSF because he brings a unique combination of legal experience to the
railroad. He began his career as a litigator, has tried cases before the State
Corporation Commission of New Mexico, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission
and to federal grand juries and courts in various jurisdictions for the U. S.
Department of Justice. In addition, Jim has worked on complex transactions
involving international acquisitions."

Reporting to Gallegos will be Craig Smetko, associate general counsel and
assistant Secretary, and his team. Moreland pointed out that Gallegos, along
with Paul Hoferer, vice president and General Counsel, and Rick Weicher, vice
president and Senior Regulatory Counsel, will manage their respective Law
Department functions.

After receiving his bachelor`s of science degree in business from the University
of Colorado in 1982, Gallegos worked as a marketing analyst for the former
Burlington Northern Railroad for three years, and for the Soo Line Railroad for
one year. He then earned his juris doctor degree from the Law Center at the
University of Minnesota in 1990. Upon graduation, he went to clerk for U.S.
Federal District Court Judge Richard Bilby in Tucson, Ariz., handling a range of
litigation cases.

In August 1991, he went to Washington, D.C., to become a trial attorney in the
Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice
where he investigated and tried a variety of cases before federal grand juries
and federal juries throughout the United States. Early in 1995, Gallegos joined
US WEST, Inc., in Denver, as an attorney, Regulatory Section, responsible for
regulatory and legislative activities in Colorado and New Mexico.

In 1997, he was promoted to director, Public Policy, becoming the main lobbyist
for US WEST in Colorado. Following the company`s merger with Qwest in 2000, he
became Associate General Counsel concentrating on transactions supporting their
Network and Wholesale business sectors. He was promoted to vice president, Legal
Affairs for Quest in 2002.

Through its subsidiary, The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company,
BNSF operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with 32,500
route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is an industry
leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at www.bnsf.com . The
railway is among the world`s top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more
grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the
products we depend on daily, and hauls enough coal to generate about 10 percent
of the electricity produced in the United States.

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RailAmerica Acquires Alabama Rail Line From Burlington Northern Santa Fe


BOCA RATON, Fla. & FORT WORTH, Texas, Jun 2, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
RailAmerica, Inc. (NYSE:RRA) and the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway
Company (BNSF) today announced that BNSF has sold/leased 288 miles of contiguous
rail line in and around Mobile, Alabama to RailAmerica`s wholly owned
subsidiary, Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway (AGR), for approximately $15 million in
cash. AGR commenced rail service on this line June 1, 2003.

The 288 miles of rail line includes owned, leased and trackage rights segments
running from Amory, Mississippi to Mobile, Alabama, connecting directly with AGR
at Kimbrough, Alabama. As a result of this connection, RailAmerica expects to
realize significant synergies and cost savings, as AGR now provides direct
access to the Port of Mobile for large paper product manufacturers and other
customers in the region. AGR anticipates hauling approximately 23,000 additional
carloads and generating approximately $12 million in new operating revenue on
this line in its first full year of operation. Major shippers on the line
include Gulf States Paper Corporation, EKA Chemicals, Kerr-McGee Chemical,
Weyerhaeuser and the Port of Mobile.

Including this acquisition, AGR now operates 429 miles of rail line and expects
to move approximately 58,000 carloads annually. Principal commodities include
paper, pulp and paper products, chemicals and grain. AGR interchanges with five
Class I carriers at various locations, including BNSF at both Amory and
Columbus, Mississippi. AGR also gains new interchanges with fellow short line
operators Meridian & Bigbee Railroad, Golden Triangle Railroad, Columbus &
Greenville Railroad, Luxapalilla Valley Railroad and Terminal Alabama State
Docks Railroad. RailAmerica acquired AGR in January 2002 when it acquired
StatesRail.

"This line acquisition is consistent with our strategic approach in North
America to build geographic clusters of operations to achieve operating and
marketing efficiencies and to grow the existing customer base," said Gary O.
Marino, RailAmerica`s Chairman, President & CEO. "

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Latest News

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BNSF Named Carrier of the Year By Wal-Mart for Fifth Consecutive Year


BENTONVILLE, Ark. and FORT WORTH, Texas, Jul 14, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via
COMTEX/ -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. recently recognized The Burlington Northern and
Santa Fe Railway Company as the recipient of the Wal-Mart`s annual Carrier of
the Year award. BNSF has received this award for five consecutive years and to
date is the only railroad that has received this honor.

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Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation Increases Quarterly Dividend By 25 Percent


FORT WORTH, Texas, Jul 17, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Directors
of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) voted on July 17, 2003,
to increase its next quarterly dividend to 15 cents per share on outstanding
common stock. This represents a 25 percent increase from its previous quarterly
dividend of 12 cents per share, or an annualized 60 cents per share dividend.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010719/BNSFLOGO )

Dividends on common stock will be paid October 1, 2003, to shareholders of
record September 10, 2003. Common shares outstanding on June 30, 2003, totaled
approximately 373 million.

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Burlington Northern Seeks to Boost Capacity at Memphis, Tenn., Rail Terminal


Aug 13, 2003 (The Commercial Appeal - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via
COMTEX) -- Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. officials said Tuesday
that the company is studying ways to increase capacity at its Memphis terminal
five-fold.

"We have some studies under way to determine the feasilibility of expanding
capacity in Memphis or locating a greenfield site in Memphis," BNSF assistant
vice president of economic development Vann Cunningham said.

By year`s end, the railroad expects to increase capacity for the fastest growing
segment of its business -- intermodal shipping.

The plans apparently don`t include joining the Super Terminal Memphis project,
which less than two months ago landed Canadian National Railroad as its anchor
tenant.

Cunningham said Burlington would like to achieve 1 million lifts of capacity for
intermodal cargo in Memphis; it currently has about 200,000 lifts of capacity.
"Lifts" refer to the number of transfers of containers to and from rail cars and
trucks.

Railroads use intermodal yards to load and unload shipping containers, sending
the goods -- auto parts, processed goods and other products -- to the end
consumer by truck or rail.

The move could affect employment at the terminal, which has about 550 workers.

About 100 BNSF employees met with company executives Tuesday at the Whispering
Woods Hotel and Conference Center in Olive Branch to address rumors and concerns
about the future of the railroad`s Memphis terminal.

The city`s rail yards are over capacity because they were not designed for
intermodal shipping, which requires lanes for truck traffic and areas to store
empty shipping containers.

BNSF, a major force in the movement of goods from the West and East coasts, is
well over capacity at its 57-acre yard at U.S. 78 and Shelby Drive.

And the company has made no secret that it`s shopping to expand, looking at
property in Marshall County, Miss., and in Arkansas.

It has an 18-acre intermodal facility in Marion, Ark., where last year it
transferred 80,000 intermodal containers.

Mark Kotter, BNSF assistant vice president of operations, said no decisions have
been made about the Memphis terminal.

But Kotter said the growth of international shipments, which consists of
containers from steamship companies, is prompting BNSF to look at its intermodal
operations.

Other railroads are also struggling with capacity, which is what prompted CN to
decide to invest $25 million to create an intermodal facility at Frank C.
Pidgeon Industrial Park.

CN acquired 155 acres with an option on 95 more acres in the 3,000-acre Pidgeon
park. CN has said it plans to start building in September and finish in 2004.

Six years ago, city leaders dreamed of a Super Terminal that would include all
five of the Class 1 railroads in Memphis. Chicago is the only other city with as
many.

Since then, Union Pacific built its own yard in Marion, Ark., taking about a
third of the intermodal business out of town.

As it stands now, the Pidgeon intermodal yard will serve CN and any railroads CN
brings into the deal. Canadian National is negotiating with CSX Corp., which is
expected to invest another $25 million in the facility.

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American Honda Premier Partner Program Honors Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway as a Top Supplier for 2003

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sep 3, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Koichi Amemiya along with President and Chief Operating Officer Koichi Kondo recently presented the company`s "Premier Partner Award" for excellence in quality, value and customer service to The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company of Fort Worth, Texas a subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI). BNSF was one of 15 suppliers selected out of the 74 nominated companies that service American Honda nationwide. BNSF is the only transportation company that was selected for this honor.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010719/BNSFLOGO )

BNSF plays an integral role in providing Honda with innovative transportation solutions to ensure their vehicles reach the market place.

"It is a great honor to be named a Premier Partner for the sixth consecutive year," says Marc Allen, assistant vice president, Automotive Marketing. "Like Honda, BNSF is committed to quality and continuous improvement and has worked to develop tailored services to meet Honda`s needs."

The Awards were established in 1998 to recognize suppliers who embrace American Honda`s philosophy of meeting and exceeding customer expectations.

"We are extremely pleased to honor Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and the other American Honda suppliers who continually provide us with invaluable services that consistently meet and exceed our expectations," said Gary Kessler, American Honda`s vice president of human resources and administration. "Our suppliers` support is critical to Honda`s success as a company and largely enables us to achieve our goal of providing our customers with the highest quality products and customer service."

Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda`s first overseas subsidiary. Using domestic and globally-sourced parts, Honda began assembling motorcycles in America in 1979, with U.S. automobile manufacturing starting in 1982. Honda designs, manufactures and markets its products in North America and worldwide. Honda currently builds products in 12 manufacturing plants in North America, with three major R&D centers in the U.S.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, BNSF operates one of the largest rail networks in North America, with 32,500 route miles of track covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. Moving more than 2 million new vehicles annually, BNSF hauls one out of every eight new cars or trucks sold in the United States. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a wide variety of customer transactions. The railway moves more intermodal traffic than any other rail system in the world, is America`s largest grain-hauling railroad, and hauls enough coal to generate more than 10 percent of the electricity produced in the United State

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BNSF to Report Third-Quarter Earnings October 21


FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct 7, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) (BNSF) will report its third-quarter
2003 earnings at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time October 21, 2003, through a Webcast.
BNSF plans to issue its earnings press release at about 8 a.m. Eastern Time.



The Webcast will be led by BNSF Chairman, President and CEO Matt Rose and will
include presentations from Tom Hund, executive vice president and chief
financial officer; John Lanigan, executive vice president and chief marketing
officer; and Carl Ice, executive vice president and chief operations officer.
The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

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Homeland Security Team Visits BNSF`s Technical Training Center


2003-10-17 --

Members of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently visited BNSF`s Technical Training Center (TTC) in Overland Park, Kan., for a week-long course designed to improve their understanding of the rail industry.

"Given the importance of security in today`s world, government and industry need to work together toward a mutual understanding," says Mike Lorkiewicz, physical security specialist with the DHS, who helped arrange for the class. Our visit to the TTC was very informative. The quality of the training, the people, the equipment and the facility were all very impressive. After seeing the kind of training provided to railroad engineers, conductors, yardmasters and other employees, we feel very good about the professionalism and technological sophistication of the railroad industry."

The course was designed to give an overview of the railroad industry to newly hired members of the Homeland Security team. The course covered an introduction to railroading, railroad job descriptions, operating rules, safety, radio rules, signals and their use, and hazardous materials. The course also included hands-on training in the training yard and a tour of the Argentine Yard with members of the Resource Protection Solutions Team.

"We learned a tremendous amount about the rail industry and your security efforts," Lorkiewicz explains. "This exchange of information helps us to be more effective in the DHS in ensuring the safety of our communities and our rail infrastructure."

"During these interactive training sessions at the TTC, these individuals from the DHS were able to learn about the railroad industry, our safety and security precautions and critical job skills," says Dave Tolle, assistant vice president, Technical Training and Rules. "Based on the success of this program, it appears that we’ll be holding similar training sessions in the future."

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Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reports Third-Quarter 2003 Results

* Third-quarter 2003 earnings was $0.55 per share, or 8 percent higher, compared with third-quarter 2002 earnings of $0.51 per share.
* Freight revenues increased $83 million, or 4 percent, to a record $2.37 billion compared with the 2002 third quarter.
* Operating income was $430 million compared with $419 million a year ago.
* Fuel expense was $45 million, or 21 percent, higher than fuel expense in the third quarter of 2002.

FORT WORTH, Texas, October 21, 2003 - Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF) (NYSE: BNI) today reported third-quarter 2003 earnings of $0.55 per share compared with third-quarter 2002 earnings of $0.51 per share.

"Strong volumes in international and truckload intermodal coupled with an increasing export demand for wheat and growing demand for paper, construction products and building products contributed to record third-quarter revenues," said Matthew K. Rose, BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We saw improvements in pricing and volume despite the continued softness of the U.S. manufacturing sector," Rose pointed out.

Freight revenues for the third quarter increased $83 million, or 4 percent, to a record $2.37 billion compared with 2002 third-quarter revenues of $2.28 billion. Third-quarter freight revenues included increased fuel surcharges of $22 million compared with the prior year. Consumer Products revenues increased $48 million, or 5 percent, to a record $929 million reflecting continued growth in the international, truckload and perishables sectors as well as growth in existing business. Industrial Products revenues rose $30 million, or 6 percent, to a record $554 million reflecting strong demand for paper, lumber, aggregates and clay. Agricultural Products revenues were up $29 million, or 9 percent, to $371 million, as a result of increased export demand for wheat and greater ethanol shipments from Midwest plants to California. Coal revenues decreased $24 million, or 5 percent, to $511 million as a result of less demand due to milder summer weather and flooding at mines in the Powder River Basin which limited loadings.

Operating expenses of $1.97 billion were $76 million, or 4 percent, higher than the same period in 2002. Increases in operating expense were primarily driven by a $45 million, or 21 percent, increase in fuel expense compared with the third quarter of 2002.

Operating income rose $11 million, or 3 percent, to $430 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $419 million for the third quarter of 2002. BNSF`s operating ratio was 81.8 percent compared to 81.6 percent for the same period in the prior year.

Common Stock Repurchases

During the third quarter of 2003, BNSF repurchased approximately 2 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $27.93 per share. This brings total repurchases under BNSF`s 150-million share-repurchase program to approximately 122 million shares as of September 30, 2003, at an average price of $26.01 per share since the program was announced in July 1997.

BNSF`s subsidiary, The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company, operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with about 32,500 route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at www.bnsf.com. The railway is among the world`s top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, transports the mineral components of many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States

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As Volumes Pick Up, Shippers See Economy Gaining Traction


2003-10-22 --

For the first time since the economy began slowing three years ago, many of the country`s largest transportation companies are seeing signs of a broad-based recovery that appears to have staying power, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal today, Oct. 22.

The article attributed evidence of a turnaround to the performance of the primary transportation modes that handle the majority of domestic freight: railroads, trucking and package delivery. "Their performance is considered a leading indicator of future economic growth, because many of the items they carry are used as raw materials in industrial production and for replenishing inventories. The companies, which closely monitor their biggest customers` own future expectations, say they are seeing increased demand across a broad swath of industries, from manufacturing and chemicals to retailing and lumber," says the Journal.

One indicator of growth was a statement from United Parcel Service (UPS) saying they expect domestic volume to grow during the next few months, including the important holiday peak season. The article also reported that BNSF posted its third quarterly revenue increase in a row and projected an even-larger percentage gain in the fourth quarter compared with a year earlier. BNSF "said delivery volume also is growing for industrial and consumer products, while agricultural shipments are strong for the first time in years, reflecting demand for wheat, corn and ethanol, which is used as a gasoline additive. The railroad also is seeing strong increases in lumber shipments, a bullish sign for future house construction.

"The transportation companies` experience appears to be supported by broader economic data," the article continued. The Federal Reserve says manufacturing production has risen in four of the last five months and is up 1.2% since its April low, but they are still cautious since there have been improvements followed by letdowns in the economy.

"But the increasingly upbeat outlook from some of the economy`s biggest workhorses is a sign that a recovery is taking hold at a growing number of businesses that postponed or canceled shipments of raw materials and finished goods during the economic slowdown and the war in Iraq," said the article, and the "rebound is leading to greater confidence among freight carriers."

The article also reported that many of the carriers are expanding capacity, citing BNSF`s plans to accelerate delivery of 65 new locomotives into the current quarter from early next year. BNSF plans to acquire 350 more locomotives next year to meet higher volumes, to take advantage of federal investment incentives that remain in effect through 2004, and to be ready for more-stringent pollution-emission standards in 2005.

Trucking companies also said that they expect to hire more drivers and dockworkers. In addition, increased demand is giving transportation companies "pricing power" and the ability to increase rates.

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Alleghany Announces 2003 Third Quarter Earnings

NEW YORK, Nov 12, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Net earnings of Alleghany Corporation
(NYSE:Y) in the third quarter of 2003 were $74.9 million, or $10.02 basic
earnings per share of common stock, compared with net earnings of $21.7 million,
or $2.93 basic earnings per share of common stock, in the third quarter of 2002,
John J. Burns, Jr., President and chief executive officer of Alleghany,
announced today. Third quarter 2003 net earnings include the results of
operations of RSUI Group, Inc., acquired on July 1, 2003 from Royal & Sun
Alliance Group plc, and net gains on investment transactions after taxes of
$50.6 million, or $6.78 basic earnings per share, primarily reflecting the
proceeds from the disposition of approximately 4.4 million shares of common
stock of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation. Such disposition generated
$119.1 million of aggregate cash proceeds, $87.7 million of which was generated
at Alleghany`s insurance operating units for the purpose of diversifying their
investment portfolios.

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wahrscheinlich sind Eisenbahnunternehmen(US) langweilig!

Schade

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BNSF to Report Fourth-Quarter Earnings January 27


FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan 06, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via Comtex/ -- Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) (BNSF) will report its fourth-quarter
and year-end 2003 earnings in a meeting with financial analysts in New York City
and through a simultaneous Webcast at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time January 27, 2004.
BNSF plans to issue its earnings press release at about 8 a.m. Eastern Time that
day.

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BNSF to Report First-Quarter Earnings April 27


FORT WORTH, Texas, Apr 6, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) (BNSF) will report its first-quarter
2004 earnings in a Webcast at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time April 27, 2004. BNSF plans
to issue its earnings press release at about 8 a.m. Eastern Time that day.

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Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend


FORT WORTH, Texas, Apr 22, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Directors
of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) voted on April 22, 2004,
to pay a regular quarterly dividend of 15 cents per share on outstanding common
stock.


Dividends on common stock will be paid July 1, 2004, to shareholders of record
June 10, 2004. Common shares outstanding on March 31, 2004, totaled
approximately 371 million

[Mannerl]

UNGLÜCK IN TEXAS

Züge prallen frontal zusammen - ein Toter und mehrere Verletzte

Bei der Kollision zweier Güterzüge ist im US-Bundesstaat Texas ein Mann getötet und mehrere Menschen verletzt worden. Die beiden Züge falteten sich wie Ziehharmonikas auf.



AP
Zugwracks: Kollision auf eingleisiger Strecke
Gunter - Die beiden Güterzüge prallten frontal nahe der nordtexanischen Ortschaft Gunter aufeinander. Dabei wurde ein Lokführer getötet. Vier weitere Menschen wurden nach Angaben der Behörden verletzt. Etwa 20 Waggons entgleisten. Während der eine Zug Steine transportierte und von drei Lokomotiven gezogen wurde, war der andere leer. Eine der Lokomotiven ging in Flammen auf.

Einer der Verletzten erlitt schwere Verbrennungen und wurde mit einem Hubschrauber in ein Krankenhaus ins 80 Kilometer entfernte Dallas gebracht.

Wie es zu dem Unglück kommen konnte, ist noch nicht bekannt. Die Züge waren auf einer eingleisigen Strecke unterwegs. Beide gehören der Bahngesellschaft Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

[Mannerl]

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ken Kempker has been appointed vice president and chief sourcing officer of The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF), it has been announced by Carl Ice, executive vice president and chief operations officer. Kempker, who will report to Ice, succeeds Mark Schulze, who was named general manager of BNSF``s Texas Division earlier this month.

Also announced was the promotion of Dave Stropes to vice president, Corporate Audit Services, succeeding Kempker. Stropes, who had served as assistant vice president, Consumer Products, will report to Matt Rose, chairman, president and chief executive officer. A successor to Stropes will be named later.

Both appointments are effective immediately.

Kempker was named vice president, Corporate Audit Services, in 2000. He joined Santa Fe Pacific Corporation in December 1990 as manager, Financial Reporting, and held various positions in the Accounting area until May 1999, when he was named assistant vice president, Engineering Accounting. Prior to joining Santa Fe Pacific, he was an audit senior with the public accounting firm of Price Waterhouse.

Stropes joined Santa Fe Railway in 1984 as a software specialist in the Cost Analysis and Research Department. He subsequently served in several financial analytical positions and in 1993 was named manager, Finance. Stropes was promoted to director, Finance, for BNSF in 1996; assistant vice president, Planning and Capital, in 1999; assistant controller in 2001, and assistant vice president, Consumer Products in 2002.

A subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation , BNSF operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with about 32,500 route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. The railway is among the world``s top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at http://www.bnsf.com/ .

[Mannerl]

Reuters
Standard & Poor`s ups Burlington Northern outlook
Thursday May 27, 4:04 pm ET


NEW YORK, May 27 (Reuters) - Standard & Poor`s on Thursday said the outlook for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.`s (NYSE:BNI - News) debt ratings has improved to "stable" from "negative," citing improving market conditions.
Burlington Northern late last month posted higher earnings, citing bountiful grain harvests and the expanding U.S. economy.

S&P affirmed Burlington Northern`s ratings, including its "BBB-plus" corporate credit rating, the third lowest investment-grade rating.

[Mannerl]

wow...es gibt sicherlich nicht viele Threads bei wo die schon ein Jahr lang laufen und nur vom Eröffnungsuser hoch gehalten werden!

MFG
Mannerl, der Monologthreader!

[Mannerl]

Eisenbahnunternehmen haben anscheinend ein schlechtes ansehen!

..

Burlington Northern Santa Fe "outperform"

Wednesday, June 09, 2004 2:11:55 PM ET
Bear Stearns


NEW YORK, June 9 (New Ratings) – Analyst Thomaz R Wadewitz of Bear Stearns maintains his "outperform" rating on Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNI.NYS).

In a research note published this morning, the analyst mentions that Burlington Northern Santa Fe has lost a rate case versus Xcel Energy. The unfavourable court ruling is not expected to have a significant impact on the company’s operations and profitability, the analyst adds. Bear Stearns expresses its optimism regarding the company’s ability to maintain its revenue growth momentum in the near future in view of a favourable pricing environment and robust volume trends.

[Mannerl]

BNSF Named Carrier of the Year; Wal-Mart Announces Honorees at Annual Awards Ceremony


BENTONVILLE, Ark. and FORT WORTH, Texas, June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. recognized The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) as the recipient of Wal-Mart``s Carrier of the Year award at a recent conference in Bentonville, Ark. Wal-Mart``s Core Carrier Conference, held annually, honors carriers for their commitment to providing excellent quality and service.



"We are pleased to have BNSF as part of our team and to name them as Wal- Mart``s Carrier of the Year for 2003," said David Reiff, Wal-Mart senior vice president for Transportation. "Their continued commitment to quality and customer service ultimately allows us to better serve our customers with on- time deliveries and in-stock merchandise."

This year, Wal-Mart recognized 12 carriers for their outstanding service in their respective categories. Some of those categories include Express Carrier of the Year, Produce Carrier of the Year, Rising Star Carrier of the Year and Innovative Carrier of the Year.

"BNSF is honored to have received Wal-Mart``s Rail Carrier of the Year award for the sixth consecutive year," said Steve Branscum, BNSF group vice president, Consumer Products. "We look forward to strengthening our relationship further with Wal-Mart by continuing to provide premium intermodal and carload transportation services that meet Wal-Mart``s needs."

Selection criteria for the award included revenue/growth, ease of doing business, communication, flexibility, customer service and follow- up/correction of errors.

A subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation , BNSF operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with about 32,500 route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. The railway is among the world``s top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at http://www.bnsf.com/ .

[Mannerl]

22.07.2004 18:53: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation Increases Quarterly Dividend By 13 Percent

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Directors of Burlington Northern Santa Fe voted today, July 22, 2004, to increase BNSF``s next quarterly dividend by 13 percent, from 15 cents to 17 cents per share on outstanding common stock. This represents an annualized 68 cents per share dividend.


The dividend of 17 cents per share on common stock will be paid October 1, 2004, to shareholders of record September 10, 2004. Common shares outstanding on June 30, 2004, totaled approximately 372 million.

BNSF``s subsidiary, The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company, operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with about 32,500 route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. The railway is among the world``s top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at http://www.bnsf.com/ .

[Mannerl]

27.07.2004 13:59: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reports Record Second-Quarter EPS

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Burlington Northern Santa Fe (Nachrichten) (BNSF) today reported record second-quarter 2004 earnings of $0.67 per share, a 24 percent increase over second-quarter 2003 earnings of $0.54 per share.

"Record all-time volumes coupled with a 2-percent average price increase contributed to our third consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth," said Matthew K. Rose, BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are pleased with the record second-quarter earnings and freight revenues. As we move toward fall peak season, our equipment availability and crew capacity should enable us to maintain network fluidity and handle forecasted volume growth."

Second-quarter 2004 freight revenues increased $374 million, or 17 percent, to $2.64 billion compared with 2003 second-quarter revenues of $2.26 billion. Of the 17 percent increase, 2 percent is being driven by fuel surcharges. Consumer Products revenues reached $1 billion for the first time as a result of a 12-percent increase in volumes in the international intermodal sector and a 17-percent volume increase in the truckload sector. Agricultural Products revenues were up $107 million, or 34 percent, due to increased corn and wheat exports. Industrial Products revenues increased $89 million, or 17 percent, to an all-time quarterly record of $620 million reflecting strong demand in the construction products, building products, petroleum products, and chemical and plastics sectors. Coal revenues rose $49 million, or 10 percent, to $553 million driven by record second-quarter volumes both from new and existing customers.

Operating expenses of $2.18 billion were $295 million, or 16 percent, higher than the same period in 2003. The increase in operating expenses was partially driven by a 13-percent increase in gross ton-miles and higher fuel prices. Additionally, operating expenses included approximately $30 million of environmental expenses due to developments at two former fueling facility sites.

Second-quarter operating income increased $96 million, or 23 percent, year-over-year to $508 million. BNSF``s operating ratio decreased to 80.7% compared with 81.8% for the same prior year period.

Dividend Increase

As announced July 22, 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company voted to increase its next quarterly dividend by 13 percent, or 2 cents per share, to 17 cents per share on outstanding common stock. This dividend will be payable on October 1, 2004 to shareholders of record on September 10, 2004. This equates to 68 cents per share on an annualized basis. This dividend increase is in addition to the 25 percent increase approved by the Board in July 2003.

[Mannerl]

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., which operates the nation`s
second-largest railroad, reported Tuesday that second-quarter net income rose 24
percent compared with a year ago.

[Mannerl]

läuft doch gar nicht so schlecht!

...

[Mannerl]

hat jemand Anteile dieser Firma hier aus dem Board?

[Mannerl]

der Wert des Eisenbahnunternehmens erstrebt das Jahreshoch

[Mannerl]

28.09.2004 15:54:
BNSF Moves 10,000th Carload of Ethanol Through BNSF Ethanol Express(TM) Unit Train ...

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) today celebrated the delivery of the 10,000th carload of ethanol moved by BNSF`s Ethanol Express(TM) unit train service from the Midwestern United States to Lomita Rail Terminal in Watson, Calif., 18 miles south of Los Angeles, Calif.

Ethanol Express(TM), the industry`s first ethanol unit train service, began in October 2003. Ethanol Express(TM) is a 95-car unit train that moves ethanol from a single origin or gathering location to a single destination. More than 100 unit trains have run since the inception of the program. The program is designed to save ethanol producers time and money through increased fleet utilization, lower inventory carrying costs and logistics coordination and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"The 10,000th carload of ethanol moved by Ethanol Express(TM) service is truly something to celebrate," says Kevin Kaufman, BNSF group vice president, Agricultural Products Marketing. "This highly reliable service efficiently moves ethanol from production areas in the U.S. corn belt to major refiners in the high-consumption area of the Los Angeles basin. It is universally recognized as a safe and effective mode of transportation that is being replicated for other large consumption markets."

Ethanol Express(TM) increases market access for producers such as Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Cargill, Inc.

"Ethanol Express(TM) has shortened our cycle times on equipment in an operating environment that has been full of tactical challenges," says Craig Huss, President, ADM Transportation Division.

According to Brian Silvey, vice president, Cargill, Inc. Ethanol Product Line, "Streamlining the transportation process allows our plants to be more efficient. These efficiencies benefit the gasoline consumers of California as well as the corn growers around our manufacturing facilities."

Southern California refiners are also experiencing the benefits of BNSF`s Ethanol Express(TM).

"Shell realized the importance of developing an arrangement that ensures an efficient, reliable source of ethanol will be supplied to California," says John Hollowell, director-distribution, Shell Oil Products US. "By working with BNSF we are confident that the needs of our customers and California residents will continue to be met."

A subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe (Nachrichten), BNSF operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with about 32,500 route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. The railway is among the world`s top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough low-sulphur coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at http://www.bnsf.com/ .

[Mannerl]

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Sees 3Q Net Up, Takes Chg




10-07-04 06:30 PM EST
FORT WORTH, Texas (Dow Jones)--Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (BNI) expects third-quarter earnings to exceed prior guidance, due to strong revenue growth and expense control.

The company also recorded an asbestos-related charge in the quarter of $288 million, or 76 cents a share.

In a press release Thursday, the railroad company said it expects to report third-quarter earnings of 75 cents to 77 cents a share, excluding the charge.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call, on average, estimated third-quarter earnings at 70 cents a share.

On July 27, the company said it expected per-share earnings to increase 20% to 25% in the third quarter from the 54 cents a share it earned in the year-ago period.

The company`s projection works out to earnings between 65 cents and 68 cents a share.

Two thirds of the charge represents Burlington Northern`s estimated cost of incurred but not reported liabilities associated with asbestos-related exposures.

The remainder relates to the company`s refinement of estimated environmental liabilities through the use of an actuary to estimate the remediation costs at known sites.

Burlington recently developed actuarial approaches for asbestos and environmental liabilities that reflect better estimates and are consistent with the current actuarial technique the company utilizes to estimate the total liability for personal injury claims from past incidents.

Due to the changes, Burlington expects an ongoing decrease in operating expenses beginning in the fourth quarter, helping earnings by 2 cents a share.

Wall Street expects the company to earn 69 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

[Mannerl]

es freut einem doch wenn so etwas wie eine Eisenbahngesellschaft den DJ schlägt!

[Mannerl]

Burlington Northern Shares Up After Outlook Boost




10-08-04 03:07 PM EST
Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Shares of freight railroad operator Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (BNI) rose Friday after the company announced a $288 million charge against earnings for environmental issues but said third-quarter profit before the charge would be higher than previously expected.

The company said late Thursday that it would earn 75 cents to 77 cents a share from operations in the July-September quarter, better than the 70 cents a share that had been forecast by analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call.

Those estimates, however, don`t include the $288 million after-tax charge the railroad said it had taken to reflect a change in the way it estimates liability to claims over asbestos-related illness and environmental contamination.

The charge is equal to 76 cents a share - offsetting the operating profit the company expects to report when it releases third-quarter results on Oct. 26.

At about 2:45 p.m. EDT, shares of Burlington Northern rose 82 cents, or 2.1%, to $39.98 in trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Company officials attributed said the better outlook for the third quarter to growing revenue and cost controls. They added that a decline in operating expenses would lift fourth-quarter earnings by two cents a share.

In a conference call Friday with investors, chief financial officer Thomas N. Hund said the company had enough data about claims to make a more confident estimate of future costs. "Five years ago or so we saw the number of claims ramp up and sort of held at more constant levels," Mr. Hund said. "Our payment a claimant has not jumped dramatically."

Mr. Hund said the charge should cover all future asbestos claims but wouldn`t cover costs of cleaning up new environmental contamination or pay claims of owners who charge that their property was tainted by pollution from the railroad.

Federal and state laws impose liability on industrial operators, such as railroads, for contamination. Burlington Northern is potentially liable for cleanup costs at about 20 Superfund sites, according to documents the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company said most of its environmental problems occurred decades ago.

The company`s Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. unit operates 32, 500 miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces.

[Mannerl]

Railroad shipping capacity is stretched in Oklahoma


Oct 10, 2004 (The Daily Oklahoman - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via
COMTEX) -- Labor shortages and increased demand from a rebounding economy are
stretching capacity for many railroads at the end of the fall shipping season,
all of which could translate into higher prices for consumers.

Railroads are reporting record volumes, including two of the state`s largest:
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. and Union Pacific Corp. But labor shortages,
bottlenecks and higher fuel costs have caused problems throughout the system.

"All major transport on the ground is highly constrained right now," said Jack
Waldo, trucking analyst for Stephens Inc. in Little Rock, Ark. "We`re seeing a
lot of truckload carriers operating at 100 percent capacity and less-than
truckload carriers operating between 85 percent and 100 percent. The rails seem
to not be able to take on very much more freight due to capacity constraints
resulting from service levels."

Late summer and early fall make up the busiest shipping times for many retailers
and manufacturers, who want to get their products in stores in time for the busy
holiday season.

[Mannerl]

BNSF Promotes Jeanne Michalski to Vice President, Human Resources and Medical

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) today announced the promotion of Jeanne Michalski to vice president, Human Resources and Medical, effective September 24. She reports to Matt Rose, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Michalski is responsible for all areas of Human Resources, including selection, retention and development of talent, compensation and benefits, diversity, employee relations and medical and environmental health.

She had previously served as assistant vice president, Human Resources. In that role, she played a major role in developing BNSF`s salaried employee training programs and in leading the way in the company`s performance management, leadership transformation and talent development initiatives.

Prior to joining BNSF`s predecessor Burlington Northern Railroad as assistant vice president, Human Resources Planning, in 1994, Michalski served in various Human Resources posts with GTE Telephone Operations and GTE Data Services.

Michalski received her Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida in 1990. She also holds Master`s and Bachelor`s degrees from the University of South Florida.

A subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe (Nachrichten), BNSF operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with about 32,500 route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. The railway is among the world`s top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough low-sulphur coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at http://www.bnsf.com/ .

The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company

[Mannerl]

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend


FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct 21, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Directors
of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE: BNI) voted on October 21,
2004, to pay a quarterly dividend of 17 cents per share on outstanding common
stock.

Dividends on common stock will be paid January 3, 2005, to shareholders of
record December 13, 2004. Common shares outstanding on September 30, 2004,
totaled approximately 374 million.

[Mannerl]

Burlington Northern Profit Fell 99% on Liabilities Charge




10-26-04 11:36 AM EST
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (BNI) reported a 99% drop in third-quarter net income as results included a charge to reflect changes in the way the company estimates asbestos and environmental liabilities.

The railroad operator Tuesday posted net income of $2 million, or a penny a share, down from $203 million, or 55 cents a share a year earlier.

The latest results include a previously disclosed asbestos-related charge of $ 288 million, or 76 cents a share. About two-thirds of the charge represents the company`s estimated cost of incurred but not reported liabilities associated with asbestos-related exposures. Previously, Burlington Northern accrued for these items on an as-reported basis. The remainder of the charge relates to the company`s refinement of estimated environmental liabilities at known sites. Most of the contamination at these sites occurred decades ago, Burlington Northern said earlier this month.

Revenue in the latest quarter rose 17% to $2.79 billion from $2.4 billion.

Burlington Northern said freight revenue advanced 16% to $2.74 billion, helped by fuel surcharges and price increases.

Consumer-products revenue increased 18% to $1.1 billion, driven by double- digit increases in the international intermodal, truckload and perishables sectors.

Industrial-products revenue rose 14% to $634 million, reflecting strong demand in the construction products, building products and petroleum products sectors.

[Mannerl]

keines Sau interessiert es...

...

AAR: Rail traffic up in October
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. railroads originated 1,406,933 carloads of freight in October 2004, up 1.9 percent (26,466 carloads) over October 2003, and an additional 929,197 trailers and containers, up 10.8 percent (90,505 units) over October 2003, according to this release issued by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Metallic ores (used in steelmaking), coal (destined mainly for power plants and export), and crushed stone and gravel (used in construction and elsewhere) paced U.S. rail carload gains. U.S. railroads originated 64,641 carloads of metallic ores in October 2004, up 17.1 percent (9,432 carloads) over October 2003; coal totaled 543,598 carloads in October 2004, up 1.5 percent (8,171 carloads) over last year; and carloads of crushed stone and gravel totaled 95,232, up 7.4 percent (6,595 carloads) over October 2003.

On the down side, carloads of grain totaled 93,107 in October 2004, down 6.4 percent (6,404 carloads) from 2003, while carloads of motor vehicles and equipment totaled 98,309, down 5.5 percent (5,736 carloads) compared with last year. Of the 19 major commodity categories tracked by the AAR, 13 saw carload gains in October 2004 compared with 2003.

For the first ten months of 2004, total U.S. rail carloadings of 14,491,501 units were up 2.9 percent (410,887 carloads) over last year. Coal accounted for 39 percent of U.S. rail carloads during this period; coal`s 5,699,881 carloads were up 2.9 percent (160,129 carloads) over the same period in 2003. Carloads of chemicals totaled 1,299,137 in 2004 through October, up 4.8 percent (59,863 carloads) over last year, while carloads of grain totaled 933,888 through October, up 4.8 percent (42,775 carloads). Carloads of primary metal products (predominantly steel) rose 9.0 percent (49,068 carloads) to 593,744 carloads in 2004 through October.

Commodities showing year-to-date carload declines through October include motor vehicles and equipment (down 3.2 percent, or 32,505 carloads, to 995,966 carloads) and food products (down 3.6 percent, or 13,308 carloads, to 354,568 carloads).

U.S. intermodal traffic in 2004 through October totaled 9,074,137 trailers and containers, up 9.6 percent (798,218 units) over 2003. Four of the top five highest-volume intermodal weeks in history for U.S. railroads, including the top three, occurred in October 2004.

Total volume after 43 weeks was estimated at 1.314 trillion ton-miles, up 3.9 percent from last year.

"Last week the government announced that GDP growth was 3.7 percent in the third quarter of 2004, marking the 12th straight quarter of positive economic growth and the sixth straight quarter in which growth has been at least 3.3 percent," noted AAR Vice President Craig F. Rockey. "That kind of growth could not occur without our freight railroads. This month`s rail traffic figures support the contention that the economy remains in solid growth mode."

Canadian rail carload traffic (which includes the U.S. operations of Canadian railroads) was up 3.1 percent (8,370 carloads) in October 2004 to 282,335 units, thanks largely to surges in carloads of chemicals (59,441 carloads, up 4.8 percent, or 2,712 carloads, over October 2003) and farm products excluding grain (13,075 carloads, up 15.8 percent, or 1,788 carloads, over October 2003). In October 2004, 14 of the 19 major commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw increases in Canadian carloadings compared with October 2003. Canadian intermodal traffic totaled 178,789 trailers and containers in October 2004, up 1.7 percent (3,035 units) over October 2003.

For the first ten months of 2004, Canadian carload traffic totaled 2,886,900 units, up 7.6 percent (202,765 carloads), while Canadian intermodal traffic was up 0.3 percent (5,602 units) to 1,805,875 trailers and containers.

Carloads originated on Transportación Ferroviaria Mexicana (TFM), a major Mexican railroad, were up 11.8 percent (3,958 carloads) in October 2004 to 37,532 carloads, while intermodal originations of 17,850 units were up 30.8 percent (4,205 trailers and containers). For the first ten months of 2004, TFM carloadings of 374,470 units were up 3.2 percent (11,472 carloads), while intermodal traffic rose 7.0 percent (10,550 units) to 161,361 trailers and containers.

For just the week ended October 30, the AAR reported the following totals for U.S. railroads: 353,924 carloads, up 1.8 percent from the corresponding week in 2003, with loadings up 0.8 percent in the East and up 2.6 percent in the West; intermodal volume of 235,876 trailers and containers (the highest weekly total ever, breaking the record set one week earlier), up 12.4 percent; and total volume of an estimated 33.1 billion ton-miles, which was up 2.2 percent from the equivalent week last year and tied the record set two weeks earlier for most freight moved in a single week.

For Canadian railroads during the week ended October 30, the AAR reported volume of 70,578 carloads, up 0.2 percent from last year; and 45,371 trailers and containers, up 3.5 percent from the corresponding week in 2003.

Combined cumulative rail volume for the first 43 weeks of 2004 on 15 reporting U.S. and Canadian railroads totaled 17,378,401 carloads, up 3.7 percent (613,652 carloads) from last year, and 10,880,012 trailers and containers, up 8.0 percent (803,820 units) from 2003`s first 43 weeks.

[Mannerl]

2004 Railroad Facts Available

Did you know that Class I U.S. railroads provided a record 1.55 trillion ton-miles of freight service in 2003? Or that Pennsylvania has more freight railroads but that Texas has more rail mileage than any other state? Or that Class I railroads spent almost $5.9 billion on capital improvements in 2003?

This information and more can be found in the 2004 edition of Railroad Facts, which has just been published by the Association of American Railroads’ Policy and Economics Department. This pocket-sized reference focuses mainly on Class I railroads and contains statistics and graphics for 2003 and selected prior years — in some cases as far back as 1929.

Railroad Facts contains more than 80 pages of facts and statistics on finance, traffic, operations, plant and equipment, employment and compensation, fuel consumption and cost, and loss and damage. It also contains a profile of each Class I railroad, Amtrak, the two major Canadian railroads, and the two largest Mexican railways.