I know I've seen this before in a lineage type format. What railroads were combined through the years to eventually make up the BN? I found this on www.fobnr.org, but is not quite what I remember seeing before: "The merger of BN involved the CB&Q, NP, GN, and SP&S and several affiliated roads and businesses. In 1970 the merger incorporated the four major Northern Lines and subsidiary lines of CB&Q: Colorado and Southern (C&S), and its line Fort Worth and Denver (FW&D); GN and NP company Midland Railway Company of Manitoba Canada renamed Burlington Northern Manitoba Limited (BNML); NP line Walla Walla Valley Railway Company (WWV) of Walla Walla Washington. These railroads remained wholly owned subsidiaries and maintained motive power with separate numbering and company initials to identify ownership. In 1981 the BN reorganized to a holding company and fully incorporate most of these lines. The only remaining subsidiary is BNML."
Last I checked: March 2, 1970: GN NP SP&S CB&Q (FW&D and C&S were CB&Q subsidiaries, merged to BN Dec. 31, 1981) and in 1980, SLSF (Frisco)
COLORADO & SOUTHERN RY: Became a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy RR subsidiary on December 19, 1908. Control of subsidiary to Burlington Northern RR at that merger on March 2, 1970. Gone on December 31, 1981 when line Denver-Wendover absorbed into BN RR, and line from Denver to Texline absorbed into the Fort Worth & Denver RY. FORT WORTH & DENVER RY: Renaming of Fort Worth & Denver City RY during 1951. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy RR subsidiary. Burlington Northern subsidiary on March 2, 1970. Absorbed Colorado & Southern RY line Denver-Texline on December 31, 1981. Absorbed by BN RR on December 1, 1982. ST.LOUIS-SAN FRANCISCO RY: Reorganized from St.Louis & San Francisco RR on June 19, 1916. Merged into Burlington Northern RR on November 21, 1980. Also, don't forget to include SP&S RY subsidiaries Oregon Electric RY, and Oregon Trunk RY. Boxcab E50
