BNSF Railway is one of the leading railroad companies in the whole world. While writing this story I read a book "Leaders Count - the Story of BNSF Railway" which describes well why and how the company became so successfull, the success that seems to follow BNSF Railway every step as long as it has been in the CEO Matt Roses guidance.    

Picture: One of the new evolution series mighty diesels from the BNSFs main supplier General Electric sits idling before its dash out of the Seattle across the mountains with covered hoppers to be filled with export grain. The ES44 modrn locomotive is also the latest in the fuel economy, a great work horse for a railroading business. 

A little on the BNSF History
BNSF Railway has its roots 150 years back in the history. During its voyage in time the railroad has included 390 other railroads to create the current huge transportation corporation. Currently the system covers almost all of the U.S. West, 28 states and 2 Canadian provinces. The latest merger brought the 2 front row operators systems the Burlington Northern Railway and the Santa Fe Railway together around 10 years ago. This was the end of a long chain of mergers as currently BNSF Railway has such a great market share that no new major mergers are probably allowed. 

BNSF in figures  
Lets ta ke a quick look at the figures for BNSF:
Turnover (2008 estimate): 15,8 billion USD
Growth (2008 estimate): 800 million USD 
Employs: 40'000 people
Railroad Route Miles: 32'000 
Locomotives: 6,700
Freight Cars: 220'000