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Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
2012 Convention
Amarillo, Texas
This PowerPoint presentation shows some of the
highlights of the June 13-16, 2012 Friends of the
Burlington Northern RR (FOBNR) annual convention in
Amarillo, Texas. N-Joy!
Patrick Lana
PowerPoint slides and Photos by Patrick Lana, MMR unless otherwise noted.
Photos have been compressed to reduce file size so quality may vary.
Introduction
Six of us Coloradans attended the 2012 Friends of the Burlington Northern
RR annual convention in Amarillo, TX. Mike Danneman and I rode with
Travis Searls from his Parker, CO home to Amarillo. We caravanned with
John Parker who had Rodney Black and Mike Spahn in his car. We left
Travis’ house about 7:45am, June 13, for Amarillo and the FOBNR
Convention. We arrived around 4:30pm at the Ambassador (convention)
Hotel and met with other attendees for supper at the BIG TEXAN. It was a
time to renew acquaintances and meet new friends. After supper, we
returned to the hotel for slides and videos.
There were 22 attendees from
10 states.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2012
We began Thursday by
carpooling to Borger, TX, the
headquarters of the Panhandle
Northern Railroad (PNR).
We were given an overview
briefing and tour of the
PNR offices by Joe Walker,
Trainmaster, grey shirt
with coffee cup. Then we
toured the yard and various
industrial parts of the
town.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2012
The Boot Scrapper.
Standard equipment at most buildings in the Texas Panhandle.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2012
OmniTrRAX GP10 rebuilt from a Illinois Central GP9 and SW1200
of unknown heritage.
Insert: Dave Poplawski organized the convention and all the tours.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2011
Central Kansas Railway GP7u and
OmniTRAX GP35 Switching Yard.
Insert: The crew (3 guys to right in safety
vests) came over to give Mr. Walker (left in
vest) a hard time because his radio was on
voice-activated and interrupting their
communications.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2011
Switching Yard.
OmniTRAX PNR #2254
is a GP35 (former
DRGW 3042) and
Central Kansas Railway
#2230 is GP7u rebuilt
from ATSF GP7.
Insert: Yard Scale.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2012
After a drive-through tour of a local refinery, we stopped in the parking lot
of one of the Carbon Black Industries in Borger. Almost immediately the
plant manager confronted us in his parking lot, asking that we not take
photos of his plant which we complied with. He then proceeded to
enthusiastically tell us about how carbon black is made and shipped. This is
a photo of the other carbon black plant across the street.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2012
A carbon black railcar parked on a siding in town. The car is loaded through
the roof hatches and unloaded through the hoppers on the bottom. The
three small valves on the side are for testing the quality of the carbon
black. Although carbon black is flour-like, it is shipped in BB sized pellets.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2012
Mike Danneman getting a shot of
the Carbon Black railcar.
The ends of the same cars.
Note carbon black on the ground
between cars.
Mike Danneman and I were riding with Pat Hiatte in his newly detailed
BMW– a beautiful machine. After touring the railroad and photographing
various locations around the yard and carbon black industries, I looked
down at what used to be Pat’s tan floor mats. They were now black from
the carbon black. I apologized to Pat for messing up his floor mats but he
just shrugged if off by saying the mats were already dirty. However, the
proof was there as the black imprint of my hiking boots’ tread was
evident on the floor mat. I hope he got them clean!!
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2012
On our return trip to Amarillo, we stopped in Panhandle, TX to get some
shots of the station. This is on the BNSF “Transcon” mainline from Chicago
to Los Angeles. The Panhandle Northern interchange point is here.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday morning June 14, 2012
While taking this exterior
shot, a lady came out of the
station and asked if we
wanted a tour of the
interior. The station has
been converted to city
offices but some of the
original equipment is still
inside.
This scale in the baggage area still works and
read about 695 pounds. I gave Mike
Danneman a hard time since he was standing
on the scale.*
* But there was also a motorcycle on the scale.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Fred Theiss’ HO scale layout
After a quick lunch at a local MacDonalds, we headed for Fred Theiss’ fine HO
scale layout in Canyon, TX. This is the aisle furthest back in the layout room.
The layout is in a separate building from his house.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Fred Theiss’ HO scale layout
The first aisle as you enter the layout room, with the door being off to the
center right. A huge double track helix is just to the right of this photo.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Fred Theiss’ HO scale layout
Above is Fred’s turntable and
roundhouse and to the right is his
engine facility.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Fred Theiss’ HO scale layout
In the shop area, our Colorado contingent was waiting for the cookies!
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Canyon, TX Depot
Eastbound Manifest on Transcon at Canyon, TX
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum layout
The Amarillo RR Museum Layout Helix.
For a track plan and more information see the website:
http://amarillorailmuseum.com/layout.html
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum layout
Looking down from the balcony onto the layout “roof”.
The layout represents the Santa Fe Railway from Canadian, Texas, to Clovis, New
Mexico, in HO-scale.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum layout
This CTC panel is on the balcony overlooking the layout. Long-term plans call
for rehabilitating the panel for use as the control for the layout. Pat and Dave
give it a close inspection as it is made of hundreds of 1” square modules that
can be rearranged into various track plans.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum
Pantex facility and white train. Bob Roth slide
Bob Roth presented a comprehensive PowerPoint show
on the white train composed of Department of Energy
(USDOE) Nuclear Weapons Transport Cars. The museum
has 11 cars of the retired train. For more photos and
information on this train see:
http://amarillorailmuseum.com/white_train.html
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum White Train Escort Coach
The Museum has 3 of these coaches. See
http://amarillorailmuseum.com/WhiteTrainRoster.pdf
for the White Train complete roster.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum White Train Escort Coach
The Interior of an Escort Coach from left
to right: kitchen area, sleeping quarters
and cupola end.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum White Train Power Buffer Car
This car was the same shape as a cargo car but had all
the equipment necessary to power and serve the escort
coaches. It was placed between the coach and cargo
cars in the train.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum White Train Cargo Car
This car carried the nuclear weapons. It is the only
cargo car the museum has. Note the only outward
appearance difference between the power buffer car
and the cargo car is the lack of vents.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum White Train
I assume the cars had been
stenciled by USDOE;
DO NOT ALTER
RAILCAR OR
REMOVE PARTS
SAVE FOR
HISTORICAL
PURPOSE.
This would be a nice detail on a
model railroad.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum Helium Car
Pat Hiatte in front of the museum’s
first donation: a former Bureau of
Mines Helium Transport Car.
For some reason, Pat was
speaking in a high-pitched,
squeaky voice.
According to the Museum’s website;
“This car is historically interesting in that Amarillo was the only helium
depository in the US, and the history of helium tracks not only the history
of toy balloons, but of warfare, the atomic age, and now our leap to the
stars!”
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum
This ALCO S2 was donated to the museum by the USDOE
from the Amarillo Pantex Plant.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday afternoon June 14, 2012
Amarillo Railroad Museum
What a great way to end the Museum tour
with rides on the ALCO S2. Just look at
those smiles!
Thanks, ARM!
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Thursday evening June 14, 2012
Membership meeting and Slides and Videos
Thursday evening was the membership meeting where members could
provide suggestions and feedback to the board. Attendees also showed their
own PowerPoint or videos including a special showing by Mike Danneman of
BN slides he had taken in the Midwest in the 1970’s.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday Morning June 15, 2012
Tour of BNSF facilities in Amarillo
Our tour guide this morning was Mr. Jason McBride, BNSF Terminal Manager
(in green shirt) for Amarillo.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday Morning June 15, 2012
1
Tour of BNSF facilities in Amarillo
All decked out in our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)– safety glasses
and vests. Our tour guide Mr. McBride is explaining North Yard.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday morning June 15, 2012
Group shot taken during the BNSF Amarillo tour at the North Yard. BNSF gave us the
reflective vests and eye-protective sun glasses. Thank You!
Jason McBride photo.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday Morning June 15, 2012
Tour of BNSF facilities in Amarillo
The Yard tower is no
longer open but the
building is used for a
crew change point.
We were allowed to
climb to the top of the
5 story tower and
macho-me, I did. It
was a small circular
staircase (elevator not
working). I paid for it
the rest of the trip
with sore legs!
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday Morning June 15, 2012
Tour of BNSF facilities in Amarillo
The view looking South from the Yard Tower. The interstate at the bottom
of this photo is the reason the tower was closed.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday Morning June 15, 2012
Tour of BNSF facilities in Amarillo
The view looking North from the Yard Tower. Hey, if I had to climb it, you
have to look at the photos! Note engine facility on far right.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday Morning June 15, 2012
Tour of BNSF facilities in Amarillo
Looking at the Trainmaster’s panel
showing trains in the Amarillo area.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday Morning June 15, 2012
Tour of BNSF facilities in Amarillo
Back on the bus to travel
to the locomotive facility.
Normally I wouldn’t
dedicate a whole slide to
this but I must point out
that Rodney Black is
resplendent in his PPE
safety glasses, Kansas
Division cap and safety
vest. He is the only one of
us wearing a vest with
yellow reflective stripes.
We can only deduce that
he was wearing a student
vest to denote his
position. <grin>
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday Morning June 15, 2012
Tour of BNSF facilities in Amarillo
Fueling Pad at Loco Facility
BNSF 2818 is a GP39M, former GP30 UP 871.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday Morning June 15, 2012
Tour of BNSF facilities in Amarillo
Turntable at Loco Facility. By this time we were running late so I shot this
from the bus window as we sped past.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday noon June 15, 2012
Railfanning Amarillo
On our way to the Friday afternoon tour, I was riding with Dave and John
when seconds before I took this shot a car ran the crossing gates. I wish I
would have gotten the license number.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
Progress Rail Services Tour
Our next stop was Progress Rail Services railcar repair shop in Amarillo.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
Progress Rail Services Tour
Here they are shortening well cars.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
Progress Rail Services Tour
These high cubes were in for repairs and
repainting. The insert shows the interior
painting process.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
Progress Rail Services Tour
Interior painting and lettering of High
Cube box cars. If cargo is stacked higher
than the line, the shipper has to
recalculate the center of gravity to make
sure the car is not top heavy.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
Progress Rail Services Tour
Overall Shop View
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
1
Progress Rail Services Tour
Newly painted tank car in “drying booth.”
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
Progress Rail Services Tour
Experimental Fire Suppression Cars.
BNSF did not buy.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
Railfanning Amarillo
After the Progress Rail Services tour we headed downtown to see the old
depot. It is privately owned so it is difficult to get good overall photos. This
is a front view.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
Railfanning Amarillo
These horse statues must be a trademark of Amarillo as they can be see all
over the city in various paint schemes. This one was in front of the Amarillo
Depot.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday afternoon June 15, 2012
Railfanning Amarillo
Westbound stack train east of town on Transcon.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday evening June 15, 2012
FOBNR Board annual meeting
President John Adams* presiding (at far end of table).
Not all the board members could attend so they were teleconferenced in.
Here VP Dave (to the right of John) is talking to the board members.
*Sorry Doctor, I just could not help myself!
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Friday evening June 15, 2011
Jerry Michels of the Amarillo RR Museum shows slides of BN in Amarillo to
round out the day’s activities. Other attendees also presented their slides.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2011
Track side of Amarillo Station
The agenda called for us to carpool to the Canadian River Bridge Saturday
morning but others had explored the area earlier and told the group you
could not get close to the bridge. So we all split up in carloads and
railfanned the whole day. The day started out cloudy.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2012
Amarillo Railfanning
Eastbound stack train, location unknown but the sky is clearing.
There are 3 main lines here and we were told that 97 trains went
through Amarillo on Saturday.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2012
Amarillo Railfanning
Westbound Grain Train, location unknown. I was riding with Pat
Hiatte again. Mike Danneman and Kent Charles were with us.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2012
Amarillo Railfanning
Eastbound Grain Train leaving Canon, Texas. This was as
far South as we got Saturday. From here we returned to
Amarillo, stopped at a hobby shop and then went on for
lunch.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2011
Amarillo Railfanning
After lunch, Westbound Coal Train. Kent and Mike in the lower left.
We found out in the evening that the Amarillo Terminal
Superintendant had notified the railroad police and train crews that
a number of us would be out photographing so not to be concerned.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2011
Amarillo Railfanning
I took this photo to show that South
of Amarillo, the Transcon is
composed of three mainline tracks.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2011
Amarillo Railfanning
This last photo seemed to summarize the
whole railfanning day for me. Many trains, lots
of photo locations and good friends. From left
to right, Pat, Mike, Kent and the BNSF.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2012
FOBNR Banquet
This is one table of three that was set up for us in our hotel meeting
room. We ordered from the hotel menu.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2012
FOBNR Banquet
This is table two of three that was set up for us.
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2012
FOBNR Banquet
John and Kent discussing the photo ops of the day.
“If I hold this skewer just right…”
Friends of the Burlington Northern RR
Saturday June 15, 2012
FOBNR Banquet
Dave Poplawski introducing the banquet speaker, Jason McBride.
On behalf of the Colorado contingent, thank you to Dave for putting on such
a great convention and to Mr. McBride for showing us the BNSF in Amarillo in
such detail and with such wonderful hospitality.
THANK YOU FOR A GREAT TIME!
Overall Trip Notes:
The next morning, June 17, 2012, our
Colorado contingent of Travis, John,
Rodney, Mike, Mike and me left the hotel
about 7:30am local time for the trek home.
I arrived home about 3:30pm.
Travis figures he put about 1700 miles on
his car. Of the four days we were on the
road, it never rained while we were touring
or railfanning. I managed to take over 350
photos so what you see here is only a
sample.
My thanks to Kent Charles for identifying
various locos in this presentation. All in all,
it was a great trip…
The Author Not Trespassing.
Kent Charles Photo
BUT IT IS GOOD TO BE HOME!