Equipment Information

Burlington Northern BN2 is a modernized freight locomotive known as a “booster.” It was built as an F9B freight engine for the Northern Pacific Railroad and was designed to supplement, or boost, the power of a manned locomotive or “cab unit.” In 1982 it was retired and converted into a power car for a rotary snow plow. In 1990 it was rebuilt again with modern equipment for the purpose of pulling the BN’s “executive train” of passenger cars.

Burlington Northern BN2 Details

Builder: Electro Motive Division GM
Year Built: 1954
Model: F-9B
Horsepower: 2000
Length: 52ft 4in
Width: 10ft 4in
Height: 14ft 9in
Weight: 228000 lbs
Brakes: 26L
Engine: 16-645CE
Motors: 4 EMD D77
Trucks: Blomberg M
Description: Diesel-Electric / Rebuilt to 38-2 specs (Ex MW 972574 / BN 809 / NP 7002C)
Arrived: 1997
Condition: Complete / unrestored / operational

Photo gallery

Burlington Northern BN2 Ownership History

1954-1970 – Northern Pacific #7002C
1970-1982 – Burlington Northern #809
1982-1990 – Burlington Northern #972574
1990-1995 – Burlington Northern #BN2
1995-1997 – Burlington Northern Santa Fe #BN2
1997-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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