Trains in motion: Railfans capture BNSF at work in eye-catching videos
By EUNICE ARCHILA
Staff Writer
From the whisper of steel wheels to the thunder of engines, every train tells a story. Through video, those stories come alive, capturing motion, power and sweeping landscapes across BNSF’s network.
In September, we launched our first-ever BNSF train video contest, inviting railfans to share their best clips of BNSF trains in action.
After reviewing an amazing collection of videos, we’re thrilled to announce the winners! And if you’re inspired to create your own rail content, remember to always film from a safe location outside of railroad property. Trespassing on tracks or the right-of-way is illegal and dangerous.
FIRST PLACE
Paul Ciechelski
“A westbound BNSF Z train crosses the Spoon River Bridge in the small community of Dahinda, Illinois, on June 23, 2023.”
There’s something mesmerizing about watching a train cross a bridge.
SECOND PLACE
Jacob Thees
“On a beautiful summer day, a westbound hotshot Z thunders through the curve in Ancona, Illinois.”
The vibrant colors in this shot instantly transport us to warm, sunny days.
📷: JRTHEES
THIRD PLACE
Miles Grace
“Gloomy is an understatement for this day. Western Washington rainfall is notorious for being extreme in the springtime. Today, this shower was constant, making the rails slippery and wet. However, wet rails don’t stop this BNSF yard transfer from getting the job done as it navigates the Seattle Terminal! This video was shot about a month before the leaves started coming in, adding an extra layer of gloom to the scene.”
Rain or shine, BNSF trains keep moving and they look just as majestic in the rain.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Alex Puskarich
“I found myself on the BNSF Brookfield Sub on March 19 of this year on the way back from a trip to the BNSF Marceline Sub. While driving back toward home in St. Louis, I spotted a manifest heading eastbound right next to U.S. 36. After I got ahead of it, I pulled off in the sleepy town of Lakenan, Missouri, on the outskirts of Shelbina. BNSF 8761, an EMD SD70ACe built in 2015, leads a mixed freight train over the Brookfield Sub as it heads for Galesburg, Illinois.”
Nothing beats the sight and sound of a train powering past on its way to its destination.
Jacob Thees
“A Pacific Northwest-bound westbound hotshot throttles up after meeting an eastbound Q high-priority train at Chadwick, Illinois.”
A dusting of snow and a BNSF intermodal train have us thinking about the holidays. Too soon?
📷: JRTHEES
Jericho Palguta
“A BNSF intermodal train rumbles over the ex-ATSF bridge at Larkspur, Colorado, as it begins its climb to Palmer Lake on the Joint Line.”
This close-up shot on a clear Colorado day is a 10/10.
Michael De La Torre
“A BNSF train rolls through Fullerton, California.”
Palm trees make the perfect backdrop to an incoming BNSF train.
Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to everyone who participated in making this first video contest a success. Your love for railroading shines through every frame. Stay tuned for more opportunities to show off your railfanning skills!
