Increases in rail shipments this year by Fort Worth-based BNSF Railway led to $6 billion in revenue for the third quarter, a 2% rise over the same period last year.
The Class 1 railroad said its revenue for the first nine months of the year increased by 1% to $17.4 billion over last year. BNSF also saw its third-quarter net income rise 5% to $1.4 billion during the same period, according to an earnings report.
BNSF said it is hauling more consumer goods, including automobiles, from the West Coast after vehicle production increases. The railroad also noted small increases in shipping agricultural products, due to slightly higher grain exports that were partially offset by lower domestic grain and feed shipments.
However, other shipments — for coal, petroleum and construction products — decreased by 2% in the third quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, the report said. A slowdown in construction led to lower demand for building materials while coal shipments decreased due to mine production challenges, BNSF said.
A company spokesperson said the railroad is dedicated to servicing its customers.
“As we enter parcel peak season, we continue to remain focused on our customers, striving to keep improving our service through greater efficiencies, more streamlined operations, and safely delivering goods for the nation’s supply chain,” said Kendall Kirkham Sloan, director of external communications at BNSF.
Third-quarter operating expenses increased slightly although the railroad noted that its year-to-date expenses for the first nine months actually decreased by 2%. BNSF said the fuel expenses decreased by 3% in the third quarter compared to the same period last year, driven primarily by improved fuel efficiency.
Cost management efforts and litigation accruals prompted an 8% decrease in materials and other expenses, the third-quarter report showed.
Other expenses increased 7% in the third quarter due to inflation and other rising costs as well as continued cargo security measures aboard trains.
BNSF said its compensation and benefits expenses decreased slightly in the third quarter of 2025 compared to last year. The railroad said there was a slight increase in compensation expenses for the first nine months of the year, attributed to wage inflation but those increases were “almost fully offset by employee productivity,” the report said.
The railway has bolstered its freight service through partnerships domestically and internationally.
In August, the company announced a new partnership with Jacksonville, Florida-based CSX for seamless freight service between the western and eastern parts of the United States.
BNSF also partnered with J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. and GMXT, Mexico’s largest rail provider, to launch the Quantum de México freight service between the U.S. and Mexico.
Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org.
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