Lincoln was without a doubt a BN town, a major hub of the railroad's system in the region, as it continues to be for the BNSF today. Here the BN based it's Headquarters of the Nebraska Division, which oversaw traffic in Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. Here four major mainlines of the road converged, including BN's main Powder River coal corridor. With the Havelock Shops, the BN's first class car repair facility on the eastern part of town to the sprawling 7-mile long, 1 mile wide Hobson Yard on the western edge, the BN was everywhere.

This small gallery features images of the BN - locomotives, equipment and some inside cab shots. All photos were taken at Lincoln, Nebraska unless otherwise noted.

A Brief History
While its predecessors number more than 330 and date back as early as 1849, Burlington Northern Railroad (BN) was created on March 2, 1970, by the merger of four primary railroads: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Co. (CB&Q); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (NP); Great Northern Railway Co. (GN); and the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway Co. (SP&S). It is interesting to note that GN's first president, James J. Hill, attempted to merge GN and NP in 1893, only to have the merger denied by the U.S. government. In 1901, Hill again tried to merge the two railroads, this time with the CB&Q, but was turned down a second time. In fact, these railroads tried to merge four times (1893, 1901, 1927, 1961) before finally receiving ICC approval. Later, in 1980, the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Co. (Frisco) was acquired and merged into BN.  Each of BN's predecessor railroads played an important role in developing the American west. (source: BNSF)

BN 1 - the classic F-9 streamliner basks in the rays of a setting sun at Lincoln Station. 6/29/96 - T. Greuter Photo

BN 1 - is officially classified as an F9A-2. BN-2, it's B-unit mate, is a F9B-2. 6/29/96 - T. Greuter Photo

BN 1 - The engine is often used for highly-visible, high-profile trips such as inspection trains and excursions. 6/29/96 - T. Greuter Photo

BN 574 - the SW 1000 switcher lazily tugs a grimy caboose on a hot summer day. - T. Greuter Photo

BN 576 - look closely and you can make out "BURLINGTON" under the peeling green on the hood. 2/8/97 - T. Greuter Photo

BN 584 - October 1995 - T. Greuter Photo

BN 1991 - an SD60 M, painted to honor 44 BN employees who were called to duty in the 1992 Gulf War. 7/8/95 - T. Greuter Photo

BN 1991 - 7/8/95 - T. Greuter Photo

BN 1991 - closeup of BN's emblem honoring US servicemen involved in the 1991 'Desert Storm' Gulf War; 7/8/95 - T. Greuter Photo

BN 1991 - the patriotic SD60 M is seen here on the Omaha Line. 7/8/95 - T. Greuter Photo

BN 1991 - 7/8/95 - T. Greuter Photo

The BN Galleries:
BN Motive Power - 1 (#1-1991) - BN Motive Power - 2 (#2000-4999)
BN Motive Power - 3 (#5000-6999) - BN Motive Power - 4 (#7000-9999)
BN Freight, Cabooses & MoW Equipment

The BNSF and ATSF also have their own galleries.

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Latest update: Thursday, 13 November, 2003

All photos & text © 2000-2003 T. Greuter / Screaming Eagles, unless otherwise noted. All Rights Reserved.

Contributing Photographers:
Jay Glenewinkel, Steve Schuman

Recommended Sites:
Grumpy's World - excellent BNSF photos
QStation - BNSF/BN/ATSF resource