Burlington Northern Railroad opens most advanced operations center in railroad history; new center provides first ever, on-line/real-time management of entire railroad network at single location.

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 1995--Burlington Northern Railroad, one of the world's leading rail transportation companies with more than 22,000 route miles of track spanning 25 states and two Canadian provinces, Tuesday officially opened the nation's most advanced, state-of-the-art Network Operations Center (NOC) in north Fort Worth.

The 180,000-square-foot facility will house all of BN's dispatching and network management functions that control the railroad's 500 to 600 trains per day.

Gerald Grinstein, BN chairman and chief executive officer, remarked at the opening ceremonies, which were attended by Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena, "Today, we are witnessing the rebirth of the American railroad industry. This center represents the future of Burlington Northern, and all railroads, as we have applied the most advanced art of information technology to better serve the time-sensitive demands of our global customers and their ever-changing distribution needs.

"We can now see a complete picture of BN's total operations in one room and all at the same time. This will allow us to manage our more than 22,000 miles of track, 65,000 pieces of rolling stock and 30,000 employees more efficiently, safely and profitably, and also help us attain a level of asset utilization that is unparalleled in our industry."

BN's Network Operations Center features a 45,000-square-foot, fan-shaped room which is larger than a football field and almost three stories high. This is the facility's "nerve center," or control room, which will house dispatchers, network management people and other logistical support personnel.

The "nerve" center has a 216-foot electronic network display panel which consists of nine 18-feet-by-24-feet screens that picture all of BN's network, including all terminals and hub centers. The NOC was built to accommodate future expansion, and the expected addition of the Santa Fe Railway can be easily added to BN's NOC.

On Feb. 7, 1995, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe shareholders approved a merger agreement that, pending approval from the Interstate Commerce Commission, will create the nation's largest railroad with revenues approaching $8 billion. The ICC said it will issue its final decision no later than Aug. 23.

At the opening of the NOC, Grinstein added, "Today, America's railroads are at a significant crossroads. We are at an all-time high in terms of utilization capacity. Investments in track, equipment and plant have never been greater.

"The economics of freight hauling and distribution, especially in light of international trade agreements and changing patterns in materials utilization, all point in the direction of the railroad. I am very proud that we at BN have withstood some short-term hardships to make the necessary long-term investments that have enabled this railroad to position itself as the preeminent rail transportation company for the 21st Century."

Burlington Northern Railroad, headquartered in Fort Worth, operates the longest rail system in North America.

CONTACT: Burlington Northern Railroad

Richard Russack, 817/333-6116