BNSF Loads Record Annual Coal Tonnage in Powder River Basin

BNSF loaded an annual record 274.7 million tons of coal in the Powder River Basin (PRB), including Wyoming and Montana mines, during 2008, breaking the previous record set in 2007 by 5.9 million tons, or 2.2 percent. Average daily BNSF train loadings in the PRB for 2008 were 51.5 trains per day, more than a train a day ahead of the 2007 pace of 50.2 trains per day.

In December 2008, BNSF loaded a total of 22.9 million tons of coal in the PRB, up slightly from the 22.8 million tons loaded in December 2007. Average daily train loadings in the PRB for December 2008 totaled 51.0 trains per day, up from an average of 50.7 trains per day loaded in December 2007.