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).

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).

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.

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).

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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).

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.

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).

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).

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.

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.

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).

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).

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).

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).

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.

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)

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.

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).