February 2021
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February 2021 • The latest from Montana & Wyoming 
BNSF Announces 2021 Capital Investments Plan BNSF Railway announced its 2021 capital investment plan of $2.99 billion USD. This year’s capital plan focuses on projects that support the company’s growth and efficiency objectives, while maintaining a strong and reliable railroad.
“Every year through our capital plan, we work to ensure we are able to continue to operate a safe and efficient rail network, provide our customers with the level of service they have come to expect from BNSF as well as position ourselves for future growth opportunities,” said Katie Farmer, president and CEO. The largest component of this year’s capital plan will be to replace and maintain BNSF’s core network and related assets, similar to last year’s $3.08 billion capital program. Maintaining the railroad results in fewer unscheduled service outages that can slow down the rail network and reduce capacity.
The 2021 plan’s maintenance component is $2.41 billion and includes projects that replace and upgrade rail and track infrastructure like ballast and rail ties—the main components for the tracks on which BNSF trains operate—and maintain its rolling stock. This includes nearly 11,000 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work and the replacement of 428 miles of rail and approximately 2.6 million rail ties. Read more here! 
Several bills affecting tax policy were introduced in Montana’s legislature last week, and on Friday one of them ran into opposition from multiple industries, including Montana Grain Growers. Senate Bill 181 would raise taxes on out-of-state companies that sell things in Montana, but as it is currently written, it would also substantially raise taxes on a number of long-standing businesses already in the state. One of those industries is the grain industry, which is heavily dependent on rail shipping. Alison Vergeront, Executive Vice President of the Montana Grain Growers Association, also testified in opposition to the bill. “We assure you that this tax increase sought by this legislation will increase the cost of transportation,” Vergeront said. “Higher costs for railroads directly translates to higher shipping costs.” Read more here.
Celebrating Black History Month: Railroading Pioneers Black Americans made significant and lasting impacts on the railroading industry. Please join us in celebrating the innovations of two such leaders: Andrew Jackson Beard and Elijah McCoy. Andrew Jackson Beard (1849-1921)
Andrew Jackson Beard lived an extraordinary life as a Black inventor born in the 1800s. Beard revolutionized railroad safety with his invention of the Jenny automatic car coupler, which aimed to improve the knuckle coupler patented by Eli Janney in 1873 (patent US138405).
The knuckle coupler did the dangerous job of hooking railroad cars together, previously done manually by placing a pin in a link between the two cars. Beard himself lost a leg in a car coupling accident. As an ex-railroad worker, Beard’s experience prompted a tool that likely saved countless lives and limbs. 
Unlike the vast majority of inventors who never profit from their patents, Beard received $50,000—just shy of $1.5 million in today’s dollars—for the patent rights to his Jenny coupler. Beard also patented two rotary steam engine designs. Patent US433847 was granted in 1890 and Patent US478271 in 1892. It is unknown whether those patents were profitable for him.
Andrew Jackson Beard was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006. To learn more, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation website. Elijah McCoy (1844–1929)
At an early age, Elijah McCoy showed a strong interest in mechanics. At 15, he travelled to Scotland for an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering, returning home to Michigan certified as a mechanical engineer. Despite his qualifications, McCoy was unable to find work as an engineer in the United States due to racial barriers. Skilled professional positions were not available to African Americans, regardless of their training or background.
McCoy accepted a position as a fireman and oiler for the Michigan Central Railroad. It was in this line of work that he developed his first major invention. After studying the inefficiencies inherent in the existing system of oiling axles, McCoy invented a lubricating cup that distributed oil evenly over the engine's moving parts. He obtained a patent for this invention, which allowed trains to run continuously for long periods of time without stopping for maintenance. 
McCoy continued to refine his devices, receiving nearly 60 patents over the course of his life. While the majority of his inventions related to lubrication systems, he also developed designs for an ironing board, a lawn sprinkler and other machines.
Although McCoy's achievements were recognized while he was alive, his name did not appear on the majority of the products that he designed. Lacking capital to support the manufacturing of his lubricators in large numbers, he typically assigned his patent rights to his employers or sold them to investors. In 1920, toward the end of his life, McCoy formed the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company to produce lubricators bearing his name.
To learn more, visit the Biography website.
Best in Snow: Check Out These Amazing Winter Shots of BNSF Trains in Action In the midst of the many challenges people have faced in the past several months, it’s good to know that some things never change. BNSF trains keep moving freight, and railfans keep capturing magnificent images of them, even in cold winter weather. We’ve scoured the entries from this year’s Winter Photo Contest to find the 10 most un-brrr-lievable scenes! 
First Place Winner: Tom Danneman: "Northwest Montana’s Cabinet Mountain Range and a BNSF empty coal train reflect in the calm, cold waters of Trout Creek just west of Trout Creek, Mont., on January 27, 2020." The annual contest is hosted on BNSF Railway’s official Instagram and Twitter channels as well as our Friends of BNSF Facebook group.
Photographers should always remember that train photos must be taken safely, on public property. Keep a safe distance from railroad tracks, which are on private property. Trespassing on the tracks or right-of-way is illegal and dangerous.
Click here for all of our “best in snow” photos. Congratulations to our winners and honorable mentions and thank you to everyone who submitted an entry.
In the Community
The BNSF Railway Foundation invests in the communities across the 28 states through which BNSF operates, and where BNSF employees live, work and volunteer. Recent donations include: Reducing Methamphetamine Use in Montana The Montana Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing first-time teen methamphetamine use through public service messaging, public policy and community outreach. Founded by the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation, the project is a private-sector response to a critical public health issue. The BNSF Railway Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to the #AskMe campaign, which centers on a series of gripping videos from everyday individuals bravely sharing their personal experiences about the devastation that meth has had on their lives.
Helping on the Journey Out of Homelessness Based out of Cheyenne, Wyo., COMEA provides safe, secure and temporary shelter to men, women and children who are homeless. COMEA collaborates with community programs and resources to create opportunities for independent living. The BNSF Railway Foundation gave a $5,000 grant to COMEA’s Journey program, which helps with long-term planning for individuals who want to transition out of homelessness.
Using Equine Therapy to Assist Those in Need CHAPS, founded in August 2003 in Sheridan, Wyo., was originally established as a therapeutic riding program to serve children and adults with special needs. Over the years, CHAPS has expanded to offer therapeutic driving, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning. A $4,200 grant from the BNSF Railway Foundation will support CHAPS' Horses 'N' Heroes project, a non-mounted group program focusing on facilitating personal skill development that helps attend to and reduce emotional reactivity, assists in processing trauma and fosters the development of strength-based tools to work through triggers and emotions.
Emergencies – Call 800-832-5452 To report a vehicle stalled on a crossing, suspicious circumstances, malfunctioning crossing gates and lights or any other emergency, call 800-832-5452 immediately.
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