News Release

Railroad Hosts "We Love Truckers" Event

FORT WORTH, Texas, August 25, 2004:

The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) today honored the nation’s truck drivers by hosting an event at BNSF’s Alliance Intermodal Facility in celebration of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, August 22-28.

More than 1,000 truck drivers are expected to enter BNSF’s Alliance, Texas, Intermodal Facility, and see "We Love Truckers" signage and enjoy refreshments and snacks passed out by BNSF’s truckload sales team and executives from BNSF’s trucking company partners, such as Dart Transit Company.

In addition to the event in Texas, 11 BNSF intermodal facilities across the railway’s 32,500-mile network posted "We Love Truckers" banners to say thanks to the nation’s truck drivers.

"The ‘We Love Truckers’ event is our way of saying thanks to our trucking company partners and their drivers who, along with railroad people, are the backbone of ensuring the products we use daily are delivered safely and efficiently," says John Hickerson, BNSF assistant vice president, Truckload Sales. "By working together, trucks and trains are providing transportation solutions for companies across the nation."

Intermodal continues to be a growth area for BNSF. BNSF’s truckload volume grew 20 percent in the first half of 2004.

"Trucks deliver virtually every product and contribute to virtually every service used by Americans. Truck drivers truly do get the job done," says Joyce Jordan, Dart Transit Company chief operating officer and executive vice president.  "BNSF and Dart are cooperating to get the job done more efficiently than ever before. As one of America’s largest intermodal suppliers, Dart Intermodal appreciates the recognition and support that BNSF is giving to America’s professional truck drivers. Together we move America’s products quickly, economically, and safely."

"BNSF’s participation in Truck Driver Appreciation Week is a perfect example of the integration between truckers and the railroads in this day and age. We have become connected at the hip, from a strategic perspective," Bill Webb, president and chief executive officer, Texas Motor Transportation Association. "The ability for truckers and BNSF to meet customer requirements rests solely on our ability to maintain a cost-effective and efficient supply chain and our people are the key. BNSF appreciates our drivers and we appreciate the partnership that has developed between our industries."

A subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE:BNI), BNSF operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with about 32,500 route miles covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. The railway is among the world's top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough low-sulphur coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at www.bnsf.com.

BNSF Headquarters
BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000