Freight Pulse & Law Update: BNSF Clears the Transcon but the Backlog Lingers as a Mixed-Pallet Rule Gets a Second Chance (Nov. 4, 2026)

The El Paso Subdivision is back in service after New Mexico flooding damaged BNSF infrastructure, but reduced speeds and an active embargo mean the recovery is not complete. Separately, NMFTA publishes a revised mixed-pallet proposal on November 6.

What should shippers know about BNSF’s recovery?

Flooding that began October 24 disrupted the Southern Transcon between Southern California and the Midwest, affecting more than 150 trains across BNSF's system. Repairs south of Albuquerque returned the El Paso Subdivision to service, with full double-track operations resuming November 3. Trains are still moving at reduced speeds.

BNSF's customer notice says embargo BNSF001326 remains in place for some traffic to and from the subdivision, including interchange traffic at El Paso and Rincon; limited permits are available. BNSF is regulating flows toward inland terminals and Southern California ports to manage destination capacity. Recovery may require a full equipment cycle, with at least another week of delays anticipated at the time of reporting. Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Kansas City and Memphis remain potential congestion points as delayed volumes arrive.

Regional lens: For Mid-Atlantic shippers and third party logistics providers with freight connecting through inland markets, irregular arrivals may affect downstream schedules and drayage planning.

What changes with NMFTA Item 640?

NMFTA rejected the earlier rewrite after carriers and shippers interpreted its terms differently. Under today's rule, products on a mixed pallet keep their own class and weight when each is listed on the bill of lading and a packing slip is attached. The rejected version would have assigned one density-based class to the whole pallet, and shippers warned a Class 50 item could jump to Class 125, or Class 150 with hazmat.

NMFTA's Docket 2026-3 notice sets a 30-day comment period, a virtual meeting December 15 and a proposed January 23, 2027 effective date if approved.

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