BNSF

BNSF Railway, one of North America's largest freight railroads, was formed on September 22, 1995, through the merger of Burlington Northern Railroad and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Its heritage traces back to 1849 with the Aurora Branch Railroad, growing from over 400 predecessor lines. Officially merged in 1996, the company became BNSF Railway in 2005.
The railway is a critical freight transporter, operating roughly 32,500 miles of track across 28 states and three Canadian provinces. It connects the U.S. West Coast with the Midwest and Southeast. Key components included the Great Northern Railway, known for its "Empire Builder" route, and the Santa Fe Railway, a pioneer in Southwest rail.