Agriculture and Energy Network Update for Friday, January 16, 2026

Operational Performance  
BNSF operating teams are focused on maintaining positive performance momentum across the network. Average car velocity is steady week-over-week and is over two percent higher than the average for December. Terminal dwell improved by seven percent compared to the prior week, and approximately four percent from the previous month. Our local service compliance measure, which reflects our timeliness in handling carload freight, exceeds 91% and has also improved week-over-week and versus the prior month.
 

UP-NS Merger – Contact Your GOP Congressional Representative
The proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern (UP-NS) merger continues to face growing scrutiny and opposition from a wide range of stakeholders across the freight transportation industry, including ports, labor groups and elected officials at all levels of government. Many customers have asked about opportunities to engage on the merger issue. South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) is currently soliciting support from his Republican colleagues for a Congressional letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB), calling for a rigorous review of the proposed transaction to protect the interests of rail shippers and the public. Please consider contacting any GOP Congressional Representative with whom you have a connection to encourage them to join the letter.   
 
Visit here to read about BNSF’s position on the merger and preserving rail competition, and how and where to lend your voice to the issue. 
 
Service Expectations for the Week Ahead 
Winter weather will affect portions of the BNSF network through the weekend, particularly across the Northern and Central Plains and the Midwest, with strong winds (gusts up to 60-70 mph in some areas), periods of snow, and sharply colder temperatures. Cold and windy conditions will also extend into parts of the Southern Plains, including Texas. To support safe operations, train length restrictions will be in effect today in the northernmost regions as conditions warrant. Weather impacts are expected to gradually taper off through the weekend, allowing operations to normalize as conditions improve. 
 
As always, we thank you for your business and appreciate the opportunity to serve as your transportation service provider. We welcome your feedback and questions.