Employee Communications

2006 BNSF Railway Special Train To Travel Through Southwestern Segment of Network

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) will launch its annual BNSF Railway Special in Gallup, N.M., on June 5, 2006. This year's BNSF Railway Special will make a 5,000-mile journey covering portions of BNSF's busy main line connecting Los Angeles to Chicago. The train's route will follow much of the former U.S. Highway 66, making stops in New Mexico, Arizona and California. The 20-day trip will conclude Sunday, June 25, in Los Angeles.

Designed to recognize BNSF employees, their families, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and local communities, the annual BNSF Railway Special operates each year on a different part of BNSF's network. Last year's route paralleled many portions of the Lewis and Clark expedition 200 years earlier.

The BNSF Railway Special features 13 restored vintage passenger railcars from the 1950s and 1960s, powered by two of BNSF's newest locomotives. Passengers will include more than 5,000 BNSF employees and their families, as well as an estimated 1,800 Boys & Girls Club participants in five cities, BNSF customers, and state and local officials. The train is provided only for employees and special guests.

"Each year we operate the BNSF Railway Special to honor our employees and the communities where they live and work. It's always our privilege to share the excitement of the railroad, and this trip provides to those on board a glimpse of the vital role our railroad plays along this part of our network," said Richard A. Russack, vice president, Corporate Relations.

Benefiting the Boys & Girls Club

For the sixth consecutive year, as part of the BNSF Railway Special, BNSF is partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – providing free, round-trip train rides to children while raising funds for the local organizations. This year the BNSF Special will host Club members and guests from five different Boys & Girls Clubs along the three-state route, including Gallup, N.M., Phoenix, Fresno, Calif., Bakersfield, Calif., and Los Angeles.

In addition, The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation has pledged donations totaling up to $75,000 this year to the participating Boys & Girls Club organizations and the national organization.