Western Railroad Discussion > Matt Rose interview

https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/matt-rose-less-is-not-better/

Matt gets it. More so than the other railroad chiefs.

Posted from Android

Stock manipulators who moved EHH around to remove value from the railroads do not think the same way.

I have long said that railroads should manage for their long term benefit,  not Wall Street's get rich quick style based on operating ratio..

stash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Matt gets it. More so than the other railroad
> chiefs.
>
> Posted from Android

I agree.  It is so refreshing to see a railroad CEO focused on the longer term growth of the industry rather than just finding a way to reduce the next quarter's OR as low as possible, and only appeasing stockholders.  He has clearly spent a lot of time thinking about the challenges and opportunities that face the industry long term.  Hopefully future leadership at BNSF once he leaves will continue in the same mold.

Thanks for posting the link.

Great interview - lots of interesting opinions in there!

I think some industries, like railroads and banking, where I have much of my experience, get into trouble wen pushed to achieve short term results and profit growth. They can achieve 100 years of steady profuts, but not rapid growth.

Jim B

This interview is a good place to start If you’re interested in railroading over the next decade.  EHH was a man for the past.

Bob Wilcox
Charlottesville, VA
My Flickr Shots

BNSF is the best freight railroad in the US and has been for many years. This interview explaines why. Expect BNSF to be in the same position for many future years.

gmojim

I don't think EHH was the man for any of the recent jobs he held. Can you imagine the level of suspicion those customers will always have? I can tell you thier supply chain was devastated for awhile, and still has bugs. Matt Rose has the right idea. Moving more freight, reliably is the answer.

gmojim Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BNSF is the best freight railroad in the US and
> has been for many years. This interview explaines
> why. Expect BNSF to be in the same position for
> many future years.
>
> gmojim


Except the guy is retiring. Who knows what comes next.

Interestingly, his background was trucking. Maybe he also understands that customers are not as captive as railroaders like to think.

He will be missed!

Posted from Android

NYSWSD70M Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
>
> Except the guy is retiring. Who knows what comes
> next.
>
> Interestingly, his background was trucking. Maybe
> he also understands that customers are not as
> captive as railroaders like to think.
>
> He will be missed!
>
> Posted from Android
---------------------------------------------------

You are exactly correct, he had truckload trucking background. He worked at Schneider and Triple Crown. Truckload trucking is the best transport mode to work with from a customer prespective. I always said truckload truckers are the best thing since sliced bread. They were all so easy to do business with.

https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/M-R/Rose-Matthew-K-1960.html

gmojim

gmojim Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BNSF is the best freight railroad in the US and
> has been for many years. This interview explaines
> why. Expect BNSF to be in the same position for
> many future years.
>
> gmojim

The best how? It's not in operating ratio, profit, or customer satisfaction.

Edited to add; Probably not in employee satisfaction either after the treatment of folks in the PNW.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/11/18 09:33 by portlander.

portlander Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> gmojim Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > BNSF is the best freight railroad in the US and
> > has been for many years. This interview
> explaines
> > why. Expect BNSF to be in the same position for
> > many future years.
> >
> > gmojim
>
> The best how? It's not in operating ratio, profit,
> or customer satisfaction.
>
> Edited to add; Probably not in employee
> satisfaction either after the treatment of folks
> in the PNW.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BNSF is number 1 with me, that is all that counts. Always somebody who disagrees. No problem. I was a customer of BNSF for years.
Look at all the truckers on BNSF, I believe that is a huge statement, no other railroad has that much trucker business,

gmojim

Can you expound?

What do you mean by truckers on BNSF? BNSF doesn’t hire OTR drivers, but I’m sure your speaking of TOFC traffic.

Both major western railroads haul a good amount of TOFC, just different lanes will have different mixes of it.

Other than stating “because I said so”, some examples of operations, profit/loss, market and the such would relate better to such a statement than ancedontal experience.

Shoot I can find shoreline railroads that people would always give 100% satisfaction with, yet pales no where near a regional railroad.

It’s all from the perspective you looking at.

Customers, railfans, investors, employees, contractors will all have different angles they are coming from to try to fit any such statement.

I have worked with ex CSX, NS, KCS, and UP employees along with plenty of former shortline guys and they have all said BNSF is a breath of fresh air compared to their past employers. YMMV

MP683 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Can you expound?
>
> What do you mean by truckers on BNSF? BNSF
> doesn’t hire OTR drivers, but I’m sure your
> speaking of TOFC traffic.
>
> Both major western railroads haul a good amount of
> TOFC, just different lanes will have different
> mixes of it.
>
> Other than stating “because I said so”, some
> examples of operations, profit/loss, market and
> the such would relate better to such a statement
> than ancedontal experience.
>
> Shoot I can find shoreline railroads that people
> would always give 100% satisfaction with, yet
> pales no where near a regional railroad.
>
> It’s all from the perspective you looking at.
>
> Customers, railfans, investors, employees,
> contractors will all have different angles they
> are coming from to try to fit any such statement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good question.
Truckers on BNSF refers to the huge volume of trucker freight on TOFC and stack train on BNSF. Just watch the trains on the railcams or trackside.. UP does not have the trucker volume that BNSF has, not even close. 
My persprective is as a customer,, as a shipper of retail store intermodal freight for 24 years and then 14 years in intermodal operations with 2 IMC intermodal companies.

gmojim

I favor his insight about the three legged stool that needs to be balanced for long term stability.

(Money, customers, employees)

If you are Daddy Warbucks and don't care about the long term, hilarity ensues.

It's hard to do and not always successful, but civilization depends on trying.

Posted from Android

I suspect that since BNSF is primarily owned by Warren Buffet that they are not subject to the same whims of Wall Street fashion that other RR's are.  Thus the different philosphy from Matt Rose.

As an employee I’ve always felt my employer has been leading us in the right direction. And because of that I feel our employees are more loyal than employees of other carriers and the overall morale is better too. Not to say we haven’t encountered a few bumps in the road though.

As a employee also, I feel like BNSF has done everything they can to make 99 percent of the employees hate the company. I have never seen a company break contracts like BNSF has. The Super Pool issue is most likely the number one issue that has caused such feelings. It is a known fact that with happy employees come other positive benefits to the companies bottom line. Matt Rose/Carl Ice have forgotten who actually makes the money for BNSF.

Don’t let the door hit you in the rear on the way out!

Bob Wilcox
Charlottesville, VA
My Flickr Shots