BNSF adds express intermodal service on northern tier

The new service, which connects Chicago and St. Paul, Minn. with Seattle, features expedited service seven days a week for westbound traffic and six days a week for eastbound traffic.    BNSF Railway has reintroduced expedited and truckload intermodal service on its northern corridor between Chicago and St. Paul, Minn., and Seattle.
   The new schedule, which began Sept. 14, features expedited service seven days a week for westbound traffic and six days a week for eastbound traffic.
   The high-speed services were made possible by almost $3.5 billion in infrastructure investment along the northern network during the past two years, including sidings and more double-track to allow trains to pass each other more easily. BNSF had to curtail some of its intermodal offerings after harsh winters the past couple years caused damage to some sections of track.
   Intermodal service between the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest is in high demand, especially for farm products from Washington and Oregon for domestic consumers and international imports and exports coming through the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.