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Looking for information about a BNSF lapel pin

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  • Member since
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Looking for information about a BNSF lapel pin
Posted by nwsisu on Monday, November 6, 2023 6:16 PM

Hello,


Many of you not only collect model trains, but also other RR related memorabilia.
Maybe you can help me out, telling me about this lapel pin?


I tried to google information about it, but couldn't find anything.
What purpose, what era, any value (I doubt it), and where I might find more info about it.


Thanks!

RR lapel pin - front

RR lapel pin - rear

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Posted by Steven Otte on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 9:43 AM

The BNSF used the circle-cross herald from 1996 through 2005, so that's your pin's era.

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

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Posted by wjstix on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 12:54 PM

MSC on the back might refer to MSC Industrial Supply Co., and the number might have been their toll-free number back then?

Stix
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Posted by kasskaboose on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 5:07 PM

Would anyone know what the rule S 131.5 means?  I tried looking it up.  Thanks!

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 5:16 PM

kasskaboose

Would anyone know what the rule S 131.5 means?  I tried looking it up.  Thanks!

 

It is a BNSF Mechanical Safety Rule: S-13.1.5 Riding in or on Moving Equipment

https://bnsfcontractor.com/master/documents/BNSF_Mechanical_Safety_Rules_Jan_2015.pdf

Take a look at pages 77 to 79.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 5:59 PM

Over the years I've come across many railroad safety 'trinkets' (tchotchke) for lack of a better word. Shot glasses, picknick coolers, all sorts of clothing, hats etc. ash trays, pin backs, flashlights and, well, you name it.

One of my faves is this PRR driving wheel paper weight:

 PRR_Big-Wheel-near by Edmund, on Flickr

 PRR_Big-Wheel by Edmund, on Flickr

Back in 2003 I was a guest at BNSF's training center in Overland Park, Kansas. There were lots of railroad-labeled handouts passed around. I think I still have a set of golf balls around here somewhere!

Here's a sampling:  https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313&_nkw=bnsf+pin&_sacat=0

 

I like the one that proclaims 'Best Derailment Performance' "Wow, Joe, you really messed up that one... here's a pin!"

Might be fun to see what others have?

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by Attuvian1 on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 6:03 PM

I'm pretty sure that this pin was never commercially available.  Rather, it was ordered by BNSF to award to its employees (certainly along with an appropriate certificate) when they concluded a training course on the referenced sujbect.  As such, they would have little if any value, let alone available information.  The above reference to MSC as a supplier is probably correct.

I suppose that one's cap, jacket, lapel or overalls could be festooned with a slew of these if a font-line employee had been around for a while.  If not worn they were filed in a drawer or trash can and were forgotten. Among some, they were affectionately called "hardware".  Somewerre proud to tote them, others saw them as metallic yada,yada. Whistling

Attuvian John 

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Posted by kasskaboose on Thursday, November 9, 2023 9:21 PM

richhotrain
 
kasskaboose

Would anyone know what the rule S 131.5 means?  I tried looking it up.  Thanks!

 

 

 

It is a BNSF Mechanical Safety Rule: S-13.1.5 Riding in or on Moving Equipment

 

https://bnsfcontractor.com/master/documents/BNSF_Mechanical_Safety_Rules_Jan_2015.pdf

Take a look at pages 77 to 79.

Rich

 

Thanks sir!

Do such similar pins exist for other rail lines? 

 

 

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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, November 10, 2023 4:37 AM

kasskaboose
Do such similar pins exist for other rail lines? 

Yes. Along with years of service pins and special programs that railroads instituted for safety awareness. An eBay search for railroad safety pin will bring up dozens.

I have various safety and years of service award 'giveaways' for many railroads. Even the Bessemer & Lake Erie got into the game.

 Bessemer Safety Pin by Edmund, on Flickr

 

Good Luck, Ed

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Posted by nwsisu on Friday, November 10, 2023 10:58 AM

Thank you all for the responses! I don't plan on selling it, but rather display it somewhere in my train room.

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