Equipment Information

Burlington Northern BN3 is a diesel passenger locomotive known as a “cab unit.” It was built as Burlington 9989A to haul long-distance passenger trains like the Denver Zephyr and was later rebuilt as BN 9919 to pull commuter trains between Chicago and Aurora. In 1990 it was assigned to pull the BN “executive train” of passenger cars.

Burlington Northern BN3 Details

Builder: Electro Motive Division GM
Year Built: 1956
Model: E-9AM
Horsepower: 2400
Length: 70ft 3in
Width: 10ft 6in
Height: 14ft
Weight: 340000 lbs
Brakes: PS-68
Engine: Two 12-645CE
Motors: 4 EMD
Trucks: Blomberg A1A
Description: Diesel-Electric
Arrived: 1997
Condition: Complete / unrestored / operational

Ownership History

1956-1970 – Chicago Burlington & Quincy #9989A
1970-1973 – Burlington Northern #9989
1973-1990 – Burlington Northern #9919
1990-1995 – Burlington Northern #BN3
1995-1997 – Burlington Northern Santa Fe #BN3
1997-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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