by John Parker
The 2026 gathering in Gillette, WY and Alliance, NE was a “mini meet,” rather than a full-blown convention. A total of fourteen FOBNR members attended.
The event started with a welcome dinner at the Railyard restaurant in Gillette, Wyoming. Packets were distributed to the attendees, and the agenda was reviewed. We had a separate room, which allowed us to talk freely, share stories, and get acquainted.
On the first day of the event, we gathered at the Candlewood Suites Hotel lobby in Gillette to plan the day. Everyone caravaned to the Powder River Basin where we toured the Black Thunder Mine. We were given an overview presentation of the mine operations and safety/environmental programs. Following the presentation, we were given a van tour of the mine property where we observed (and photographed) coal seam digging and loading (into haul trucks) and the operation of “Ursa Major,” the largest operating dragline excavator in North America. This colossal Bucyrus-Erie 2570-WS machine weighs nearly 7,000 tons and removes massive amounts of earth to expose coal seams. This was a special tour as the group was inside the dragline cab, with a view from the operator’s perspective, while operating!
After the mine tour, we drove south through the Powder River Basin to photograph rail traffic over the BNSF Orin Subdivision. While coal traffic is down from previous years, there was plenty of other railroad traffic, including intermodal, manifest, and inspection trains. Highlights included stops at Nacco Wye Junction and Logan Hill to take photographs.
Leaving the Powder River Basin, the drive to Alliance became a challenge as severe thunderstorms were encountered along the way. Everyone arrived safely in Alliance to begin the next phase of the mini meet.
Day two started at the Holiday Inn lobby in Alliance. We gathered to discuss the agenda for the day, and to meet our BNSF contact for a tour of the BNSF Alliance Yard.
Our guide for the BNSF Alliance yard tour was Cody, a seasoned trainmaster. We carpooled around the yard with stops to view the rotary snowplow, which included a F7 B-unit as the power for the plow, the last known operating F7 B-unit on the system. We then drove through the North Yard, stopping several times to photograph engines, shoving platforms and yard facilities and equipment. After seeing the North Yard, we toured the South Yard which serves primarily as the coal hub for coal trains to/from the powder river basin.
Following the Alliance yard tour, the group drove along the BNSF Sand Hills Subdivision, which primarily serves as a key artery for Powder River Basin coal, and closely parallels Nebraska State Highway 2. While coal was the primary traffic, manifest and unit trains were also photographed.
Day two closed with the annual membership and Board of Director’s meetings at the Holiday Inn meeting room in Alliance. Feedback from the membership was received, which should help improve the overall performance of the organization and attract new members. Discussion and ideas about how to help preserve BN equipment on the BNSF system were on topic and action items will be further discussed at future board of director’s meetings.
The Board of Directors meeting was also held, and 2026 election results were reviewed. Forty-nine votes were cast for three candidates running for two positions on the board. Incumbent John Adams was re-elected with 38 votes, and David Bonner was elected with 35 votes to replace retiring John Parker. The third candidate, Jeremiah Shoemaker, received 24 votes. Both John and David have two-year terms that will expire in 2028. The Board also voted in favor of Jeremiah Shoemaker assuming the role as Vice President of Organizational Operations. It was also decided that the 2027 convention will be held in Springfield, Missouri.
The evening closed with a small auction, which raised money for the organization. At times it became very competitive, but everyone had fun. The funds raised will more than cover any expenses of the event.
On day three of the event, we gathered in the hotel lobby to arrange carpools to drive to the Ponderosa Ranch near Crawford Wyoming. This property parallels the BNSF Butte Subdivision at Crawford Hill, a helper district with an average 1.55% eastbound grade between the towns of Crawford and Belmont.
Arrangements were made with the ranch owners to spend the day railfanning on the property. Transportation to the tracks was provided by the owners, where everyone hiked around and shot pictures of coal, manifest and unit trains ascending the grade and receiving help from manned helper sets. Lunch was provided by the owners, and everyone enjoyed burgers and sides that were delicious. On the drive back to Alliance, several members stopped at Belmont, the top of the Crawford Hill grade, to watch the helper sets “cut-off on the fly” and return to Crawford.
Day three closed with a group dinner at Sam & Louie’s Italian Restaurant in Alliance. We again had our own room and were able to talk, tell stories and have a fantastic meal together. We adjourned with goodbyes and plans to meet again next summer.
In closing, this year’s event was a resounding success, thanks to many people within the FOBNR, as well as our hosts, tour guides, and railroad/company employees who made it all possible.