Could the coal dust problem be related to rapid discharge gates at the bottom of the cars?
BNSF has done studies over the past three years that have confirmed that while some coal leaks from rapid discharge gates on coal cars, the vast majority of coal dust that is deposited on the railroad right of way comes off of the top of loaded coal cars. BNSF therefore believes that proper maintenance of rapid discharge gates is an important opportunity to reduce the loss of coal in transit, but coal dust mitigation efforts must focus on reducing the level of coal dust emitted from the top of loaded coal cars.
