BNSF to add faster intermodal service on northern corridor

New capacity investment will translate into better service, according to the railroad.    BNSF Railway will offer extra expedited intermodal service on its northern network beginning Sept. 14, the company said Tuesday. The new service schedules were made possible by $3.5 billion in new capacity upgrades in the past two years, including double tracking certain stretches between Chicago and Seattle.
   Shippers will be able to book expedited service seven days a week for westbound traffic and six days a week for eastbound traffic, one more day than is currently offered in the region.
   The infrastructure upgrades, along with investments in more equipment and crews, have helped BNSF improve train velocity and predictability in recent months, BNSF said. Service has been severely hampered during the past couple of years by severe winter weather and construction to add capacity.
   BNSF’s expedited service averages about 800 miles a day compared to about 600 miles a day for standard service.