The BN Expediter – Back Issues: 2009-2016
Scroll down for a description and cover shot of each issue:
Please Note: Some of these issues are no longer available in paper form. You can, however, download single issues in PDF form by selecting them (below), or download ALL 32 2009-2016 issues for $40 (each issue will be a single file PDF format).
Some issues of The BN Expediter have graphics or images that span two pages. When reading paper copies, those two pages would be open at the same time which makes it easy to see. However digital downloads (PDFs) are generally read one page at a time, so you have to switch back and forth between the two-pages containing such items to see them. Fortunately, the Adobe Acrobat Reader (download Adobe Acrobat Reader – free) has an option to display pages side by side on the screen. To use it, pull down the “View” menu, select “Page Display” and then select “Two-Page View.” Then pull down the “View” menu again, select “Page Display” and than select “Show cover page.” Voila!
The January 2009 issue (20 pages) contains:
- Operations in the Twin Cities Terminal Prior to Completion of New Classification Yard, by Earl Currie
A comprehensive article with many detailed maps. - BN Survivors, by Brian Ambrose
A short article about SW1500 BNSF 3450 (BN 304), with old and new photos.
The April 2009 issue (20 pages) contains:
- Seattle, Washington, by Kristopher Johnson
A long, comprehensive article about BN and BNSF rail service in and around Seattle,
with photos, maps, and radio frequencies. - Seattle’s King Street Station, by John Strauss
Data on the history of passenger service through Seattle from 1970 through 2008,
with a few photos and lots of schedules.
The July 2009 issue (12 pages) contains:
- BN Covered Hopper, by Wade Griffis
A short article (with model and prototype photos and diagrams) of Athearn’s new PS-2 covered hopper (BN 430100-430219). - Bonanza at Powder River, by John Strauss
A reprint of Chapter 3 of John’s The Burlington Northern, An Operational Chronology – 1970-1995, detailing BN operations in 1971.
The October 2009 color issue (20 pages) contains:
- Locomotive Chronicles 1984, by Dave Poplawski
A short article of purchases, retirements and activities, with lots of photos.
The January 2010 issue (20 pages) contains:
- Today’s Misabi Division, by Earl Currie
A long article with lots of color and b/w photos and track schematics, - BN Survivors, by Brian Ambrose
A short article about SD60M BN 9275 which became BNSF 8175, with photos of it in green and in orange.
The April 2010 issue (12 pages) contains
- Galesburg, Illinois, by John Adams
A long article about the Galesburg terminal, with color and BW photos of historical (1989, 1993-97) and current interest.
The July 2010 issue (12 pages) contains:
- 2010 Convention Report, by John Adams
Activities and events - Stevens Pass Traffic Increases, by Kristopher Johnson
A short article about increased traffic levels on the pass in 2010 versus 2009, including BW photos of a 15,000+ ton grain train with mid-train helpers and a two-car Boeing train. - BN Cabless Locomotives
Photos of BN rebuilt “B” units, including GP38-2B 2601 (BW), SD40-2B 7500, 7501, 7502 (color) and GP9B 601 and 602 (color). - BN Time Tracks
A short article about the changes at the King Street Station, including before (1976) and after (2010) color photos.
The October 2010 issue (20 pages) contains:
- Locomotive Chronicles 1985, by Dave Poplawski
A short article with six color photos of tiger striped GP50’s well as 36 black and white photos of units leaving the roster.
The January 2011 issue (16 pages) contains:
- Powder River Basin, by Kent Charles
A short article about the upcoming 2011 convention in Gillette and surounding coal mining and railroad operations, with several color and black and white photos, and track diagrams of the Orin and Black Hills subdivisions. - Unstoppable, by Tom Hackney
A short story about a runaway train on the Nebraska City line in 1977 by the BN division superintendent that chased it down and stopped it. - Locomotive Happenings
Recent color photos and captions about BNSF SD70ACe 9336 and BNSF GP39-2R2768, and a 1994 B&W photo of three (then) new SD70MACs undergoing testing by the SP near Moffet tunnel. - Along the Line in North Dakota
Color photos of BNSF action in Minot, Sanborn, and White Earth.
The April 2011 issue (16 pages) contains:
- Robert W. Downing: One of the Best and the Brightest, by Earl Currie
A long tribute to Bob Downing, with photos, that recalls his many contributions to the formation and success of the BN.
The July 2011 issue (16 pages) contains:
- Bridge 110.9
Eight color shots of the construction of a new bridge and second track at milepost 110.9 on the Marshall Sub in Minnesota. - Skykomish Town Center
An update on the progress of contaminated soil replacement and town revival, with one color photo. - BNSF 2911, by Hugh Hornstien
A short article about the paint scheme of this oddball unit, with 2 color photos. - Burlington Northern Food and Beverage Service, by John Strauss
A summary of the types of service on BN’s short-lived passenger service, including menus and a complete list of food service cars assigned to each train.
The October 2011 issue (16 pages) contains:
- The Yellowstone Division Story: from 1973 through 1980, by Mike Martin
A long article by the Division Superintendent with several color photos. - Convention Report for 2011, by John Adams
Activities and events. - Glendive, Montana Motive Power Assignments
A complete list with a color photo.
The January 2012 issue (20 pages) contains:
- You Name It! Views of the Portland Region as from the pages of the Columbia Hot Line, Part One, by J. A. Phillips, III
A long article, with color photos, about the Portland Region in the early ’70s. - North Dakota Flooding, by Al Christianson
A color photo essay of the floods around Minot in 2011 - The BN Merger: An Encouragement that Perseverance Can Prevail, by Dave Burns
A personal history, with photos, of the 1970’s merger from the diary of a BN employee in the middle of it. - Wrecker D-250, by Ronald Holden
A short history and description of an ex-GN wreck crane (with photos).
The April 2012 issue (12 pages) contains:
- Amarillo, Texas: A Very Busy BNSF Node, by Dave Poplawski
A long article about the history and current operations in the Amarillo area, with several B&W and color photos. - BNSF 793, by Darrell Wendt
A short article about the repainting of the C44-9W after wreck damage, with 3 color photos.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The July 2012 issue (20 pages) contains:
- Know Your Region! Views of the Portland Region as from the pages of the Columbia Hot Line, Part Two, by J. A. Phillips, III
A long article, with black&white and color photos, about the Portland Region in the early ’70s. - Burlington Northern Paint Schemes, by Michael Lang
A short article, with color photos, about various tiger-stripe and white-face locomotive paint schemes.
- Along the line: North Dakota
A short black&white photo essay. - Plattsmouth Bridge, by Darrell Wendt
A short article, with black&white and color photos, about the progress of BNSF’s construction of a second bridge over the Missouri River.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The October 2012 issue (20 pages) contains:
- Locomotive Chronicles: 1986, Part I, by Dave Poplawski
A short article with a color photo of Oakway SD60s as well as 40 black and white photos of units leaving the roster.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The January 2013 issue (20 pages) contains:
- Lakewood Sounder Extension, by Aric Van de Vord
A short article about the 8-mile extension of Sounder service from Tacoma to Lakewood, with black and white photos and a map. - Plattsmouth Bridge, by Darrell Wendt
An update on the progress of BNSF’s new bridge and approach tracks across the Missouri River, with black and white and color photos. - Locomotive Chronicles: 1986, Part II
A list of units leaving the roster, along with 30 black and white photos of some of them.
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The April 2013 issue (16 pages) contains:
- Missoula, Montana, by John Adams
A long article about the sale of the ex-NP line across Montana to the MRL, the MRL’s subsequent history, and a current description of the line, including many black-and-white and color photos, employee timetables of the BN just prior to the merger and a Missoula yard diagram circa 1970. - Plattsmouth Bridge Update
A short article with several black-and-white and color photos of various stages of construction. - Along the Line
Four color photos of BNSF trains around the country.
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The July 2013 issue (16 pages) contains:
- Burlington Northern’s Grand Forks-Winnipeg Passenger Train, by John Strauss
An article about BN’s Trains #47 and #48 circa 1970-1, including consists, schedules, and color and B&W photos. - M-Day on the Dakota Division
A long article from the Division Superintendent Dave Burns about his experience during the first year of the BN in northern Minnesota and North Dakota, with timetables and a map, plus color photos of some more recent trains (2009+) on what used to be the Dakota Division back in 1970.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The October 2013 issue (16 pages) contains:
- Burlington Northern Locomotive Chronicles 1987
A short article with color photos of LMX B39-8E’s well black and white photos of units leaving the roster. - Building an HO LMX B39-8E, by Wade Griffis
A short article, with 4 color photos, about constructing and detailing these units. - 2013 Missoula Convention Report, by John Adams
A long article, with several color and black and white photos, about our 2013 convention in and around Missoula, MT.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The January 2014 issue (16 pages) contains:
- BN Chicago Region in the Early Days 1970-72, by Dave Burns
A long article about managing the Chicago Region just after the merger. - Minnesota Trackwork and Siding Construction
A black and white and color photo spread showing track work near Pipestone, MN and the construction of a new bridge and siding to service the Cargill Elevator at Split Rock, MN. - What’s new…
A color photo of LNG SD70ACe 9130, BNSF LNG Fuel Tender 933501 and BNSF LNG SD70ACe 9131, and a color photo of BNSF covered hopper #485059 (with a BN logo).
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The April 2014 issue (16 pages) contains:
- Tulsa, by Pat Hiatte and Dave Poplawski
A short article about the BN and BNSF in and around Tulsa, including color and black and white photos from the early 1980’s and now, plus track schematics of the Cherokee yard and various subdivisions and local radio frequencies. - Timetables: Then and Now
A side-by-side discussion/comparison of employee timetables for the line west from Tulsa in 1981 and 2014. - Painting an N-Scale BN GP15, by John Adams
A short article, with color photos, on how to custom paint a 1980’s era ex-Frisco GP15 (in BN colors). - Frisco’s GP15-1’s on the BN
A short article, with color photos, about the GP15-1’s BN inherited from the Frisco, including technical data and color photos of the units as they evolved from Frisco paint with BN numbers stenciled on to BN green, to BNSF (green), to BNSF Heritage I paint schemes.
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The July 2014 issue (16 pages) contains:
- The Inside Story
A reprinting of several articles from the International-Stanley Corporation that devoted an entire issue of its Spring/Summer 1971 company newsletter to matters pertaining to the BN. Included in this issue are: “BN-Merger Year Two”, a recap of the merger process and the first year of operation of the BN, “Lou Menk…tall man in a tall job”, “Bob Downing…third generation railroader”, and John Budd…architect of merger”, three biographical articles on BN’s early top managers, and “At the Heart of Operations…”, an article about the Twin-Cities region in 1971 and it’s head, Wilburn Allen, including several color photos of rail action in the region in the early 70’s.
More articles from the newsletter will appear in future issues of The BN Expediter. - Modeling a Wreck, by Markus Zöschg
A short article, with color photos, on how to model a GP28M that received major damage in a collision with some runaway tank cars.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The October 2014 issue (20 pages) contains:
- 2014 Tulsa Convention Report, by John Adams
A two page article, with 2 color photos, about the FOBNR convention in Tulsa, OK. - BN E Units in Chicago Commuter Service, by Dave Poplawski
A short article, with roster data, locomotive specs, and color photos of all 25 E units that powered Chicago commuter trains (Dinkys) for almost 20 years. Included are photos of rare occurences, like an E unit pulling a BN passenger special, E units pointing east, and triple-header trains. - The Inside Story
A reprinting of two more articles from the International-Stanley Corporation that devoted an entire issue of its Spring/Summer 1971 company newsletter to matters pertaining to the BN. Included in this issue are two biographical articles on BN’s early top managers, and “People are the Backbone”, an article about the Omaha region in 1971 and its head, Richard Beulke, and “Small in Size…Great in Promise”, an article about the Portland Region and its head, Harry Surles. - Modeling an E9 in O Scale, by Kevin Lynch
A short article, with black&white and color photos, on how to model an E9 used in Chicago commuter service.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The January 2015 issue (24 pages) contains:
- 2015 Minneapolis Convention Preview, by Peter Ferch
A two page article, with color photos, about the upcoming FOBNR convention in Minneapolis, MN. - Bakken Oil and the BNSF
A long article about the oil boom in North Dakota and BNSF’s role in transporting that oil. Focus is on the history of oil production in ND, moving oil by train, BNSF’s oil trains, and the future. Several color photos of oil trains around the system are included. This article will be continued in the April issue. - Right of Way: The Browns Valley Subdivision, by Peter Ferch
A short article about the Subdivision, with color photos of trackage and industry along the route and a schematic track diagram of the line. - The Inside Story
A reprinting of the last three articles from the International-Stanley Corporation that devoted an entire issue of its Spring/Summer 1971 company newsletter to matters pertaining to the BN in 1971. Included in this issue are an article about the Billings Region and its head, John Davies, an article about the Seattle Region and its head, Ralph Merklin, and an article about the Chicago Region and its head Donald King. Included are historical photos, mostly color, of the railroad in the early 70’s in those regions.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The April 2015 issue (24 pages) contains:
- BN and BNSF 3-Bay Covered Hopper Cars: A Photographic History (part 1 – BN), by Mark Demaline
A short article highlighting the fleet of covered hoppers owned by the BN and BNSF, along with color photos of 17 representative car types, builders and paint schemes owned by the BN. Part 2 in the July 2015 issue will finish up with photos of BNSF cars. - Bakken Oil and the BNSF (part 2 – the loadouts)
A long article about the 11 operating unit-train loadouts in North Dakota, wtih a short history about and charactistics of each loadout, including photos of each one.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The July 2015 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Locomotive Chronicles 1988, by Dave Poplawski
A short article with color photos new LMX units and the first few GP39Ms, GP39Es and GP40Ms from BN’s massive rebuilding program, along with other locomotive oddities. - Bakken Oil and the BNSF (part 3 – infrastructure)
A short article with several photos of BNSF’s capital spending in North Dakota to support the record traffic levels coming mainly from oil, including bridges, track and signals, holding tracks, grade crossings, etc. - BN and BNSF 3-Bay Covered Hopper Cars: A Photographic History (part 2 – BNSF), by Mark Demaline
The continuation of a short article highlighting the fleet of covered hoppers owned by the BN and BNSF, along with color photos of several representative car types, builders and paint schemes owned by BNSF, including all 9 heritage cars.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The October issue 2015 (24 pages) contains:
- Gary Seymour Biography
A short biography of FOBNR’s long time board member and secretary who is stepping down next year. - Minneapolis Convention Report
A synopsis of our 2015 convention in the Minneapolis St. Paul area. - Forsyth, Montana Crew Change
A short article about removing most crew changes from Forsyth, Montana. Includes two photos of the depot. - Rocky Mountain Days
David Burns, Division Superintendent of the Rocky Mountain Division in the early 1970’s recalls his experience at the time. Includes a map of the rail lines in the division at the time and a 1971 B&W photo of the headquarters building which was shared with the Missoula train station. - Minneapolis Convention Report, by John Adams
A summary of events and activities of our annual convention in the Twin Cities. - The Spring Hill Local, by Mark Steenwyk
Details of the current operation of the local along Ft. Scott Subdivision in Kansas from Lenexa to La Cygne. Includes 9 photos of trains and industries along the line. - Track Measurement Car BNSF 80, by Markus Zöschg
A custom modeling article of this unique car. The prototype was a converted ex-SP commuter gallery car. Includes a description of the details of construction and photos of the prototype and construction progress.
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The January 2016 issue (28 pages) contains:
- Then and Now, by Brian Ambrose
Photos of the Paradise Local at Weeksville, Montana in 1988 and 2015. - Along the Sweetgrass Subdivision, by Mark Demaline
A photo-essay of what is now the Great Falls and Sweetgrass Subdivisions in Montana. Photos of trains, right-of-way, and structures along this secondary but important BNSF route. - Rocky Mountain Days – Part II
Earl Currie adds his experiences as superintendent of the Rocky Mountain Division from 1974-75 as a follow up to Dave Burns article in the October 2015 issue. Includes track charts for the 4 mountain passes the division crosses. - Model Review – Arnold N Scale U25Cs, by Kent Charles
A review of N-Scale U25C’s available from Arnold, including prototype background information, roster shots, and photos of 2 versions of the model in BN colors as well as a photo of the model’s inner workings.
The April 2016 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Right-Of-Way: BNSF on the Ex-MILW in South Dakota: Ortley to Mobridge on the Appleton and Mobridge Subs, by Peter Ferch
A long article about the two Subdivisions, with many color photos of trackage and industry along the route. - Along the Sweetgrass Subdivision, Part 2, by Mark Demaline
A photo-essay of the Valier, Choteau, Fairfield, Helena and Ft. Benton subdivisions that connect to the Great Falls Subdivision in Montana. Photos of trains, right-of-way, and structures that feed into the main line.
(SALE) Buy a copy for $2.50 before April 1st:
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The July 2016 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Building Burlington Northern: The Lorentzsen Years 1970-1980
An excerpt from Earl Currie’s essay about the growth of the BN under Norm Lorentzsen. - Dinky Ballet at Fairview Avenue, by Dave Poplawski
A chronology of commuter operation at one station on BNSF’s Chicago Metra line in May 2015, with color photos of each of 31 commuter trains passing by in a two hour period. Includes an afternoon Metra timetable, track diagram near the station, and photo of the station. - Then & Now, by Wayne Depperman
Portland, OR Union Station area in 1980 and 2010; Wahkaikus, WA in 1981 and 2010, all in B&W. - BN Pacific Days 1974-79:
A long article about Dave Burns’ experience as Superintendent of the Pacific Division of the Seattle Region during that time period. Includes several B&W and color photos of train action along the Division and a schematic map of the trackage in 1975 and 1979.
The October 2016 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Member Survey Report
There results and discussion from a survey of our members about the organization and its products. - Member Profile: John Parker
A short biographical article about our newest board member. - FOBNR 2016 Convention: Glendive, Montana, by John Adams
The report about our June 2016 convention, with photos. - Stored Power
A photo montage and short article about over 1000 stored locomotives due to a downturn in business. - Cherokee Yard Expansion, by Thomas Jenner
A little history about the yard plus a description and photos of recent and ongoing expansion activities in the yard. - One of a Kind / Air Car 90
Air Car 90 was an in-house modification of an old GN flat car that was used exclusively at the American Commercial Barge Line coal terminal in St. Louis, Missouri. - The Renton Rocket, by Dave Poplawski
A history and current operation of the train that serves the Renton area, including Boeing’s plant, with photos and a map.