Railroads tell Kansas committee they move large grain volumes, back safety and biodiesel use

Topeka — Representatives from BNSF, Union Pacific and the Kansas Railroad Association told the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on Thursday that rail lines and shuttle services are central to moving Kansas grain to domestic and export markets.

The presentations sketched the scale of rail activity in Kansas and efforts by the companies to expand shuttle service, reduce truck traffic and pursue emissions goals, while providing details on local facilities, volumes and safety investments.

Tom Bruno, representing the Kansas Railroad Association, said, "We have over 4,700 miles of active rail in the state of Kansas," and described rail’s statewide reach into agricultural areas. Bridal Cammie, identified as director of wheat, fertilizer and specialty crops for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, described BNSF’s shuttle network and said the company has 21 shuttle‑qualified elevators in Kansas. Cammie said BNSF’s shuttle program has grown rapidly: from about 10 hundred‑car facilities in early 2020 to "over 426 facilities in North America" in 2024, and noted the company had added three Kansas elevators recently, including Sterling and Holcomb.

Haley Warner, Union Pacific’s export grain marketing manager, said UP operates more than 2,100 miles of track in Kansas, employs 875 people in the state and reported more than $506 million in capital investment over the previous five years. Warner told the committee Kansas was a major origin state for grain, saying that "in 2024, Kansas originated 239,000,000 bushels of grain on Union Pacific Railroad," with exports to Mexico and Gulf ports among the primary destination flows.

Committee members and presenters highlighted the highway impacts of unit trains. When Representative Minnix asked how many bushels a unit train holds, Cammie replied "370" and said a single 100‑car shuttle can remove roughly "about 350 to 400 trucks" from highways. Committee members raised local operational concerns, including emergency vehicle delays at crossings in Winfield; BNSF staff described recent double‑tracking and other capacity work intended to reduce slow zones on busy corridors.

Railroad witnesses emphasized safety investments and emerging technology. Andy Williams, BNSF public affairs executive, said railroads are increasing wayside detectors and other safety systems and told lawmakers, "railroads are the safest mode of transportation. 99.9% of all goods make it to their destination, without any kind of incident." Presenters also said companies are testing biodiesel blends and lower‑emission fuels to meet corporate emissions goals.

The committee did not take action; presenters and lawmakers agreed to follow up on specific local crossing and safety questions. The discussion closed as the panel moved on to the day’s bill hearings.