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BNSF Shipping procedures video

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Posted by CMStPnP on Monday, February 4, 2019 8:25 AM

SD70Dude
And look at that modern computer system!  CN is still using the ancient program (SRS ?) that they acquired from Santa Fe around 1990. 

BNSF is one of the leaders in IT in the DFW area as far as technology is concerned.  I run into their employees frequently and they are all over the metroplex at various IT conferences scooping up and learning about the latest technology (they fly a lot out of DFW as well).    So in my view they must pay well to motivate that kind of behavior because it is rare.   

A lot of IT employees will just sit on their arse and wait for the world to change around them and only start moving lethargically towards changing things after the Executive suite starts complaining about the IT department (as you see with your own employer) after the Executive suite pinpoints issues with sales with their ability to use IT effectively.

I did a short IT project at very well led and aggressive trucking company in the 1990s after they were becomming a large BNSF client and they asked among other things to duplicate as much as possible the BNSF website as they were very envious at the ability to track a truck trailer anywhere on the BNSF system and forecast when it would arrive as well as update the forecast if there was a delay.   They wanted a carbon copy of that ability for themselves among other things on their wish list.

BNSF IT Department is very capable  and competitive though in the DFW area.  I'll give them that much.     Though UP railroad marketing is still the best based on my experience.   Have not seen UP IT folks anywhere but have run into UP railroad marketing and they not only dress sharp but have impeccable manners, generally arrive 10-15 min before the time  of the meeting, pockets full of marketing trinkets to hand out (lol), etc.

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Posted by SD70Dude on Sunday, February 3, 2019 11:54 PM

West Fraser owns many mills across North America:

https://www.westfraser.com/company/locations

And look at that modern computer system!  CN is still using the ancient program (SRS ?) that they acquired from Santa Fe around 1990. 

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, February 3, 2019 10:44 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr
Several times it shows cars going over a hump. Imagine that - a tool for efficiency! Wonder when other railroads will catch on? CSX - are you watching? [heavy sarcasm]

Black magic.

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, February 3, 2019 1:11 PM

oltmannd

Nice video.  Thanks for posting the link.  Pretty much "bread and butter" on how car load service works.  RRs trying like mad to do everything the "e commerce" way.  

I noticed 24 hrs free to load, 48 to unload. 

 

We get 48 hours to unload starting the clock at midnight of the day the car was spotted. Coincidently, we get a lot of lumber form West Fraser, one of the mills shown in the video.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, February 3, 2019 11:29 AM

Thanks for sharing!  6:51 long.  Lot of acronyms for the various apps and electronic forms.  

Saw at least one ex-SF blue and yellow unit in there from 3:43 to 3:43.  Also an ALCO (?) in the right background for a couple seconds (literally) at about 5:30. 

Several times it shows cars going over a hump.  Imagine that - a tool for efficiency!  Wonder when other railroads will catch on?  CSX - are you watching? [heavy sarcasm]

At the end: "BNSF has built a reputation for best in class customer service."

- PDN.  

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by zardoz on Saturday, February 2, 2019 5:00 PM

Just a thought...you might consider moving this to the "Factual..." thread.

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Posted by oltmannd on Saturday, February 2, 2019 1:14 PM

Nice video.  Thanks for posting the link.  Pretty much "bread and butter" on how car load service works.  RRs trying like mad to do everything the "e commerce" way.  

I noticed 24 hrs free to load, 48 to unload. 

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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BNSF Shipping procedures video
Posted by CMStPnP on Saturday, February 2, 2019 12:42 PM

Some interesting items in there....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMLAx4J_cfI 

 

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