The BN Expediter – Back Issues 2017 – 2024
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 2017 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Working on the BN, 1970-71 – an Oral History
An interview with Paul Brittain who worked for the BN in its earliest days around Eola, Illinois. He shares his experiences of being hired, working as a switchman in the yard and on various way freights to Savannah and Streator, Illinois. - Before, Then and Now: Grand Island Crossing
A photo record of BN’s crossing of the Union Pacific in Grand Island, Nebraska. Photos from before the new flyover, the year it was constructed, and now. - Reno Jct, May 1995, by Mark Demaline
A photo record of coal train action near Reno Jct, Wyoming, with Cascade green, Grinstein and Oakway power. The main was still 2 tracks, but was in the process of being expanded to 3.
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The April 2017 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Colorado Division Days: 1979-81
David Burns, Division Superintendent of the Denver Division in 1979-81 recalls his experience. Includes a map of the rail lines in the division at the time and photos of Denver roundhouse area, Denver Union Station passenger tracks, the Hastings, Nebraska station, and various trains around the division.
- Todays Railroad Scene: Denver and the Front Range of Colorado, by John Parker
A short article about BNSF in the area. Includes an annotated map of the BNSF trackage and facilities in the Denver area and various photos of BNSF trains around the Front Range.
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The July 2017 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Crew Haulers, by Jay Glenewinkel
A personal story about working as a crew hauler for BNSF (and UP) in Texas. - Over the Top
Photos of roof detail on a BN SD40-2. - Locomotive Chronicles 1989, by Dave Poplawski
A short article about BN’s locomotive-related activities in 1989, including the first purchase of SD60Ms, BN’s extensive GP39M/E/V rebuild program, and units leaving the roster. Many pictures of relavant units are included. - BN’s SD60, SD60M and SD60MACs, by Jay Glenewinkel
A long article, with photos, diagrams, data, and some example pages from an SD60M operators manual.
The October 2017 issue (24 pages) contains:
- 2017 Convention Report, by John Adams
A report on our 2017 convention in the Denver, Colorado area, with a few photos. - Cherokee Yard Expansion – Part 2, by Thomas Jenner
An update on the on-going expansion of the Cherokee Yard in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a yard schematic and a few photos. - Transportation Department Days 1981-1982
The next installment of Dave Burns’ articles about his experience in management on the BN, this time in the Transportation Department at BN’s headquarters in St. Paul. - Right of Way: ex-MILW, Terry, Montana to Mobridge, South Dakota, by Dave Poplawski
A photo tour of the ex-Milwaukee Road trackage from Terry to Mobridge. - Tank Train, by Peter Ferch
A photo sampler of 11 flatcars and loads from a military train passing through Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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The January 2018 issue (24 pages) contains:
- President’s Message (and FOBNR history)
John Adams recalls the formation and 25 years of history of the FOBNR. - The BN Historian
A 4-page reprint of what started it all, Volume 1 Number 1, put together by Dave Casdorph in 1991. - FOBNR Expands Covereage to Include the MRL
A short article, with a few photos along Montana Rail Link trackage, explaining that the FOBNR is expanding its coverage to include the MRL. - Gary Olszewski Oral History Interview (part 1)
Gary, a BN and BNSF employee from 1977 through 2015, tells his story of working as a hostler, fireman and engineer in the first of 2 parts. Includes a few historical photos. - Over the Top
A short article with photos of the roof detail of a BN NW2 and SDP40.
The April 2018 issue (24 pages) contains:
- The BN Historian
A 4-page reprint the second issue, Volume 1 Number 2, put together by Dave Casdorph in 1991. - Right of Way: The West Chicago Industrial Track (Then and Now), by Dave Poplawski
A 4-page description of BNSF’s earliest right-of-way, now an industrial track, with photos of how it looks today versus how it looked in the early 1980’s. - Working the “Mails” to West Chicago, by Leo Phillipp
A personal story of working the local switch jobs on the West Chicago line in the mid to late 1970’s. - Gary Olszewski Oral History Interview (part 2)
Gary, a BN and BNSF employee from 1977 through 2015, tells his story of working as a hostler, fireman and engineer in the second of 2 parts. Includes a few historical photos.
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The July 2018 issue (24 pages) contains:
- The BN Historian
An 8-page reprint the third issue, Volume 1 Number 3, put together by Dave Casdorph in 1991. - BN’s GP50’s, by Jay Glenewinkel
A long article about BN’s process of acquiring, maintaining and eventually disposing of it fleet of GP50’s. Includes many photos, data, and a complete roster, including dispositions and units still on the BNSF roster. - BNSF Coal Trains on the MRL, by Mark Demaline
A short photo-montage of a few BNSF coal trains at various locations on the Montana Rail Link, including Logan, Plains, Austin, between Toston and Trident, and on Bozeman Pass.
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The October 2018 issue (24 pages) contains:
- The BN Historian
A 4-page reprint the fourth and last issue, Volume 1 Number 4, put together by Dave Casdorph in 1992. - Intermodal Days 1982-1992
The next installment of Dave Burns’ articles about his experience in management on the BN, this time in the launching of BN’s Intermodal Business Unit (IBU) and the early days of intermodal shipping on the BN, including BN America and BN’s Expediter service. - BN’s City View Trailers
Photos of all ten different city graphic designs that graced the sides of these unique trailers. - Over the Top
Overhead views of BN’s C30-7 5500 and F45 6635 showing lots of roof details. - BN Speeder
Four photos of Gary Olszewski’s restored ex-BN A4-D gang car #1209.
The January 2019 issue (24 pages) contains:
- FOBNR Contact Corner, by Gary Seymour
Answering the question: What is the current status of BN F45 #6644? - Over the Top
Overhead views of BN’s GP-10 1412 and B30-7A 4037 showing lots of roof details. - Right of Way: BNSF’s Red Oak – Shenandoah (Iowa) Line, by Dave Poplawski
An article about an interesting branch line with lots of photos. - BN, AT&SF and BNSF C30-7s (part 1), by Jay Glenewinkel
The history of one of BN’s most popular diesel locomotives, with roster information and photos. Part 1 covers BN’s and AT&SF’s unit, part 2 will cover the units in the BNSF era.
The April 2019 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Over the Top
Overhead views of SD70ACe’s, showing lots of roof details. - Working on the CB&Q, BN and BNSF, Wesley Haas: Oral History (part 1)
Wes hired on with the CB&Q in 1962 and had a long career, mostly in diesel maintenance, with the Q, BN and BNSF. He chronicles his experiences in and around the Denver area in part 1, and will cover his move to Lincoln in part 2. Includes a few historical photos. - BN, AT&SF and BNSF C30-7s (Part 2), by Jay Glenewinkel
The history of one of BN’s most popular diesel locomotives, with roster information, dispositions and photos. Part 2 covers the units in the BNSF era.
The July 2019 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Contact Corner – The Pacific Zip, by Gary Seymour
A long answer about the history of the train called The Pacific Zip, including a full page photo of one on the back cover. - BN and MRL Operations over Bozeman and Mullan Passes, Part 1 ~ The BN Era, by Larry Zuetschel and Mark Demaline
A photo essay of trains and their helper power, with 23 photos taken between 1970 and 1983. - Right of Way Follow-Up, by Dave Poplawski
More information about and photos of the Shenandoah Line through Red Oak, Iowa. - Working on the CB&Q, BN and BNSF, Wesley Haas: Oral History (part 2)
A continuation of Wes’s interview focusing on his time managing diesel service in the freight pit in Hobson Yard in Lincoln. Includes several photos from that location and era.
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The October 2019 issue (28 pages) contains:
- 2019 Convention Report, by John Adams
A report on the activities of the group at the convention, including tours of BNSF facilities, railfanning and model railroad operating sessions and tours. - Then & Now: 1991/2019, South of Crete, Nebraska, by Tom Jergens
Photos of almost the exact same place with the old and new local freight. - Quality Department Days 1992-1995
Another installment from Dave Burns about his experiences working in BN’s Quality Department, charged with improve the quality and consistency of BN’s transportation services. Includes several documentsfrom the era, including a letter from Gerald Grinstein. - BN and MRL Operations over Bozeman and Mullan Passes, Part 2 ~ The MRL Era, by Larry Zeutschel and Mark Demaline
A photo essay of trains and their helper power, with 29 photos taken between 1988 and 2013.
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The January 2020 issue (24 pages) contains:
- Right of Way: BNSF’s Peoria Subdivision, by John Adams
An article about a line slowly losing traffic, with photos of interesting locations along the way. - Grinstein Green Speeder
A photo essay about Chuck White’s restored speeder. - FOBNR Image Library
Announcing the debut of our photo archives, with a few photos as examples of what can be found. - From the Archives
Examples of some engineering drawings that are currently available in our archives. Includes signage, switch and bridge specifications. - Over the Top
Overhead views of BN locomotives SD60M 9226 and 9255, GP9 1861 and GP9B 602, showing lots of roof details.
The April 2020 issue (32 pages) contains:
- Contact Corner: Locotrol RCU Mated with BN 5624, by Gary Seymour
A long answer to a simple question about which Locotrol RCU was initially mated to this particular locomotive, with more information about Locotrol, a listing of all Locotrol RCUs, and a couple of photos. - Happy 50th Anniversary BN!
This issue is devoted to the 50th anniversary of the formation of the BN, and includes a few items from the March 2, 1970 issue of the Burlington Northern News. - BN Operational Chronology, Chapter 2: The First Year
A reprint of one chapter of John Strauss’s excellent treatise on the operation of the BN, including several photos from the early ’70s. - Burlington Northern, A Great Adventure: 1970-1979, Chapter 16: Disparate Cultures
A reprint of one chapter of Earl Currie’s new two-volume series on the history of the BN, in which the melding of the cultures of the predecessor roads is discussed. - 1970 on the Hannibal Division, by Kent Hannah
Personal recollections of operations in 1970 on the Hannibal Subdivision, with lots of details about trains on the Peoria (Illinois) line and elsewhere on the subdivision, including a few pictures of action in the early days. - The First BN Freight Train (#97)
A photo of the first “official” freight train on the BN, with 5 brand new GP38’s leading train #97 west over the Gassman Coulee bridge just west of Minot, North Dakota. Includes Earl Currie’s recollections of the first train as it left Chicago. - Potpourri of Photos From the Early Days
Nine cool photos of trains from the early 1970s from around the country, with many “rainbow” power lashups.
The July 2020 issue (28 pages) contains:
- An FOBNR Freight Car!
We’ve created an HO-scale covered hopper for the FOBNR, with reporting marks FBNX 1995, and started it on a trek across the country visiting various layouts. It started on John Parkers Fall River Division layout, and we’ll follow its travels in future editions of The BN Expediter as well as on our website. We also are offering decals in HO and N for those wishing to customize a car of their own. Photos included. - BN’s Springfield Division’s 8th Subdivision: Wichita to Fredonia, by Mel Finzer
A photo tour of the ex-Frisco line as Mel chased the BN train 91666 3 separate times back in 1989 and 1990. Includes a little history of the line and aerial photos from a real airplane. - 23 Years on the BN/BNSF – Jake Greeling: Oral History Part 1 – Alliance Division
Jake hired on to the BN in 1974 after a short stint on a steel mill’s plant railroad and spent the next 9 years in the Powder River Basin as a brakeman, engineer, trainmaster, road foreman of engines and assistant division superintendent. Part 2 will cover the promotions and transfers that rounded out Jake’s career. Includes a few historical photos, including driving the green and white spike that marked the joining of the rails as construction from the north and south converged. - BN’s SD45s and SDP45s, Part 1, by Jay Glenewinkel
The history of one of BN’s early workhorse diesel locomotives, with roster information and photos. Part 1 covers the inheritance of units from GN, NP, CB&Q, C&S and Frisco, plus BN’s own purchases. Part 2 will have all the roster information, along with dispositions.
The October 2020 issue (32 pages) contains:
- The FOBNR Freight Car(s)
Photos of our new N scale FBNX cars, along with photos and description of a visit paid by the HO scale car to Mark Steenwyk’s Milwaukee Beer Line layout. - MRL’s 45-Series Locomotives, by Jay Glenewinkwel
A description of all the SD45s and F45s, and their various model designations (e.g., SD45-2) ever owned by the MRL. Includes an all time roster w/ lineages and photos of selected models of various designations. - Right of Way: BNSF’s Des Moines Subdivision, by Benjamin Hucker
An east-to-west traversal of the subdivision from Albia to Des Moines, Iowa, with descriptions and photos of the interesting locations along the line. - BN’s SD45s and SDP45s, Part 2, by Jay Glenewinkel
The dispositions of BN’s early workhorse diesel locomotives, with a complete roster including lineage and disposition plus photos of selected units after they left BN, including two units still preserved in museums in Minnesota. - 23 Years on the BN/BNSF – Jake Greeling: Oral History (Part 2 – Moving Up)
After leaving the Powder River area, promotions to division superintendent and director positions rounded out Jake’s career. - Right of Way: BNSF’s Peoria Subdivision Followup
A little more information and a few more historical photos about the subdivision from FOBNR members Earl Currie and Kent Hannah.
The January 2021 issue (28 pages) contains:
- FOBNR Contact Corner: Intermountain Model Boxcar w/ Orange Doors
An inquiry into the reason for the doors being orange instead of green like the rest of the car. - The FOBNR Freight Car(s)
Two N scale FBNX cars visit Paul Brennecke’s Grand Road layout. Photos and description of their visit to several locations along the line. - BN + AT&SF = BNSF, 25 Years and Counting, by Dave Poplawski
A chronological account of the lead up to the merger, including the bidding war between BN and the Union Pacific. Highlights of operational and changes to the physical plant in the first year, including concessions received from UP for BN’s support for the UP/SP merger. - The First BNSF Locomotives
A short article, with both roster and action photos, describing the celebration paint scheme, the experimental paint scheme, BNSF lettering on Warbonnet and Grinstein units, and the first units decorated with the new BNSF orange paint scheme. - Where BN & Santa Fe Met: 1995 and 2020
A list of locations where BN and Santa Fe trackages crossed and met in 1995, with a short description of operations at those sites in 1995, and how things have changed at those locations as of 2020. - Hot Boxes and Close Calls, by Leo Phillipp
A personal recollection of Leo’s experiences as a brakeman and conductor in the 1970s on BN around Chicago and along the C&I Subdivision west of Aurora. - Fred Smith’s 1/8 Scale BN Trains
Photos of Fred’s collection of locomotives, caboose and freight cars.
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The April 2021 issue (32 pages) contains:
- The FOBNR Freight Cars
Two N scale FBNX cars visit George Rabbitt’s PG&D layout, and the HO scale FBNX car visits Burr Stewart’s BN Seattle Region layout. Photos and descriptions of their visit to several locations along the lines. - Wow, What a Ride! Pat Keim: Oral History (Part 1 – Operations)
Pat started on the CB&Q while in high school, then worked his way up into senior management in operations as the Montana Division Superintendent in Havre, Montana. Part 2 will follow his transition into government relations and life after BNSF. - The Return of the Kalispell Subdivision
A short article about BNSF taking back service on the Kalispell Subdivision after 15 years of operation by Mission Mountain Railroad, with a couple of photos. - Right of Way: BNSF’s Laurel Subdivision, Mossmain to Great Falls, by Mark Demaline and Dave Poplawski
An east (RR south) to west (RR north) trip along the subdivision, with descriptions and photos of the interesting locations along the line, including historical photos of train order depots and abandoned prairie skyscrapers (grain elevators). - Rail Service to Moore, Montana: A Short History of a Short Subdivision, by Mark Demaline and Dave Poplawski
A short article of how rail service to the grain elevator at Moore transitioned from the CMStP&P to the BN via Lewistown to the BN via a new connection from the Laurel Subdivision via Sipple, including a brief mention of the Central Montana Railroad. - Montana Rail Link’s GP9 Fleet, by Jay Glenewinkel
A description of MRL’s GP9s, including an all-time roster and photos of all units still in service in January 2021. - Before and After: 1975 / 1981
BN U25C #5611 in 1975 on a coal train, and then in 1981 on a funeral train in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
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The July 2021 issue (32 pages) contains:
- FOBNR Freight Car(s)
The HO scale FBNX car visits Bryan Smith’s Chicago and Iowa layout in Fernley, Nevada, and two N scale FBNX cars visit the Moffat Modelers’ layout at the Fourney Museum in Denver, Colorado. Photos and descriptions of their visit to several locations along the lines. - A Taste of 1994 to Kick Off 2021: The Hastings-McCook Local, by Joel Poland
A short article, with photographs, about chasing the local, powered by two relics of the BN era, a GP50 and SD40-2, still in BN Cascade Green, as it worked from Hastings to Cambridge, Nebraska. - Wow, What a Ride! Pat Keim: Oral History (Part 2 – Government Relations)
Pat started on the CB&Q while in high school, then worked his way up into senior management in operations as the Montana Division Superintendent in Havre, Montana. Part 2 follows his transition into government relations and life after BNSF. - Henry Frick
Excerpts from an essay by Earl Currie about the career of Henry Frick on the BN and BNSF in train service and as a dispatcher. - Before & After: 2003 / 2020
Before and after photographs of BN/BNSF rotary snowplow 972554 in Glendive, Montana. - Plattsmouth, Nebraska: A Forty Year Coal Line Project, by Gary Seymour
An article about the history of the cut and bridges where the BN/BNSF crosses the Missouri River. Includes a map, several photographs, both historic and modern, along with a short essay by civil engineer Chuck Easton about problems and solutions to erosion of the cut. - Tuning up my Atlas BN C30-7 #5112, by Bryan Smith
Tips on getting an HO scale Atlas C30-7 into tip-top running condition. - Over the Top
Photos of the roof detail of GP20s 2001 and 2032.
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The October 2021 issue (32 pages) contains:
A description of our no-agenda railfanning meet in June (2021) as a substitute for our annual convention which was postponed due to Covid-19.
The two N scale FBNX cars visit John Rimmasch’s Wahsatch & Union Pacific Railroad in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the HO scale FBNX car visits Mark Herrick’s BNSF Montana Division in Windham, Connecticut. Photos and descriptions of their visits to several locations on their layouts.
A history of this model, with photos, data, and a complete roster.
Photos and a short description of the six-axle/four-traction-motor units being tested on Raton Pass in October, 2013.
Leo’s experiences working in Chicago surburban commuter service, with operations in 1974, the inbound parade, collecting fares, and Saturday operations. Includes maps, photos, and many historical documents from Leo’s and others collections. Part 2 will appear in the January 2022 issue.
An article about an interesting branch line in northwestern North Dakota, with lots of photos.
The Janary 2022 issue (32 pages) contains:
An update on the current state of our organization and plans for the future.
The two N scale FBNX cars visit Tim Fitzgeralds’s Colorado Transportation Company, and the HO scale FBNX car visits Doug Geiger’s Granite Mountain Railway. Photos and descriptions of their visits to several locations on their layouts.
A photographic essay about the local as it traverses Montana Rail Link’s scenic 5th, 6th and 7th Subdivisions (ex-NP/BN trackage) and serves various industries. Includes timeables for the three subdivisions and a map of the area covered.
Photos and a short description of the six-axle/four-traction-motor units being tested on Raton Pass in October, 2013.
The second and final part of Leo’s experiences working in Chicago surburban commuter service, with operations in 1974, the inbound parade, collecting fares, and Saturday operations. Includes maps, photos, and many historical documents from Leo’s and others collections.
A step by step description of how to convert a stock HO Intermountain covered hopper into one with a BNSF logo but BN reporting marks. Includes paint removal, painting, decaling, and weathering and other details.
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The April 2022 issue (32 pages) contains:
The two N scale FBNX cars visit the DeNTRAK modular layout system, and the HO scale FBNX car visits Alan Schroeder’s Burlington Northern – Marias Pass layout. Photos and descriptions of their visits to several locations on their layouts.
Earl Currie, a long time member and prolific contributor to the FOBNR, passed away in December 2021. Includes a list of articles Earl wrote for The BN Expediter, and another list of six books written by Earl that will be for sale from the FOBNR website.
Bruce worked for the CB&Q, BN and BNSF starting in 1964 up to his retirement in 2006. In part 1 he tells us about working his way up through the ranks to a point where he was managing the department that assigned every locomotive and caboose to every train on the BN system on a daily basis.
Overhead views of BN locomotives SD45 6467 and SDP45 6596, showing lots of roof details.
B&W builders photos taken during the construction of the caboose showing the steps along the way, plus detail photos of interior and exterior of the completed unit.
A north-to-south traversal of a completely “dark” (unsignaled) subdivision, with descriptions and photos of the interesting locations and trains along the line.
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The July 2022 issue (32 pages) contains:
John, a long time member and prolific contributor to the FOBNR, passed away in March 2022. Includes a list of articles John wrote for The BN Expediter, a photo of him along with the attendees at the 1994 convention that he organized in Seattle, and an excerpt from his BN Operational Chronology, a 100 page history of the BN that he donated to the FOBNR and we continue to sell.
The two N scale FBNX cars visit Bill Kepner’s South Penn Railroad, and the HO scale FBNX car visits Bob Welke’s Wisconsin & Upper Michigan. Photos and descriptions of their visits to several locations on their layouts.
A history of this unit, from it being wrecked as GM&O GP35 #613, to ICG #2512, and finally to BN/BNSF GP39V #2968, including photos in all its BN/BNSF paint schemes.
Bruce worked for the CB&Q, BN and BNSF starting in 1964 up to his retirement in 2006. In part 2 he describes his participation in the conversion of manual to computer assisted locomotive scheduling, managing the mechanical desk, and retirement and a look back at significant points in his career. Includes photos of mockups and early versions of computer systems for locomotive scheduling and utilization.
A postcard with an RPO postmark of April 30, 1971 on BN passenger train 28, the eastbound Western Star, sparked the discovery of it being the last BN passenger train to depart from its start station before Amtrak took over the next day. Includes the postcard, a detailed record of the discovery, along with an excerpt from John Strauss’s description of the train from the April 1983 issue of The BN Expediter, plus a photo of (sadly) a different EB Western Star in Spokane.
The Big Sandy Sub is part of what once was a busy line, with passenger service, connecting Havre and Great Falls, Montana. This photo essay shows most of the named places along the line, including what remains along the abandoned section between Big Sandy and Fort Benton.
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The October 2022 issue (32 pages) contains:
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we finally met in Vancouver, Washington for our convention. John reports on the activities, including tours of the Kalama Export facility and the Port of Vancouver, as well as presentations by several local people, and the pre-convention model railroad operating sessions on HO and N scale railroads.
The HO scale FBNX car visited Neil Roggensack’s Montana Northland, and the two N scale FBNX car visited Biran Marotta’s Hudson Valley Lines. Photos and descriptions of their visits to several locations on their layouts.
A detailed history of the genesis, expansion and eventual demise of BN’s Expediter intermodal service, written from an insider’s point of view. Contains details of the motivations, internal management decisions, and financial considerations between 1985 and 1989.
Modifying a Bachmann scale test car to add extra “fine details.” Includes step-by-step description and photos of the process.
A view of the roof detail on the BN locomotive.
A follow-up of the Three Forks branch line article from the January 2022 issue, with photos of both MRL and BNSF ballast trains as well as a BNSF storage car train fetching oil tankers from storage on the branch.
A report on the return to service of the Arbor line from Lincoln to Nebraska City, Nebraska. Includes a map and a mix of historical and recent photos of the trains along the line as well as at the Omaha Public Power District’s electrical generating plant at the end of the line.
The January 2023 issue (32 pages) contains:
An introduction of our new president and an update on the status and plans for the future of the organization.
Photos and discussion of often overlooked small items along the right of way of the Big Sandy Subdivision, including date nails, tie stamps, and a fragment of GN/BN dining car China.
The HO scale FBNX car visited Dave Waraxa’s Kootenai River Sub, and the two N scale FBNX cars visited Pat Lana’s Crandic Lines. Includes photos and descriptions of their visits to several locations on their layouts.
An interview with Don about his background and employment on the CB&Q, and then BN, from 1964 through 1982.
A telegram authorizing a special movement of Train 75 from Wenatchee to Seattle to demonstrate to several Chinese railroad managers the operation of new EMD SD40-2 locomotives over Stevens Pass.
A first hand account of riding the passenger special in 1971 from Seattle to Cashmere, Washington, and back, including photos of the locomotives and cars on the train.
A photo essay of 15 maintenance-of-way trucks in green, orange and gold. Includes photos by Doug Buell, Arden Kruass, and Robert Johnson from Dennis’s collection.
Several photos of BN action in and around Minot, with extended captions elaborating on the significance of each photo.
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The April 2023 issue (36 pages) contains:
The HO scale FBNX car visited Ted and Penny Smith’s Freelanced SP/Soo layout while the N scale FBNX car visited the Elmhurst (Illinois) Model Railroad Club’s layout. The articles include photos and descriptions of their visits to several locations on their layouts.
A BNSF engineer’s lucky assignment to take out rotary snow plow 972559 from Alliance, Nebraska to plow out a stretch of track on the Angora Sub near Dalton, Nebraska. Includes both day and night photos of the rotary in action.
The history and a detailed description of the current state of the rotary stationed in Alliance, Nebraska. Includes photos of the unit on the Northern Pacific prior to the merger, photos of it in BN mineral red paint and being overhauled at BN’s West Burlington shops, and up-close photos of it in its current BNSF paint scheme.
An interview with Don about moving up through the ranks to division general manager in Seattle and his subsequent retirement from BNSF in 2003.
Views of the roof detail on the two BNSF locomotives.
Close-up photos, with descriptions, of the various components of an automated track laying machine (TLM) at Cassoday, Kansas, where a stretch of second main line was being installed. The machine is designed to slowly crawl along the roadbed, lay down ties, and attach ribbon rail all in one continuous process.
The BN Expediter – July 2023
The July 2023 issue (32 pages) contains:
- The FOBNR Freight Car(s)
The N scale FBNX car visited Jim Younkins’ Mud Bay & Southern Layout, while the HO scale FBNX car visited Nathan Smith’s Iowa Interstate layout. The articles include photos and descriptions of their visits to several locations on their layouts. - The Night Job at Rochelle, by Leo Phillipp
Leo recounts his experiences working the night switch job in Rochelle, Illinois back in the early 1970s. Includes a few photos of the area, along with SPINS diagrams and maps. - Two BN/BNSF CEO’s Inducted into the National Railroad Hall of Fame
Darius Gaskins and Rob Krebs were inducted into the hall. This is a flier that announces it. - The MRL Spinoff: A Leader’s Perspective
An interview of Darius Gaskins, who was President and CEO of BN during the spinoff of the MRL. He recounts the events surrounding this major transaction for the BN. - BN GP9 1921: A History, by Peter Gertsch
Peter recounts the history of this unit beginning with its early days on the BN in NP paint through its use and sale to the MBTA (Boston commuter service), including pictures of it in all its paint schemes plus up-close photos of many details.
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The BN Expediter – October 2023
The October 2023 issue (36 pages) contains:
- The FOBNR Freight Car
The HO scale FBNX car visited Gary Weiner’s BN Springfield Division layout. The article includes photos and descriptions of its visit at several locations on his layout. No N scale article this time. - FOBNR Minneapolis Mini-Convention, by John Adams
A summary of our convention and membership meeting in June, including a few photos of participants and railroad action at various locations. - Chicago Suburban Timetables
Announcing that as a result of a generous donation, the Chicago suburban timetables from 1970 to the present have been added to our website. This article shows a few examples of parts of a few timetables. - 1991 BN Open House in Superior, Wisconsin, by Dennis Pehoski
BN hosted an open house, including tours of rail facilities and train rides from the yard to Saunders and back using passenger cars from the Lake Superior Museum of Transportation pulled by two new remanufactured GP20C locomotives in push-pull mode. Includes a few photos. - Burlington Northern Locomotive Chronicles 1990, by Dave Poplawski
A review of locomotive related activities on the BN during 1990, including the delivery of SD60Ms, remanufactured GP20Cs, GP39(M/E/V)s and the rebuilding of snowplow F9A and F9B power units into BN-1 and BN-2, with BN’s new Executive paint scheme, to pull BN’s business car fleet. Includes photos of representative units, both new and those leaving the roster. - Montana Rail Link: Going, Going, …, by Mark Demaline, Joel Poland and Larry Zeutschel
A photo essay of twenty-four trains being pulled by pure MRL locomotive consists, from various locations on the railroad, that are likely never to be seen again once BNSF takes over. - From the Archives
A “Notice of Proposed Discontinuance of Service” poster shown at various stations along BN’s Chicigo-Minneapolis route indicating that the morning and afternoon Zephyrs (trains 7 and 10) would no longer run after April 30, 1971. - BN Pickups and a Van, by Mark Demaline and Dennis Pehoski
Ten photos of various BN pickups, plus one van, painted green, orange, yellow, tan and white.
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The BN Expediter – January 2024
The January 2024 issue (32 pages) contains:
- Locomotive Chronicles 1990 Followup, by Dave Poplawski
A photo of the engineer’s console of BN-1, a photo of the first BN train pulled by BN-1 and BN-2, and a copy of BN-1 builder’s plate from the files of the late Don McKenzie. - President’s Message
An report of the state of the FOBNR from president Benjamin Hucker. - The FOBNR Freight Cars
The N scale FBNX cars visited William and Robert Pagel’s N-Trak Module, including photos of the cars at a massive grain elevator based on a Superior, Wisconsin prototype. The HO scale FBNX car visited Gary Weiner’s BN Springfield Division layout, including photos and descriptions of its visit at several locations on his layout. - William (Bill) Greenwood, a Retrospective, by Mark Cane
Bill passed away in September, 2023, and Mark Cane provides a retrospective of Bill’s impressive career starting with his employment by the CB&Q in 1956 as a telegrapher and tower operator through his retirement in 1994 from his position as Chief Operating Officer (COO), as well as his contributions to the industry after that. - The Gassman Coulee Trestle: Some “cool” photos from February, 1978, by Carl Lehman
Photos of trains on the trestle in the dead of the winter, plus some background on the history of the bridge and how operations over it were managed as a single track in the middle of double track territory. - BN’s Friday Night Live: Dinky Action, 5:45PM, May 6, 1977, by Glenn Fisher
A long article about BN’s 3-track main line (the “racetrack”) and the locations and statuses of several dinkies (suburban commuter trains) at a precise point in time. Includes a detailed schematic of the line, switches and signals; the train sheet that pinpoints the trains’ locations, a public timetable applicable to that day, and a few photos of dinkies at various points along the line. - Contact Corner: BN and Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad; Operating Rules, Timetable and Special Instructions; Portage to East Dubuque; Sunday, October 26th 1986, by Gary Seymour
Answering a question about the CCP timetable that BN operated according to over a short segment of BN’s main line between Chicago and the Twin Cities. Includes a brief history of the line and why it was owned by the CCP in the middle of BN’s main line, how it was eventually purchased by BNSF, and of course views of the relevant parts of BN and CCP timetables from the late 1980s. - 2013 BNSF Officer Special, by Andy Cassidy
A report on the visit by the special in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Includes photos of the entire train and each of the three BNSF business cars on the train. - BN 997xx Series Taconite Cars
B&W Builder’s photos of the 4-unit drawbarred cars as they looked just after manufacture, along with some details about their construction and use.
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The BN Expediter – April 2024
The April 2024 issue (32 pages) contains:
- Around Minot, North Dakota, by Jeremy Siembida
A photo essay of rail infrastructure and activity in and around Minot. - The FOBNR Freight Car (HO)
The HO scale FBNX car visited Murray Bouschlicher’s C&NW Clinton Sub layout, including photos of the car at several scenic locations. - BNSF’s Hanley Falls Subdivision, by Joel Poland
A long article about the trackage, industries and local train activity on the subdivision from Hanley Falls to Madison, Minnesota. Includes a timetable and schematics of the trackage at all the stations along the route. - F45 Helpers on Marias Pass, by Dave Poplawski
A short article, with photos, of a short period of time when F45s replaced F9s and GP9s as helpers. - Contact Corner: Chicago Metra E9 Cab Plates, by Gary Seymour
Answering a question about the commemorative name plates that adorned the cab sides of Metra’s E9s. Includes the motivation behind, and the details of, the addition of the plates, plus up-close photos of one of them. - BN Buses, Semis, and Cranes/Booms, by John Becker, Mark Demaline, and Dennis Pehoski
A photo essay of an assortment of fourteen BN vehicles.
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The BN Expediter – July 2024
The July 2024 issue (36 pages) contains:
- The FOBNR Freight Car (N)
The N scale FBNX cars visited the Capital City (Madison, Wisconsin) “N”Gineers modular layout, with photos of the cars traveling through various modules. - History of the West Suburban Mass Transit District
Chapter 1 (of eight) of the essay by Ted Schuster about the public/private partnership that took over suburban commuter service on the BN in the early 1970s. The complete essay is available from the FOBNR company store. - BNSF Helper Engines on the old MRL, by Larry Zuetschel
A short article, with photos, of BNSF power starting to join MRL power in helper power sets in Livingston (Bozeman Pass) and Helena (Mullan Pass). - The Rebuilding of BN-1 and BN-2, by Gary Seifken
A mostly photo essay showing step-by-step details of the work done by BN’s West Burlington locomotive shop to take old F9A and F9B relegated to snowplow service into state-of-the-art varnish that would lead BN business trains. Includes 47 photos of before and after aspects of the rebuild. - Over the Top, by Dave Poplawski
A single photo of the roof detail of five BN locomotives at the Northtown engine facility: SW12 170, SW15 309, GP9 1813, GP9 1868, and GP38-2 2109. - BN’s Intermodal Hub Conversions, by Mark Cane
An article about how BN’s intermodal facilities transitioned from “circus style” loading/unloading ramps to the modern lift-style technology in use today. - Oral History Interview with Erik C. “Rik” Anderson, by Dave Kroeger
Dave interviews Rik about his career, starting with the Rock Island Railroad in 1972 as a train order operator, his move to BN in Minneapolis in 1978, moving up to dispatcher and eventually chief dispatcher in Galesburg, and eventually leaving the BN for the Chicago Central. Includes a couple photos of the dispatching panels in the Northtown Hump Tower, plus few photos Rik took of the action in the Twin Cities during his stint there.
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The BN Expediter – October 2024
The October 2024 issue (32 pages) contains:
- 2024 Convention Report, by John Adams
A synopsys of the daily activities during our convention in the Minot, North Dakota area in June. - The FOBNR Freight Car (HO scale)
The HO scale FBNX covered hopper car visited James McNab’s Hills Line. - Working the C&I Pool in the 1970’s, by Leo Phillipp
Part 1 of Leo’s adventures as a brakeman and conductor along the C&I (Aurora-Savanna Illinois) line. Includes a map, timetables, a few photos, and a couple of samples of Leo’s time record book entries (on/off-duty times) from that time. - In Field Traction Motor Replacement, by Ewan Shortess
A photo essay of the process of replacing a traction motor on BNSF C44-9W 4770 after being set out on a siding in Quenemo, Kansas due to a hot bearing. - Modeling a Unique BNSF Paint Loco, by John Adams
Custom painting of an N Scale BN C44-9W 4729, dubbed the “Frankenbonnet” by fans because of it unique silver middle and orange ends. -
Burlington Northern Air Freight, Inc, by Dave Poplawski
A description of the short existence of BNAFI, from its inception in 1972 to its sale in 1982, including a year-by-year summary of its activity and performance from BN annual reports, plus photos of three aircraft with the BN logo on the tail and a few other photos of shipments being processed and loaded/unloaded. - BN/UP Crossing in Grand Island, Nebraska
Two Howard Patrick B&W photos of a BN coal train waiting, then crossing, the at-grade crossing of the BN and UP main lines in 1980.