Safety and Technical Training
BNSF has made a significant investment in safety and technical training for employees. We use a combination of field training, on-the-job training, long-distance learning and technical training at a centralized training center.
Our Technical Training Center (TTC), located on the campus of Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan., is where we conduct most of our technical training. The center features simulation and lab equipment representing all major equipment types, including locomotive simulators, power-operated switches, grade-crossing simulators, radio and transmission networks, and freight car and locomotive air brakes. Instructors teach about 9,000 employees and 2,000 other rail industry employees each year at the TTC. This training facility is broadly recognized as the best in the industry, and many shortline railroads send their employees to the TTC to be trained.
Our field training program includes mobile field trainers, instructors and maintenance-of-way field instructors who trained about 24,000 craft employees in 2008 through on-site new-hire classes, rule reviews and recertification training.
Our network of 48 locomotive simulators, based both at the TTC and in the field, provides distance-learning opportunities where employees work. The simulations can be customized to reflect various train types, weather, terrain and times of day.