The BN Expediter – Back Issues: 1993 – 2000

Scroll down for a description and cover shot of each issue:

Click here for a sample of one of the issues on the CD (5 Mbytes).

Please Note:  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 1993-2000 issues for $40 (each issue will be a single file PDF format).


January 1993 – Volume 1 Number 1

The January 1993 issue (8 pages) contains:

  • Passenger Service on the BN (Part 1), by John Strauss
    A comprehensive article about all BN passenger trains beginning on March 3, 1970 and ending on April 30, 1971 (no photos).

April 1993 – Volume 1 Number 2

The April 1993 issue (12 pages) contains:

  • Passenger Service on the BN (Part 2), by John Strauss
    A comprehensive article about all BN passenger trains beginning on March 3, 1970 and ending on April 30, 1971 (with a few photos).
  • Operating and Maintenance Function Reorganization
    A listing of the new corridor/division/subdivision organization on January 1, 1993.

July 1993 – Volume 1 Number 3

The July 1993 issue (12 pages) contains:

  • A Medley of BN Company Service Equipment, by Jerry Pitts
    Photos and info about twelve odd pieces of equipment, including a weed sprayer, tool and supply cars,
    kitchen, dining and personnel cars, scale test and water cars, and snowplows.
  • Passenger Service on the BN (Part 3), by John Strauss
    A comprehensive article about all BN passenger trains beginning on March 3, 1970 and ending on April 30, 1971 (with a few photos).

October 1993 – Volume 1 Number 4

The October 1993 issue (12 pages) contains:

  • The BN Fuel Tender Story, by Jerry Pitts
    A long article about the vision and implementation of BN fuel tenders (with photos).
  • The Galesburg Convention, by Dave Poplawski
    A recount of the activities of the FOBNR’s first convention (with photos).

January 1994 – Volume 2 Number 1

The January 1994 issue (16 pages) contains:

  • BN’s “City Scene” Trailers and Containers, by John Becker
    A short article with all trailer numberings (with photos).
  • BN Operation of South Dakota’s ex-Milwaukee Road Trackage, by Jeff Hendricks
    A long article (with maps, timetables and photos).
  • Saunders, Wisconsin, by Dave Poplawski
    A short article about operations at the junction (with map and photos).

April 1994 – Volume 2 Number 2

The April 1994 issue (16 pages) contains:

  • Breezy Point and BN’s Horseshoe Curves in Nebraska, by Jerry Pitts
    An article about Crawford Hill (with map and photos).
  • Wishram Washington, by Kristopher Lundt
    An article about action at Wishram (with map, photos, timetables and train information).
  • The SD70MAC Makes its Debut, by Robert Del Grosso
    A short article about the delivery of the first SD70MACs.
  • Weather Woes
    Photos and information about snow related issues, including a snow jet.

July 1994 – Volume 2 Number 3

The July 1994 issue (16 pages) contains:

  • The Hill Lines Become the Green Giant, by John Strauss
    A short history of the evolution of the BN from 1896 to 1970.
  • A Summer of Change, by Dennis Pehoski
    1993 Taconite operations on the BN (with map and photos).
  • The story behind the BN Logo, by Jerry Pitts
    A short article on the development and acceptance and evolution of the BN logo.
  • BN’s New Radio Frequencies
    An almost complete list of radio frequencies assigned to main-line routes across the system as of January, 1994.

October 1994 – Volume 2 Number 4

The October 1994 issue (16 pages) contains:

  • BN Locomotive Chronicles: 1970
    An article about locomotive activities during 1970, including renumberings, repaintings, new acquisitions and retirements (with photos).
  • Trinidad Loop, One of BN’s Hidden Hot Spots, by Kristopher Lundt
    A short article about the loop in Eastern Washington (with map and photos).
  • BN-Ordered 4750cc Covered Hoppers, by David Lehlbach
    A short article about the newly delivered covered hoppers (with photos).
  • BN and Santa Fe Propose Merger
    A short article about the details of the proposal.

January 1995 – Volume 3 Number 1

The January 1995 issue (16 pages) contains:

  • Snowplow activity in North Dakota, by David Gasal
    Use of rotary snowplows during the winters of 92/93 and 93/94 (with photos).
  • BNFE 3 and BN’s CO2 Cooled Reefers, by Jerry Pitts
    Information about the history and specifications of BNFE 3 versus BN’s 751000 series refrigerator cars (with diagram and photos).
  • BN East End Traffic Summary, by Alex Engelke
    A complete listing of all trains running on Chicago-Aurora triple-track mainline (except commuters).
  • 24 Hours on BN’s East End, by Rick Moser and Alex Engelke
    A record of every train passing milepost 27 between 6am on August 12th through 6am on August 13, 1994 (time, locomotive numbers, train number).

April 1995 – Volume 3 Number 2

The April 1995 issue (16 pages) contains:

  • Locomotive Chronicles 1971
    A long article about BN’s locomotive activites during 1971, including acquisitions and dispositions (with photos).
  • BN’s Aluminum Covered Hoppers, by David Lehlbach and Dan Holbrook
    An article about the development and acquisition of a new design (with photos).

July 1995 – Volume 3 Number 3

The July 1995 issue (16 pages) contains:

  • North Portland Jct, by Kristopher Lundt
    Action at a busy junction (with maps and photos).
  • BN’s Beth-Combo Cars, by Jerry Pitts
    A long article about a combined box/hopper car (with photos and data).
  • BN/SF Merger Update
    Up-to-date information on agreements made with other railroads and ports in order to remove opposition.

October 1995 – Volume 3 Number 4

The October 1995 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • Locomotive Chronicles 1972
    Locomotive activity during 1972 including acquisitions and dispositions (with photos).
  • BNA 99, by Dennis Pehoski
    BN’s technical training car (with photos).
  • BN Freight Car Deliveries: 1994, by Doug Stark
    A short article about BN’s freight car acquisitions (with photos and data)

January 1996 – Volume 4 Number 1

The January 1996 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • Steam Heat: The Story of BN’s ex-F Unit Heater Cars, by Jerry Pitts
    A short article on the conversions (with data, diagrams and photos).
  • Seattle Terminal Complex, by John Strauss
    A short article, with a complete list of trains into and out of Seattle area terminals (with photos).
  • Interbay Locomotive Shops, by John Strauss
    The history and current operation of the shops (with photos).
  • Interbay Car Shops, by John Strauss
    A short article about current operations.
  • Ballard Draw Bridge, by John Strauss
    The history of the bridge (with photo).
  • BN Business, by Gary Seymour
    An article about the economic aspects of the BN in 1994, the last year before the merger, including a breakdown of revenue and expense categories.

April 1996 – Volume 4 Number 2

The April 1996 (color) issue (20 pages) contains:

  • BN(SF) Freight Car Developments, by David Lehlbach
    A short article about grain car consolidations and new coal gons and boxcars.
  • Locomotive Chronicles 1973
    Activities, acquisitions, dispositions (with photos).
  • BN’s Aurora Subdivision: The C&I, by Alex Engelke
    Current operations (with maps, timetable and photos).
  • BNSF System Map, with plans for merged operations at many locations.

July 1996 – Volume 4 Number 3

The July 1996 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • BN’s Secondhand Freight Car Fleet: A 1980-1996 Overview, by Doug Stark
    A short article with data and lots of photos.
  • The B9 Track Geometry Car by Jerry Pitts
    A short article with photo.
  • Northern Star ALl-Composite Box Car, by Jerry Pitts
    The development and details of this experimental prototype (with data and photos).
  • BN Tool House – Motor Car House at Hillsboro, North Dakota, by Martin Evoy III
    A short article, with photo and scale drawing.

October 1996 – Volume 4 Number 4

The October 1996 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • BN Locomotive Chronicles: 1974
    Activities, acquisitions, dispositions (with photos).
  • Building a BN GP10 in N Scale, by George Nelson
    How-to, with photo and list of materials.
  • The New Connection at Cameron, by David Lehlbach
    A description of the new tracks connecting the ex-BN and ex-SF mainlines near Galesburg, IL (with map and photos).
  • BN Freight Car Deliveries: 1995, by Doug Stark
    A summary of new freight cars (with data and photos).

January 1997 – Volume 5 Number 1

The January 1997 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • Air Repeater Cars, by Jerry Pitts
    Information and photos.
  • 1994 BN Train Manifest
    Diagrams of all BN intermodal and manifest trains.
  • Going into the Hole, by Dave Poplawski
    A short article about the process of getting into and out of a siding in Track Warrant Control (TWC) territory.

April 1997 – Volume 5 Number 2

The April 1997 color issue (20 pages) contains:

  • BN Locomotive Chronicles: 1975
    activities, acquisitions and dispositions (with photos).
  • Mr. Thomas K. Lee, 1996 Convention Speaker: Remarks and Q/A
  • Merchandise Routings Shift from Former GN to Former NP, by David Lehlbach
    A short article about operational changes (with photos).

July 1997 – Volume 5 Number 3

The July 1997 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • The Amber Subdivision and The Hinckley Local, by Dave Poplawski
    A description of the entire Minnesota subdivision and the local train that operates on it (with maps, timetable and photos).
  • Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brake Development on the BN and BNSF, by Jerry Pitts
    Technology, operation and installed equipment (with diagrams, charts and photos).
  • BN’s ACF Cylindricals, by Doug Stark
    Description and roster of cylindrical center flow covered hoppers (with diagrams and photos).
  • The Stryker, Montana Log Loading Station, by Martin Evoy III
    A short article on the layout and use (with photos and map).

October 1997 – Volume 5 Number 4

The October 1997 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • The ’97 Galesburg Convention, by John Adams
    A description of the events and activities.
  • BN Locomotive Chronicles: 1976
    Activities, acquisitions and dispositions (with photos).
  • Mechanical Reefer BNFE 180311, by Jerry Pitts
    A short article about one of a common car series (with data and photos).
  • BN Freight Car Deliveries: 1996, by Doug Stark
    New and rebuilds (with data and photos).
  • BN Route Density Map
    Expected gross tons per mile in 1998.
  • Three-Letter Origin/Destination Codes
    A complete list.
  • The Havre Diesel Shop in 1984
    A status report, with many statistics.

January 1998 – Volume 6 Number 1

The January 1998 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • BN’s Electric Trailers, by Jerry Pitts
    A short article about ex-NP slugs (with data and photos).
  • BNSF 511824-511965 GBSR Gondolas, by Jerry Pitts
    A short article about these ex-BN gons (with photos).
  • BN Extended Cab GP50’s 3158-3162 in HO scale, by Micheal Farley
    How to extend the cab (with material list and photos).
  • A Potpourri of Snow Fighting Equipment (during summer vacation), by Dennis Pehoski
    Photos and info about various snowdozers, spreaders and a Bros snowblower.
  • M-of-W Flat Car Loads
    Panel track, a rail grinder and a camp car on flat cars (with photos and info).

April 1998 – Volume 6 Number 2

The April 1998 color issue (20 pages) contains:

  • Locomotive Chronicles: 1977
    Activities, acquisitions and dispostions, including a list list of the last unit of each pre-merger color scheme to go green (with photos).
  • The Floods of ’97 and the Repairs at Mud Lake, South Dakota, by Jeff Hendricks
    A description of the damage and repairs (with photos).
  • The Flashing White Signals East of Laclede, by Martin Evoy III
    A long article about a mysterious signal on the Newport subdivision (with timetable, map and photos).
  • The end of the Second Subdivision, by David Lehlbach
    A long article on the history, operation, and demise of the Camas Prairie Railroad (with photos).

July 1998 – Volume 6 Number 3

The July 1998 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • Mr. Joe Conklin, 1997 Convention Speaker, Remarks and Q/A
    A transcript of his talk and questions and answers.
  • Photographing Marias Pass, by Paul Merriman
    Tips on when and where to get the best shots (with photos).
  • BN’s Scale Test Cars, by Doug Stark
    Operation of BN’s fleet of this non-revenue equipment (with complete list and photos).
  • A Bibliography of BN and BNSF book, by Butch Eyler and Jerry Pitts
    A list of 33 books from many authors up to 1997.

October 1998 – Volume 6 Number 4

The October 1998 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • The ’98 Essex, MT Convention, by George Nelson
    A description of the activities and events.
  • Bonanza at Powder River 1971, by John Strauss
    Chapter 3 from John’s The Burlington Northern Operational Chronology 1970-1995, a long article covering BN operations during 1971 (not just coal), including a listing of all time freights.
  • BN Locomotive Chronicles: 1978
    Activities, acquisitions and dispositions (with photos).
  • The BNA6 Executive Car Yakima River -> Missouri River, by Jerry Pitts
    A short article on this car (with photos).
  • BN Freight Car Deliveries: 1997, by Doug Stark
    A summary of all new freight cars (with data and photos).
  • A Bibliography of BN and BNSF Books and Articles, by Jerry Pitts and Barry Sadicarios
    A listing of 13 books, 84 prototype articles, and 34 modeling articles published about the BN and BNSF up to 1998.

January 1999 – Volume 7 Number 1

The January 1999 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • BN’s Chicago Commuter Operations, by Bill Miotek
    The history and current operations, including the end of the E-units and the arrival of the F40PHM-2’s (with photos and an extended bibligraphy).

April 1999 – Volume 7 Number 2

The April 1999 color issue (20 pages) contains:

  • Trains Meet at Broomfield, by Joe Snider
    The history and operations around Broomfield, CO (with photos).
  • BN Locomotive Chronicles: 1979
    Activities, acquisitions and dispositions (with photos).

July 1999 – Volume 7 Number 3

The July 1999 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • Report on the 1999 Annual Convention in Kansas City, by John Adams
    Activities and events.
  • Can I Inspire Your Interest in Signaling? (Part I), by Martin Evoy
    A long article about the ins and outs of BN/BNSF signals (with photos).

October 1999 – Volume 7 Number 4

The October 1999 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • BN Freight Car Deliveries: 1998, by Doug Stark
    A summary of all new freight cars (with data and photos).
  • Can I Inspire Your Interest in Signaling? (Part II), by Martin Evoy
    A continuation of the previous issue’s article (with photos).

January 2000 – Volume 8 Number 1

The January 2000 issue (16 pages) contains:

  • BNSF and CN announce merger
    A short article on the proposed merger.
  • BN Locomotive Chronicles: 1980
    Activities, acquisitions and dispositions (with photos).
  • Train Symbol Conversion Chart
    BN train numbers to BNSF 6-letter symbols.

April 2000 – Volume 8 Number 2

The April 2000 color issue (20 pages) contains:

  • Minneapolis-St. Paul Hot Spots, by Kevin Madsen
    An extensive review of all the great train-watching spots in and around the twin cities (with maps, timetables and photos)

July 2000 – Volume 8 Number 3

The July 2000 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • Can I Inspire Your Interest In Signaling? (Part III), by Martin Evoy
    Pictures and discussion of signals around the system.
  • Along the Line:
    Photos and captions of interesting rail activity around the system.

October 2000 – Volume 8 Number 4

The October 2000 issue (20 pages) contains:

  • The Boeing 737 Railcar Program, by John Schlueter
    A discussion of equipment and procedures for moving 737 fuselages from Kansas to Washington (with diagrams
    and photos).
  • BNSF Freight Car Deliveries: 1999, by Doug Stark
    A discussion of the year’s new freight cars (with data and photos).