As an eastbound UP coal load approaches on Main 1, descending from Logan Hill, let's talk a bit about coal production in the Powder River Basin. UP and BNSF invested $100 million between 2006 and 2008 to add a fourth main track over Logan Hill. 2008 holds the record for high point of coal production, with roughly 496 million short tons of coal taken out of the basin. That translated to somewhere around 100 trains per 24 hours. With the reduction in demand for coal, output has steadily been decreasing. In 2024, roughly 191 million short tons were taken out. That comes out to about 36 trains per 24 hours. It is no wonder that Main 4 is now being used for storage of cars!
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