BNSF railfans spring into action for photo contest
By EUNICE ARCHILA
Staff Writer
As the air warms, and bursts of blooming flowers and vegetation begin to color the northern hemisphere, a mixture of weather patterns can be seen across our network. Melting snow gives way to budding trees and rolling storms, and nature comes alive once again.
Our talented community of rail photographers captured stunning images of BNSF trains traveling through these vibrant seasonal landscapes.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2025 Spring Photo Contest. We received a lot of brilliant entries. Each year, the level of talent grows -- and it gets harder and harder to narrow it down to a handful of winners and honorable mentions. Great job, everyone!
A safety reminder: If you’re out railfanning, please take photos from a safe location outside railroad property. Trespassing on the tracks or right-of-way is illegal and dangerous.
FIRST PLACE
Andrew Cox
A BNSF grain train snakes off the Tehachapi Loop on a picture-perfect spring afternoon in south-central California. Tehachapi Pass comes alive each spring with vibrant wildflowers and endless waves of lush green hillsides.
📷: @coastsub
SECOND PLACE
Zak Rey
BNSF 7876 crosses the Cache la Poudre River on its way from Denver, Colorado, to Laurel, Montana. The train makes quick time, narrowly outrunning the thunderstorms that have been frequenting Colorado's Front Range.
📷: Zak Rey
THIRD PLACE
Zak Rey (you're on a roll!)
A severe thunderstorm looms in the distance as a port stack train emerges from Owl Canyon. The train winds through the rolling hills north of Wellington, Colorado, catching dramatic storm lighting during a break in the clouds. Great timing and even better railfanning!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Carter Hayes
Wildflowers bloom as BNSF No. 9728 hauls coal through colorful Colorado's early-season landscape.
📷: @clearto363
Rich Wallace
A BNSF grain train travels east along the scenic Clark Fork River near Eddy, Montana. Eddy Peak Eddy Peak rises in the background beyond the riverbank.
Will Haines
A southbound BNSF intermodal train glides past a field of yellow flowers. Despite a sneezing fit brought on by the bloom, Haines captured a striking scene. Bless you, Will!
Miles Grace
Trees cover the tracks as a BNSF ballast train led by an ET44C4 works up the grade in Washington. The sun shines on the rails, guiding this train through Stevens Pass around the evergreen trees and navigating rock cuts with a friendly crew onboard offering a horn salute.
Peter Kubiak
BNSF 8540 is perfectly framed by a blooming tree full of pink blossoms as it heads south past Atwood Street.
Zak Rey (we see you! 🙌)
A coal train passes a favorite photo spot near a red barn in the town of Palmer Lake, Colorado. BNSF 8470 crests the Palmer Divide and begins its descent toward Colorado Springs.
Want to see more? Search #BNSFSpringPhoto on X, Instagram and Friends of BNSF Facebook group to view this year’s submissions—and past entries, too.
Thank you again to all who submitted their work for our 2025 Spring Photo Contest. We had a fantastic batch of entries from our talented railfans! Our judges had their work cut out for them. Continue capturing the beauty of BNSF trains through the various terrains and season. Don’t forget: Be safe out there.
