(The following report appeared at GrainNet.com on October 22.)
DECATUR, Ill. — For the week ending October 15, BNSF reported 9,239 past due (3 or more days late) grain car orders.
The past due orders were an average 12.2 days late.
The delay occurred as a result of the surge in wheat exports that have strained the capacity of export elevators and rail lines in the Texas Gulf region.
Union Pacific (UP) reports 1,200 grain car orders that are 3 to 4 days late.
The surge in wheat exports has affected BNSF more than the other U.S. railroads due to its large market share of wheat traffic.
In 2005, BNSF originated 53 percent of U.S. railroad wheat movements.
UP originated 22 percent.