HUTCHINSON, Kan. — BNSF reported a slight increase in earnings despite lower carloads and the flooding that hampered train movements.

The nation’s second-largest railroad posted total net income of $1.25 billion in the first quarter compared with $1.14 billion in 2018.

Flooding in Nebraska and Iowa slowed car movements. Increased competition in intermodal shipments ate into the railroad’s bottom line.

BNSF saw carloads decline in three of its four business segments with an overall drop of 5%. Despite the challenges, total revenue increased a modest 2% to $5.7 billion.

BNSF operates between six and 10 trains per day in Reno County including Amtrak’s Southwest Chief. It’s the second-highest property taxpayer in the county with a total valuation of over $9.8 million.