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EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - BNSF RAILWAY COFinancial_Report.xls
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CEO AND CFO CERTIFICATION - BNSF RAILWAY COrailway33112-ex321.htm
EX-31.1 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION - BNSF RAILWAY COrailway33112-ex311.htm
EX-31.2 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION - BNSF RAILWAY COrailway33112-ex312.htm
EX-12.1 - COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES - BNSF RAILWAY COrailwayratioofearningstofi.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the transition period from            to        
Commission file number            1-6324
BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
41-6034000
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
2650 Lou Menk Drive
Fort Worth, Texas
(Address of principal executive offices)
76131-2830
(Zip Code)
(800) 795-2673
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 
 
 
Yes  [x]  No  [  ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
 
Yes  [x]  No  [  ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [  ]  Accelerated filer  [  ]   Non-accelerated filer  [x]  Smaller reporting company  [  ]
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
 
Yes  [  ]  No  [x]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
  
Shares Outstanding at
May 4, 2012
Common stock, $1.00 par value
  
1,000 shares

Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H (2).



Table of Contents
 


2


PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.
Financial Statements.

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Revenues
 
$
4,926

 
$
4,470

 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
1,110

 
1,069

Fuel
 
1,095

 
939

Purchased services
 
522

 
511

Depreciation and amortization
 
462

 
446

Equipment rents
 
202

 
192

Materials and other
 
285

 
222

Total operating expenses
 
3,676

 
3,379

Operating income
 
1,250

 
1,091

Interest expense
 
15

 
22

Interest income, related parties
 
(12
)
 
(6
)
Other expense, net
 
2

 
3

 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
1,245

 
1,072

Income tax expense
 
456

 
389

Net income
 
$
789

 
$
683


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Net income
 
$
789

 
$
683

 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
     Change in amortization of accumulated actuarial losses, net of tax expense of $2 million and $0, respectively
 
2

 

     Change in fuel hedge mark-to-market, net of tax benefit of $4 million and tax expense of $25 million
 
(8
)
 
40

     Change in accumulated other comprehensive income of equity method investees
 
(2
)
 
1

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
(8
)
 
41

Total comprehensive income
 
$
781

 
$
724


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


4


BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
 

Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
310

 
$
293

Accounts receivable, net
 
1,250

 
1,265

Materials and supplies
 
836

 
739

Current portion of deferred income taxes
 
204

 
295

Other current assets
 
269

 
190

Total current assets
 
2,869

 
2,782

 
 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,233 and $1,056, respectively
 
48,485

 
48,033

Goodwill
 
14,803

 
14,803

Intangible assets, net
 
1,343

 
1,420

Other assets
 
1,962

 
1,949

Total assets
 
$
69,462

 
$
68,987

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
 
$
2,877

 
$
3,093

Long-term debt due within one year
 
230

 
226

Total current liabilities
 
3,107

 
3,319

 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes
 
15,897

 
15,847

Long-term debt
 
1,775

 
1,845

Intangible liabilities, net
 
1,426

 
1,496

Casualty and environmental liabilities
 
869

 
905

Pension and retiree health and welfare liability
 
733

 
769

Other liabilities
 
1,042

 
998

Total liabilities
 
24,849

 
25,179

Commitments and contingencies (see Notes 2, 6 and 7)
 

 

Stockholder’s equity:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $1 par value, 1,000 shares authorized;
issued and outstanding and paid-in capital
 
42,920

 
42,920

Retained earnings
 
6,444

 
5,655

Intercompany notes receivable
 
(4,540
)
 
(4,564
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(211
)
 
(203
)
Total stockholder’s equity
 
44,613

 
43,808

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity
 
$
69,462

 
$
68,987


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
789

 
$
683

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
462

 
446

Deferred income taxes
 
143

 
208

Long-term casualty and environmental liabilities, net
 
(46
)
 
(19
)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan
 
(36
)
 

Other, net
 

 
(33
)
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
 
16

 
(183
)
Materials and supplies
 
(97
)
 
(74
)
Other current assets
 
(97
)
 
(128
)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
 
(140
)
 
(134
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
994

 
766

 
 
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures excluding equipment
 
(489
)
 
(444
)
Acquisition of equipment
 
(298
)
 
(63
)
Other, net
 
(169
)
 
(95
)
Net cash used for investing activities
 
(956
)
 
(602
)
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Payments on long-term debt
 
(46
)
 
(52
)
Net decrease (increase) in intercompany notes receivable classified as equity
 
24

 
(107
)
Other, net
 
1

 

Net cash used for financing activities
 
(21
)
 
(159
)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
17

 
5

Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
 
293

 
10

End of period
 
$
310

 
$
15

 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
30

 
$
31

Capital investments accrued but not yet paid
 
$
118

 
$
100

Income taxes paid, net of refunds
 
$
273

 
$
162

Non-cash asset financing
 
$

 
$
1


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

6


BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Common Stock
and Paid-in
Capital

 
Retained
Earnings

 
Inter-
Company
Notes
Receivable

 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

 
Total
Stockholder’s
Equity

Balance at December 31, 2011
 
$
42,920

 
$
5,655

 
$
(4,564
)
 
$
(203
)
 
$
43,808

Change in intercompany notes receivable
 

 

 
24

 

 
24

Comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 
789

 

 
(8
)
 
781

Balance at March 31, 2012
 
$
42,920

 
$
6,444

 
$
(4,540
)
 
$
(211
)
 
$
44,613


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

7


BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1.
Accounting Policies and Interim Results
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with BNSF Railway Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, including the financial statements and notes thereto. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of BNSF Railway Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively BNSF Railway or the Company). BNSF Railway is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (BNSF), and is the principal operating subsidiary of BNSF. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
On February 12, 2010, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a Delaware corporation (Berkshire), acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation common stock that it did not already own. The acquisition was completed through the merger (the Merger) of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation with and into R Acquisition Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire (Merger Sub), with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity. In connection with the Merger, Merger Sub changed its name to “Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC” and remains an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire. Berkshire's cost of acquiring BNSF was pushed-down to establish a new accounting basis for BNSF beginning as of February 13, 2010.
 
The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the entire year. In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, except as disclosed) necessary for a fair statement of BNSF Railway’s consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2012, and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Certain prior year amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been adjusted to correctly reflect the presentation of changes in accrued but unpaid capital items. The correction did not affect the Company's previously reported results of operations or financial position.

2.
Fuel
 
Fuel costs represented 30 percent and 28 percent of total operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Due to the significance of diesel fuel expenses to the operations of BNSF Railway and the historical volatility of fuel prices, in the past the Company had entered into derivatives to partially mitigate the risk of fluctuations in the price of its diesel fuel purchases. Previously, the Company entered into fuel-derivative instruments based on management’s evaluation of current and expected diesel fuel price trends with the intent of protecting operating margins and overall profitability from adverse fuel price changes. However, to the extent the Company hedged portions of its fuel purchases, it may not realize the impact of decreases in fuel prices. Conversely, to the extent the Company did not hedge portions of its fuel purchases, it may be adversely affected by increases in fuel prices.
 
The Company has not entered into any new derivative contracts subsequent to the Merger and all open derivatives at March 31, 2012, are expected to expire during the second quarter of 2012.

As of March 31, 2012, BNSF Railway’s total fuel-derivative positions, of which the majority are designated as cash flow hedges, covered approximately 1 percent, of the average annual locomotive fuel consumption over the past three years. Derivative positions are closely monitored to ensure that they will not exceed actual fuel requirements in any period. As of March 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, BNSF Railway has existing fuel-derivative agreements covering approximately 10 million gallons and 36 million gallons, respectively.


8

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


Derivative Activities
 
The Company formally documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, as well as the risk management objective and strategy for the use of the hedging instrument. This documentation includes linking the derivatives that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets or liabilities on the balance sheet, commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company assesses at the time a derivative contract is entered into, and at least quarterly thereafter, whether the derivative item is effective in offsetting the changes in fair value or cash flows. Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness, as defined by authoritative accounting guidance related to derivatives and hedging, is recognized in current period earnings. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) as a separate component of stockholder’s equity and reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedge transaction affects earnings. Cash flows related to fuel derivatives are classified as operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
 
BNSF Railway monitors its derivative instrument positions and credit ratings of its counterparties and does not anticipate any losses due to counterparty nonperformance. All counterparties were financial institutions with credit ratings of A2/A- or higher as of March 31, 2012. Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments are covered by master netting arrangements whereby, in the event of a default, the non-defaulting party has the right to setoff any amounts payable against any obligation of the defaulting party under the same counterparty agreement. The maximum amount of loss the Company could incur from credit risk based on the gross fair value of derivative instruments in asset positions and the Company’s net asset exposure to counterparty credit risk was $7 million and $24 million as of March 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively.
 
The amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for derivative transactions were as follows, presented net of any master netting arrangements (in millions):
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Short-term derivative asset
 
$
7

 
$
24

      Total derivatives
 
$
7

 
$
24

 
The table below contain summaries of all derivative positions reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements, presented gross of any master netting arrangements (in millions):
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
 
Asset Derivatives
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
Balance Sheet
Location
Asset derivatives designated as
hedging instruments under ASC 815-20
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel contracts
 
$
7

 
$
24

 
Other current assets
Total asset derivatives designated as
hedging instruments under ASC 815-20
 
$
7

 
$
24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total asset derivatives
 
$
7

 
$
24

 
 
 

9

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


The Effects of Derivative Instruments Gains and Losses
for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

Derivatives in ASC 815-20 Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI)
on Derivatives (Effective Portion)
 
 
2012
 
2011
Fuel Contracts
 
$
9

 
$
90

Total derivatives
 
$
9

 
$
90

 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized from
AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)
 
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
from AOCL into Income
 
 
Fuel Contracts
 
Fuel expense
 
$
21

 
$
25

Total derivatives
 
 
 
$
21

 
$
25

 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivatives
(Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)a
 
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
in Income on Derivatives
 
 
Fuel Contracts
 
Fuel expense
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(6
)
Total derivatives
 
 
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(6
)
No portion of the gain or (loss) was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the periods then ended.
 
As of March 31, 2012, the Company estimates that within the next twelve months approximately $6 million in pre-tax hedge instrument gains will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings.
 
The Company utilizes a market approach using the forward commodity price for the periods hedged to value its fuel-derivative swaps and costless collars. As such, the fair values of these instruments are classified as Level 2 valuations under authoritative accounting guidance related to fair value measurements.
 
Additional disclosure related to derivative instruments is included in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

3.
Accounts Receivable, Net
 
Accounts receivable, net consists of freight and other receivables, reduced by an allowance for bill adjustments and uncollectible accounts, based upon expected collectibility. At March 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, $48 million and $38 million, respectively, of such allowances had been recorded.
 
At March 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, $39 million and $31 million, respectively, of accounts receivable were greater than 90 days old.


10

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


4.
Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities

Amortized intangible assets and liabilities were as follows (in millions):
 
As of March 31, 2012
 
As of December 31, 2011
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
Amortized intangible assets
$
2,013

 
$
670

 
$
2,013

 
$
593

Amortized intangible liabilities
$
2,056

 
$
630

 
$
2,056

 
$
560

    
Amortized intangible assets primarily consisted of internally developed software and franchise & customer assets. Amortized intangible liabilities primarily consisted of customer and shortline contracts which were in an unfavorable position at the date of Merger.
 
Amortized intangible assets and liabilities are amortized based on the estimated pattern in which the economic benefits are expected to be consumed or on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives.
 
Amortization of intangible assets and liabilities was as follows (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Amortization of intangible assets
$
77

 
$
78

Amortization of intangible liabilities
$
70

 
$
74

 
Amortization of intangible assets and liabilities for the next five years is expected to approximate the following (in millions):
 
Amortization of
intangible assets
 
Amortization of
intangible liabilities
Remainder of 2012
$
229

 
$
212

2013
$
306

 
$
252

2014
$
306

 
$
179

2015
$
54

 
$
115

2016
$
31

 
$
101


5.
Other Assets
 
In July 2010, the Company entered into a low-income housing partnership (the Partnership) as the limited partner, holding a 99.9% interest in the Partnership. The Partnership is a variable interest entity (VIE), with the purpose of developing and operating low-income housing rental properties. Recovery of the Company’s investment is accomplished through the utilization of low-income housing tax credits and the tax benefits of Partnership losses. The general partner, who holds a 0.1% interest in the Partnership, is an unrelated third party and is responsible for controlling and managing the business and financial operation of the Partnership. As the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Partnership’s economic performance, the Company is not the primary beneficiary and therefore, does not consolidate the Partnership. As of March 31, 2012, the assets of the unconsolidated Partnership totaled approximately $510 million. The Company does not provide financial support to the Partnership that it was not previously contractually obligated to provide.


11

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


The Company has accounted for its investment in the Partnership using the effective yield method. The risk of loss of the Company's investment in the Partnership is considered low as an affiliate of the general partner has provided certain guarantees of tax credits and minimum annual returns. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss related to the Partnership is the unamortized investment balance. The following table provides information as of March 31, 2012 (in millions):
Unamortized
investment balance
classified as Other Assets
 
Remaining
commitments classified
as Other Liabilities
 
Maximum
exposure to loss
$
485

 
$
148

 
$
485

 
Of the remaining commitments, $130 million is due at the end of 2012 and $18 million is due at the end of 2013.

6.
Debt

Fair Value of Debt Instruments
 
At March 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the fair value of BNSF Railway's debt, excluding capital leases, was $906 million and $956 million, respectively, while the book value, which also excludes capital leases and the associated unamortized fair value adjustment under acquisition method accounting related to capital leases, was $822 million and $838 million, respectively. The fair value of BNSF Railway's debt is primarily based on market value price models using observable market-based data for the same or similar issues, or on the estimated rates that would be offered to BNSF Railway for debt of the same remaining maturities (Level 2 inputs). The fair value of the Company's cash equivalents approximates their carrying value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
 
Guarantees
 
As of March 31, 2012, BNSF Railway has not been called upon to perform under the guarantees specifically disclosed in this footnote and does not anticipate a significant performance risk in the foreseeable future.
 
Debt and other obligations of non-consolidated entities guaranteed by the Company as of March 31, 2012, were as follows (dollars in millions):
 
Guarantees
 
 
 
 
BNSF
Railway
Ownership
Percentage

 
Principal
Amount
Guaranteed

 
Maximum
Future
Payments

 
Maximum
Recourse
Amounta

 
Remaining
Term
(in years)

 
Capitalized
Obligations

 
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
0.5
%
 
$
190

 
$
190

 
$

 
Termination of Ownership

 
$
2

b 
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
%
 
N/Ad

 
N/Ad

 
N/Ad

 
5

 
$
9

c 
All other
%
 
$
10

 
$
16

 
$

 
Various

 
$

 
a 
Reflects the maximum amount the Company could recover from a third party other than the counterparty.
b 
Reflects capitalized obligations that are recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
c 
Reflects the asset and corresponding liability for the fair value of these guarantees required by authoritative accounting guidance related to guarantees.
d 
There is no cap to the liability that can be sought from BNSF Railway for BNSF Railway’s negligence or the negligence of the indemnified party. However, BNSF Railway could receive reimbursement from certain insurance policies if the liability exceeds a certain amount.

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
 
Santa Fe Pacific Pipelines, Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BNSF Railway, has a guarantee in connection with its remaining special limited partnership interest in Santa Fe Pacific Pipeline Partners, L.P. (SFPP), a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., to be paid only upon default by the partnership. All obligations with respect to the guarantee will cease upon termination of ownership rights, which would occur upon a put notice issued by BNSF Railway or the exercise of the call rights by the general partners of SFPP.


12

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
 
In the third quarter of 2007, BNSF Railway entered into an indemnity agreement with Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP (Chevron Phillips), granting certain rights of indemnity from BNSF Railway, in order to facilitate access to a new storage facility. Under certain circumstances, payment under this obligation may be required in the event Chevron Phillips were to incur certain liabilities or other incremental costs resulting from trackage access.
 
All Other
 
As of March 31, 2012, BNSF Railway guaranteed $10 million of debt. These guarantees expire between 2012 and 2026.

Indemnities
 
In the ordinary course of business, BNSF Railway enters into agreements with third parties that include indemnification clauses. The Company believes that these clauses are generally customary for the types of agreements in which they are included. At times, these clauses may involve indemnification for the acts of the Company, its employees and agents, indemnification for another party’s acts, indemnification for future events, indemnification based upon a certain standard of performance, indemnification for liabilities arising out of the Company’s use of leased equipment or other property, or other types of indemnification. Despite the uncertainty whether events which would trigger the indemnification obligations would ever occur, the Company does not believe that these indemnity agreements will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. Additionally, the Company believes that, due to lack of historical payment experience, the fair value of indemnities cannot be estimated with any amount of certainty. However, the fair value of any such amount would be immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Agreements that contain unique circumstances, particularly agreements that contain guarantees that indemnify for another party’s acts, are disclosed separately, if appropriate. Unless separately disclosed above, no fair value liability related to indemnities has been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Variable Interest Entities - Leases
 
BNSF Railway has entered into various equipment lease transactions in which the structure of the lease contains VIEs. These VIEs were created solely for the lease transactions and have no other activities, assets or liabilities outside of the lease transactions. In some of the arrangements, BNSF Railway has the option to purchase some or all of the equipment at a fixed-price, thereby creating variable interests for BNSF Railway in the VIEs. The future minimum lease payments associated with the VIE leases were approximately $4 billion as of March 31, 2012.
 
In the event the leased equipment is destroyed, BNSF Railway is obligated to either replace the equipment or pay a fixed loss amount. The inclusion of the fixed loss amount is a standard clause within equipment lease arrangements. Historically, BNSF Railway has not incurred significant losses related to this clause. As such, it is not anticipated that the maximum exposure to loss would materially differ from the future minimum lease payments.
 
BNSF Railway does not provide financial support to the VIEs that it was not previously contractually obligated to provide.
 
BNSF Railway maintains and operates the equipment based on contractual obligations within the lease arrangements, which set specific guidelines consistent within the industry. As such, BNSF Railway has no control over activities that could materially impact the fair value of the leased equipment. BNSF Railway does not hold the power to direct the activities of the VIEs and therefore does not control the ongoing activities that have a significant impact on the economic performance of the VIEs. Additionally, BNSF Railway does not have the obligation to absorb losses of the VIEs or the right to receive benefits of the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. Depending on market conditions, the fixed-price purchase options could potentially provide benefit to the Company; however, any benefits potentially received from a fixed-price purchase option are expected to be minimal. Based on these factors, BNSF Railway is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. As BNSF Railway is not the primary beneficiary and the VIE leases are classified as operating leases, there are no assets or liabilities related to the VIEs recorded in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 

13

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


7.
Commitments and Contingencies

Personal Injury
 
Personal injury claims, including asbestos claims and employee work-related injuries and third-party injuries (collectively, other personal injury), are a significant expense for the railroad industry. Personal injury claims by BNSF Railway employees are subject to the provisions of the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) rather than state workers’ compensation laws. FELA’s system of requiring the finding of fault, coupled with unscheduled awards and reliance on the jury system, contributed to increased expenses in past years. Other proceedings include claims by non-employees for punitive as well as compensatory damages. A few proceedings purport to be class actions. The variability present in settling these claims, including non-employee personal injury and matters in which punitive damages are alleged, could result in increased expenses in future years. BNSF Railway has implemented a number of safety programs designed to reduce the number of personal injuries as well as the associated claims and personal injury expense.
 
Other than the fair value adjustments recorded in the application of acquisition method accounting related to the Merger, as discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, BNSF Railway records an undiscounted liability for personal injury claims when the expected loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. The liability and ultimate expense projections are estimated using standard actuarial methodologies. Liabilities recorded for unasserted personal injury claims are based on information currently available. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in projecting future events such as the number of claims filed each year, developments in judicial and legislative standards and the average costs to settle projected claims, actual costs may differ from amounts recorded. BNSF Railway has obtained insurance coverage for certain claims, as discussed under the heading “BNSF Insurance Company.” Expense accruals and any required adjustments are classified as materials and other in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Asbestos
 
The Company is party to a number of personal injury claims by employees and non-employees who may have been exposed to asbestos. The heaviest exposure for BNSF Railway employees was due to work conducted in and around the use of steam locomotive engines that were phased out between the years of 1950 and 1967. However, other types of exposures, including exposure from locomotive component parts and building materials, continued after 1967 until they were substantially eliminated at BNSF Railway by 1985.
 
BNSF Railway assesses its unasserted asbestos liability exposure on an annual basis during the third quarter. BNSF Railway determines its asbestos liability by estimating its exposed population, the number of claims likely to be filed, the number of claims that will likely require payment and the estimated cost per claim. Estimated filing and dismissal rates and average cost per claim are determined utilizing recent claim data and trends.

Throughout the year, BNSF Railway monitors actual experience against the number of forecasted claims and expected claim payments and will record adjustments to the Company’s estimates as necessary.
 
Based on BNSF Railway’s estimate of the potentially exposed employees and related mortality assumptions, it is anticipated that unasserted asbestos claims will continue to be filed through the year 2050. The Company recorded an amount for the full estimated filing period through 2050 because it had a relatively finite exposed population (former and current employees hired prior to 1985), which it was able to identify and reasonably estimate and about which it had obtained reliable demographic data (including age, hire date and occupation) derived from industry or BNSF Railway specific data that was the basis for the study. BNSF Railway projects that approximately 60, 80 and 95 percent of the future unasserted asbestos claims will be filed within the next 10, 15 and 25 years, respectively.


14

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


Other Personal Injury
 
BNSF Railway estimates its other personal injury liability claims and expense quarterly based on the covered population, activity levels and trends in frequency and the costs of covered injuries. Estimates include unasserted claims except for certain repetitive stress and other occupational trauma claims that allegedly result from prolonged repeated events or exposure. Such claims are estimated on an as-reported basis because the Company cannot estimate the range of reasonably possible loss due to other non-work related contributing causes of such injuries and the fact that continued exposure is required for the potential injury to manifest itself as a claim. BNSF Railway has not experienced any significant adverse trends related to these types of claims in recent years.
 
BNSF Railway monitors quarterly actual experience against the number of forecasted claims to be received, the forecasted number of claims closing with payment and expected claim payments. Adjustments to the Company’s estimates are recorded quarterly as necessary or more frequently as new events or revised estimates develop.
 
The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s accrued obligations for asbestos and other personal injury matters (in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Beginning balance
 
$
540

 
$
575

Accruals
 
23

 
7

Payments
 
(57
)
 
(19
)
Ending balance
 
$
506

 
$
563


At March 31, 2012, $115 million was included in current liabilities. In addition, defense and processing costs, which are recorded on an as-reported basis, were not included in the recorded liability. The Company is primarily self-insured for personal injury claims.
 
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate outcome of personal injury claims, it is reasonably possible that future costs to settle personal injury claims may range from approximately $450 million to $590 million. However, BNSF Railway believes that the $506 million recorded at March 31, 2012, is the best estimate of the Company’s future obligation for the settlement of personal injury claims.
 
The amounts recorded by BNSF Railway for personal injury liabilities were based upon currently known facts. Future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of claims, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding personal injury litigation in the United States, could cause the actual costs to be higher or lower than projected.
 
Although the final outcome of personal injury matters cannot be predicted with certainty, considering among other things the meritorious legal defenses available and liabilities that have been recorded, it is the opinion of BNSF Railway that none of these items, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity. However, the occurrence of a number of these items in the same period could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations in a particular quarter or fiscal year.
 

15

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


BNSF Insurance Company
 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Insurance Company, Ltd. (BNSF IC), a wholly owned subsidiary of BNSF, provides insurance coverage for certain risks, FELA claims, railroad protective and force account insurance claims and certain excess general liability and property coverage, and certain other claims which are subject to reinsurance. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, BNSF IC wrote insurance coverage with premiums totaling $82 million and $86 million, respectively, for BNSF Railway, net of reimbursements from third parties. During this same time, BNSF Railway recognized $29 million and$26 million, respectively, in expense related to those premiums, which is classified as purchased services in the Consolidated Statements of Income. At March 31, 2012, unamortized premiums remaining on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were $60 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, BNSF IC made claim payments totaling $54 million and $13 million, respectively, for settlement of covered claims. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, claims receivables from BNSF IC were $27 million and $49 million, respectively.

Environmental
 
The Company’s operations, as well as those of its competitors, are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental regulation. BNSF Railway’s operating procedures include practices to protect the environment from the risks inherent in railroad operations, which frequently involve transporting chemicals and other hazardous materials. Additionally, many of BNSF Railway’s land holdings are and have been used for industrial or transportation-related purposes or leased to commercial or industrial companies whose activities may have resulted in discharges onto the property. As a result, BNSF Railway is subject to environmental cleanup and enforcement actions. In particular, the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund law, as well as similar state laws, generally impose joint and several liability for cleanup and enforcement costs on current and former owners and operators of a site without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct. BNSF Railway has been notified that it is a potentially responsible party (PRP) for study and cleanup costs at Superfund sites for which investigation and remediation payments are or will be made or are yet to be determined (the Superfund sites) and, in many instances, is one of several PRPs. In addition, BNSF Railway may be considered a PRP under certain other laws. Accordingly, under CERCLA and other federal and state statutes, BNSF Railway may be held jointly and severally liable for all environmental costs associated with a particular site. If there are other PRPs, BNSF Railway generally participates in the cleanup of these sites through cost-sharing agreements with terms that vary from site to site. Costs are typically allocated based on such factors as relative volumetric contribution of material, the amount of time the site was owned or operated and/or the portion of the total site owned or operated by each PRP.
 
BNSF Railway is involved in a number of administrative and judicial proceedings and other mandatory cleanup efforts for 261 sites, including 19 Superfund sites, at which it is participating in the study or cleanup, or both, of alleged environmental contamination.
 
Liabilities for environmental cleanup costs are recorded when BNSF Railway’s liability for environmental cleanup is probable and reasonably estimable. Subsequent adjustments to initial estimates are recorded as necessary based upon additional information developed in subsequent periods. Environmental costs include initial site surveys and environmental studies as well as costs for remediation of sites determined to be contaminated.

BNSF Railway estimates the ultimate cost of cleanup efforts at its known environmental sites on an annual basis during the third quarter. Ultimate cost estimates for environmental sites are based on current estimated percentage to closure ratios, possible remediation workplans and estimates of the costs and likelihood of each possible outcome, historical payment patterns, and benchmark patterns developed from data accumulated from industry and public sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency and other governmental agencies. These factors incorporate into the estimates experience gained from cleanup efforts at other similar sites.

Annual studies do not include: (i) contaminated sites of which the Company is not aware; (ii) additional amounts for third-party tort claims, which arise out of contaminants allegedly migrating from BNSF Railway property, due to a limited number of sites; or (iii) natural resource damage claims. BNSF Railway continues to estimate third-party tort claims on a site by site basis when the liability for such claims is probable and reasonably estimable. BNSF Railway’s recorded liability for third-party tort claims as of March 31, 2012, was $11 million.
     

16

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


On a quarterly basis, BNSF Railway monitors actual experience against the forecasted remediation and related payments made on existing sites and conducts ongoing environmental contingency analyses, which consider a combination of factors including independent consulting reports, site visits, legal reviews and analysis of the likelihood of other PRP's participation in, and their ability to pay for, cleanup. Adjustments to the Company’s estimates will continue to be recorded as necessary based on developments in subsequent periods. Additionally, environmental accruals, which are classified as materials and other in the Consolidated Statements of Income, include amounts for newly identified sites or contaminants, third-party claims and legal fees incurred for defense of third-party claims and recovery efforts.
    
The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s accrued obligations for environmental matters (in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Beginning balance
 
$
570

 
$
578

Accruals
 
3

 
5

Payments
 
(15
)
 
(12
)
Ending balance
 
$
558

 
$
571


At March 31, 2012, $80 million was included in current liabilities.

BNSF Railway’s environmental liabilities are not discounted. BNSF Railway anticipates that the majority of the accrued costs at March 31, 2012, will be paid over the next ten years, and no individual site is considered to be material.
 
Liabilities recorded for environmental costs represent BNSF Railway’s best estimate of its probable future obligation for the remediation and settlement of these sites and include both asserted and unasserted claims. Although recorded liabilities include BNSF Railway’s best estimate of all probable costs, without reduction for anticipated recoveries from third parties, BNSF Railway’s total cleanup costs at these sites cannot be predicted with certainty due to various factors such as the extent of corrective actions that may be required, evolving environmental laws and regulations, advances in environmental technology, the extent of other parties’ participation in cleanup efforts, developments in ongoing environmental analyses related to sites determined to be contaminated and developments in environmental surveys and studies of contaminated sites.
 
Because of the uncertainty surrounding these factors, it is reasonably possible that future costs for environmental liabilities may range from approximately $420 million to $790 million. However, BNSF Railway believes that the $558 million recorded at March 31, 2012, is the best estimate of the Company’s future obligation for environmental costs.
 
Although the final outcome of these environmental matters cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of BNSF Railway that none of these items, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity. However, the occurrence of a number of these items in the same period could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations in a particular quarter or fiscal year.
 
Other Claims and Litigation
 
In addition to asbestos, other personal injury and environmental matters discussed above, BNSF Railway and its subsidiaries are also parties to a number of other legal actions and claims, governmental proceedings and private civil suits arising in the ordinary course of business, including those related to disputes and complaints involving certain transportation rates and charges. Some of the legal proceedings include claims for punitive as well as compensatory damages, and a few proceedings purport to be class actions. Although the final outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, considering among other things the meritorious legal defenses available and liabilities that have been recorded along with applicable insurance, BNSF Railway currently believes that none of these items, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity. However, an unexpected adverse resolution of one or more of these items could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations in a particular quarter or fiscal year.


17

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


8.
Employment Benefit Plans

Components of the net cost for the periods presented below for certain employee benefit plans were as follows (in millions):
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Net Cost
 
2012
 
2011
Service cost
 
$
10

 
$
8

Interest cost
 
25

 
26

Expected return on plan assets
 
(30
)
 
(30
)
Amortization of net loss
 
3

 

Net cost recognized
 
$
8

 
$
4


 
 
Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Net Cost
 
2012
 
2011
Interest cost
 
$
3

 
$
4

Amortization of net loss
 
1

 

Net cost recognized
 
$
4

 
$
4

 
The Company is not required to make contributions to the BNSF Retirement Plan in 2012; however, the Company made a discretionary contribution of $36 million in January 2012.

9.
Related Party Transactions
 
BNSF Railway is involved with BNSF and certain of its subsidiaries in related party transactions in the ordinary course of business, which include payments made on each other’s behalf and performance of services. Under the terms of a tax allocation agreement with BNSF, BNSF Railway made federal and state income tax payments, net of refunds, of $273 million and $162 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which are reflected in changes in working capital in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
 
At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, BNSF Railway had $203 million and $177 million, respectively, of intercompany receivables which are reflected in accounts receivable in the respective Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, BNSF Railway had $91 million and $11 million of intercompany payables, respectively, which are reflected in accounts payable in the respective Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net intercompany balances are settled in the ordinary course of business.
 
At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, BNSF Railway had $4,540 million and $4,564 million, respectively, of intercompany notes receivable from BNSF. The $24 million decrease in intercompany notes receivable was due to repayments received of $215 million, partially offset by loans to BNSF of $191 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012. All intercompany notes have a variable interest rate of 1.0 percent above the monthly average of the daily effective Federal Funds rate. Interest is collected semi-annually on all intercompany notes receivable. Interest income from intercompany notes receivable is presented in interest income, related parties in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
BNSF Railway earned revenues of $10 million and $9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, for transportation services provided to BNSF Logistics by BNSF Railway. Additionally, BNSF Railway purchased truck transportation services for the Company’s materials and supplies from BNSF Logistics of $8 million and $7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which were classified as purchased services in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
     

18

BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) – (Continued)


Under various stock incentive plans, Berkshire (post-Merger) or BNSF (pre-Merger) granted options to BNSF Railway employees to purchase its common stock at a price not less than the fair market value at the date of grant. Certain employees of BNSF Railway also participated in other long-term incentive plans that utilized restricted shares/units.

10.
Comprehensive Income
 
Other comprehensive income refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are included in comprehensive income, a component of Stockholder’s Equity within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, rather than net income on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Under existing accounting standards, other comprehensive income may include, among other things, unrecognized gains and losses and prior service credit related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans and accounting for derivative financial instruments, which qualify for cash flow hedge accounting.

The following table provides the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (in millions):
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Unrecognized prior service credit and actuarial losses, net of tax (see Note 8)
 
$
(211
)
 
$
(213
)
Fuel hedge mark-to-market, net of tax (see Note 2)
 
3

 
11

Accumulated other comprehensive loss of equity method investees
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
$
(211
)
 
$
(203
)

11.
Accounting Pronouncements
 
No pronouncements materially affecting the Company's financial statements have been issued since the filing of the Company's 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

19


Item 2.
Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations.
 
Management’s narrative analysis relates to the results of operations of BNSF Railway Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively BNSF Railway, Registrant or Company). The following narrative analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes.
 
The following narrative analysis of results of operations includes a comparative analysis of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Results of Operations

Revenues Summary
 
The following tables present BNSF Railway’s revenue information by business group:
 
 
Revenues (in millions)
 
Cars / Units (in thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Consumer Products
 
$
1,533

 
$
1,328

 
1,132

 
1,066

Coal
 
1,240

 
1,214

 
561

 
583

Industrial Products
 
1,133

 
914

 
392

 
352

Agricultural Products
 
953

 
949

 
263

 
276

Total Freight Revenues
 
4,859

 
4,405

 
2,348

 
2,277

Other Revenues
 
67

 
65

 
 
 
 
Total Operating Revenues
 
$
4,926

 
$
4,470

 
 
 
 

 
 
Average Revenue Per Car / Unit
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Consumer Products
 
$
1,354

 
$
1,246

Coal
 
2,210

 
2,082

Industrial Products
 
2,890

 
2,597

Agricultural Products
 
3,624

 
3,438

Total Freight Revenues
 
$
2,069

 
$
1,935


Fuel Surcharges
 
Freight revenues include both revenue for transportation services and fuel surcharges. BNSF Railway’s fuel surcharge program is intended to recover its incremental fuel costs when fuel prices exceed a threshold fuel price. Fuel surcharges are calculated differently depending on the type of commodity transported. BNSF Railway has two standard fuel surcharge programs – Percent of Revenue and Mileage-Based. In addition, in certain commodities, fuel surcharge is calculated using a fuel price from a time period that can be up to 60 days earlier. In a period of volatile fuel prices or changing customer business mix, changes in fuel expense and fuel surcharge may significantly differ.

The following table presents fuel surcharge and fuel expense information (in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Total fuel expense a
 
$
1,095

 
$
939

BNSF Railway fuel surcharges
 
$
672

 
$
582

a 
Total fuel expense includes locomotive and non-locomotive fuel as well as gains and losses from fuel derivatives, which do not impact the fuel surcharge program.
 
    

20


Three Months Ended March 31, 2012, vs the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

Revenues
 
Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012, were $4,926 million, up 10 percent as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in revenues is due to the following changes in underlying trends in revenues:

Average revenue per car / unit increased for all business units as a result of increased rate per car / unit and higher fuel surcharges, which was driven by increased fuel prices.

In addition to an increase in average revenue per car / unit, the following changes in underlying trends in volumes also impacted the change in revenues:

Consumer Products unit volumes increased primarily due to higher domestic intermodal volumes as a result of highway conversion to rail and higher automotive volumes due to increased North American auto sales and automakers rebuilding inventory levels.

Coal unit volumes decreased primarily due to a decrease in coal demand as a result of low natural gas prices, a mild winter and rising utility stockpiles.

Industrial Products unit volumes increased primarily due to increased shipments of petroleum products and of construction products, principally sand and steel.

Agricultural Products unit volumes decreased primarily due to a decrease in wheat exports, partially offset by higher U.S. corn shipments.

Expenses
 
Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2012, were $3,676 million, an increase of $297 million, or 9 percent, as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2011. A significant portion of this increase is due to the following changes in underlying trends in expenses:

Increased unit volume and inflation contributed to the increase in compensation and benefits expense.

Higher fuel prices and volume increases, partially offset by improved fuel efficiency, accounted for the majority of the increase in fuel expenses.

Purchased services expenses increased due to higher locomotive maintenance costs.

Depreciation expense increased as a result of increased capital expenditures, net of retirements, partially offset by a slight reduction in depreciation rates for certain asset classes.

There were no significant changes in underlying trends for equipment rents expense.

An unfavorable arbitration ruling in 2012 increased materials and other expenses.

Interest expense decreased due to a lower average debt balance.

The effective tax rate was 36.6 and 36.3 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.



21


Forward-Looking Information
 
To the extent that statements made by the Company relate to the Company’s future economic performance or business outlook, projections or expectations of financial or operational results, or refer to matters that are not historical facts, such statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.
 
Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual performance or results may differ materially. For a discussion of material risks and uncertainties that the Company faces, see the discussion in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following:

•  Economic and industry conditions: material adverse changes in economic or industry conditions, both in the United States and globally; volatility in the capital or credit markets including changes affecting the timely availability of and cost of capital; changes in customer demand, effects of adverse economic conditions affecting shippers or BNSF Railway’s supplier base, and effects due to more stringent regulatory policies such as the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions that could reduce the demand for coal or governmental tariffs or subsidies that could affect the demand for grain, the continuing impact of low natural gas prices on coal demand for electric power plants, changes in fuel prices and other key materials and disruptions in supply chains for these materials; competition and consolidation within the transportation industry; and changes in crew availability, labor and benefits costs and labor difficulties, including stoppages affecting either BNSF Railway’s operations or customers’ abilities to deliver goods to BNSF Railway for shipment;
 
•   Legal, legislative and regulatory factors: developments and changes in laws and regulations, including those affecting train operations or the marketing of services; the ultimate outcome of shipper and rate claims subject to adjudication; or claims, investigations or litigation alleging violations of the antitrust laws; increased economic regulation of the rail industry through legislative action and revised rules and standards applied by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board in various areas including rates and services; developments in environmental investigations or proceedings with respect to rail operations or current or past ownership or control of real property or properties owned by others impacted by BNSF Railway operations; losses resulting from claims and litigation relating to personal injuries, asbestos and other occupational diseases; the release of hazardous materials, environmental contamination and damage to property; regulation, restrictions or caps, or other controls of diesel emissions that could affect operations or increase costs; the availability of adequate insurance to cover the risks associated with operations; and
 
•   Operating factors: changes in operating conditions and costs; operational and other difficulties in implementing positive train control technology, including increased compliance or operational costs or penalties; restrictions on development and expansion plans due to environmental concerns; constraints due to the nation’s aging infrastructure; disruptions to BNSF Railway’s technology network including computer systems and software, including cybersecurity intrusions, misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data or operations disruptions; as well as natural events such as severe weather, fires, floods and earthquakes or man-made or other disruptions of BNSF Railway’s or other railroads’ operating systems, structures, or equipment including the effects of acts of terrorism on the Company’s system or other railroads’ systems or other links in the transportation chain.
 
The Company cautions against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect its current beliefs and are based on information currently available to it as of the date a forward-looking statement is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statements.


22


Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
 
Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, BNSF Railway’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that BNSF Railway’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by BNSF Railway in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to BNSF Railway’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Additionally, as of the end of the period covered by this report, BNSF Railway's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that there have been no changes in BNSF Railway's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during BNSF Railway’s first fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, BNSF Railway's internal control over financial reporting.

23


BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.
Exhibits.
 
See Index to Exhibits on page E-1 for a description of the exhibits filed as part of this report.


24


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
BNSF Railway Company
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/    Thomas N. Hund         
 
 
 
Thomas N. Hund
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(On behalf of the Registrant and
as principal financial officer)

Date:  May 4, 2012


S-1


BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

Exhibit Index
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
(if applicable)
 
Exhibit Number and Description
Form
File Date
File No.
Exhibit
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.1

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BNSF Railway Company, dated January 17, 2005.
10-Q
7/26/2005
001-06324
3.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2

By-Laws of BNSF Railway Company, as amended August 30, 2005.
10-Q
10/25/2005
001-06324
3.1
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101

eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) documents submitted electronically:

101.INS - XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL - XBRL Extension Calculation Linkable Document
101.DEF - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkable Document
101.LAB - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

The following unaudited information from BNSF Railway Company's Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity as of March 31, 2012, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. *
 
 
 
 
__________________
*Filed herewith

E-1