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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-09-045358.txt : 20090928
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-09-045358.hdr.sgml : 20090928
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090928172943
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-09-045358
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090924
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090928
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090928

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TELLES CYNTHIA ANN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001473209

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11535
		FILM NUMBER:		091091004

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O UCLA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
		STREET 2:		300 UCLA MEDICAL SCHOOL PLAZA
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90024

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000934612
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RAILROADS, LINE-HAUL OPERATING [4011]
		IRS NUMBER:				411804964
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2650 LOU MENK DR
		CITY:			FT WORTH
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			76131-2830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8007952673

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2650 LOU MENK DRIVE
		CITY:			FORT WORTH
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			76131-2830

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTE FE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950913

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BNSF CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19941223
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd253801.xml
<DESCRIPTION>TELLES FORM 4 GRANT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-09-24</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000934612</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BNI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001473209</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TELLES CYNTHIA ANN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O UCLA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>300 UCLA MEDICAL SCHOOL PLAZA SUITE 2236</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90024</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-09-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1598</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1598</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant of Restricted Stock Units payable in common stock pursuant to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Cynthia A. Telles, by Judy K. Carter, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-09-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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