On Tuesday, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad’s motion for summary judgment was granted in a dispute between the large railroad and the Central Montana Rail Co., a short line. The motion from Central Montana Rail Co. to dismiss a years-long suit was denied. The conflict, which has been brewing for quite some time, hinges on a choice by BNSF to stop payments to the short line railroad on a per-car rate. Those had been received for delivering grain from along the 87-mile Geraldine line to the main BNSF rail line. BNSF had reportedly said they would continue with payments to Central Montana Rail Co. if the short line would publish its rates under “Chapter 11 Rules.” These would require that Central Montana Rail Co. publish the breakdown of its rates to show what money went where.
Haylie Shipp
