Few locomotives capture the romance and power of mid-century American railroading quite like BN-1. This striking EMD F9A has lived multiple lives — from Northern Pacific freight and passenger service, to a specially rebuilt executive unit for Burlington Northern, and finally as a preserved piece of history at the Illinois Railway Museum.
Our new Burlington Northern BN-1 Heritage Mug collection was created to honor this remarkable machine. The weathered, character-filled artwork you see on the mugs pays tribute to the hard-working spirit of these classic F-units that helped shape the modern railroad era.
Front view of the BN-1 artwork — the commanding presence of the F9A cab unit is unmistakable.
Built for the Northern Pacific: 1954
BN-1 began life in 1954 as Northern Pacific #6700A, an EMD F9A. The F9 series was the last and most powerful of EMD’s famous “F-unit” cab locomotives. Equipped with a 16-cylinder 567C diesel engine, these 1,750-horsepower machines were designed for both freight and passenger service.
Northern Pacific purchased a large fleet of F9As and F9Bs. The 6700A and its sisters hauled everything from fast passenger trains to heavy freight across the Northern Pacific’s vast territory in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. With their distinctive bulldog noses and smooth, streamlined lines, F-units like this became icons of the transition from steam to diesel.
Rebuilt for Burlington Northern’s Executive Service
When the Northern Pacific merged with the Great Northern, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and Spokane, Portland & Seattle in 1970 to form the Burlington Northern Railroad, many older locomotives were retired or rebuilt.
In 1990, BN selected the former NP 6700A for a major modernization. It was rebuilt with updated components (essentially turning it into what railfans call an “F38-2” — GP38-2 mechanicals inside an F-unit body). The locomotive received new trucks, traction motors, and a more powerful prime mover, bringing its output to approximately 2,000 horsepower.
Renumbered BN-1, it was painted in a special scheme and assigned to Burlington Northern’s business and executive train service. A matching booster unit, BN-2 (formerly an F9B), was also prepared. These two locomotives represented BN’s pride in its heritage while providing reliable power for company officers and special movements.
Donation to the Illinois Railway Museum
After the 1995–1996 merger that created BNSF Railway, the executive train equipment was reviewed. BN-1 and BN-2 were ultimately donated to the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois, where they have been preserved since the mid-1990s.
Today, BN-1 occasionally operates at the museum, giving visitors a chance to experience the sound and presence of a classic F-unit in action. It stands as a tangible link to both the Northern Pacific and Burlington Northern eras.
Side profile showing the authentic “BN-1” number plate and the elegant two-tone livery with red accents that defined this locomotive’s executive era.
The Artwork: Honoring the Spirit of the F-Unit
The designs on our ceramic mugs are not museum-accurate restorations — they are artistic interpretations that celebrate the soul of these locomotives. The heavy weathering, faded paint, rust, and battle scars tell the story of machines that worked hard for decades across mountains, plains, and prairies.
Every detail — from the distinctive headlight housing and porthole windows to the classic EMD bulldog nose — has been carefully rendered to evoke the golden age of diesel railroading.
Dynamic angled view — perfect for appreciating how the artwork wraps around the mug, creating a miniature rolling diorama in your hands.
Why BN-1 Matters Today
The F9A represents a pivotal moment in railroad history: the final refinement of the streamlined cab unit before railroads moved to hood-style road-switchers. These locomotives helped dieselize America’s railroads and carried the industry through the turbulent 1960s and 1970s.
BN-1’s journey — from Northern Pacific mixed-traffic workhorse, to BN executive flagship, to museum ambassador — mirrors the broader story of American railroading: adaptation, merger, preservation, and renewed appreciation by new generations.
Bring a Piece of Railroad History Home
Whether you’re a dedicated railfan, a model railroader, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who loves beautiful, story-rich objects, the BN-1 Heritage Mug lets you enjoy a daily connection to this iconic locomotive.
Shop the Burlington Northern BN-1 Heritage Mug Collection → https://mugsartstore.com
