<story><title>Berkshire Hathaway buys Burlington Northern Santa Fe (a U.S. railroad) for $44B</title><url>http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/berkshire-to-buy-rest-of-burlington-northern-for-44-billion/</url></story><parent_chain></parent_chain><comment><author>johnohara</author><text>BNSF has the best end-to-end rail network in the country. They spent big $$ improving infrastructure when others like the CSX were dawdling with their logistical systems (does anyone remember the backlogs and delays in TX and AL during the early 2000&apos;s that required federal intervention?)&lt;p&gt;The hidden gem in this deal is the investment BNSF made in laying 24cnt fiber next to their track in continuous 4&quot; pvc. I&apos;ve always felt the decision to do that was a reflection on just how well-run the BN was as a company.&lt;p&gt;Large-scale packets on the rails, small-scale packets in the pipe.&lt;p&gt;Berkshire Hathaway doesn&apos;t just invest in well-run companies. It invests heavily in the management of well-run companies.</text></comment>
<story><title>Berkshire Hathaway buys Burlington Northern Santa Fe (a U.S. railroad) for $44B</title><url>http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/berkshire-to-buy-rest-of-burlington-northern-for-44-billion/</url></story><parent_chain></parent_chain><comment><author>edw519</author><text>&lt;i&gt;Mr. Buffett said that the deal came together quickly...Mr. Rose took the proposal to his board - and got an answer in about 15 minutes.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hell, it takes us longer to pick a font.</text></comment>