Ever wondered what the journey of a rail car really looks like? The BNSF network is a complex system, relying on lots of coordination, advanced technology, and teamwork. Unlike a unit train where several cars carry the same commodity directly from one origin to destination, merchandise trains are made up of single cars with multiple types of freight and bound for multiple customer locations.. It’s like a big puzzle coming together, made from a variety of different supply chains. From the first m

BNSF Railway (short for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway) is one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America with over 8,000 locomotives It operates over 32,500 miles of track across 28 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate controlled by Warren Buffett (acquired in 2010). While Union Pacific owns the Tehachapi Loop seen here, BNSF has trackage rights, allowing its trains to use this route. | Dean Croke