Schedule 13G

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13G

(Rule 13d-102)

 

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO RULES 13d-1(b), (c) AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED

PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(b)

(Amendment No.     )*

 

 

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION


(Name of Issuer)

COMMON STOCK


(Title of Class of Securities)

 

12189T 10 4

                                (CUSIP Number)                                

 

April 30, 2007


(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

x Rule 13d-1 (b)

¨ Rule 13d-1 (c)

¨ Rule 13d-1 (d)

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes.)


CUSIP No. 12189T 10 4   13G   Page 2 of 12 Pages

 

  1  

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

   
                Warren E. Buffett    
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*  
  (a)  x  
    (b)  ¨    
  3   SEC USE ONLY  
         
  4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
                United States Citizen    

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

    5    SOLE VOTING POWER
 
                  NONE
    6    SHARED VOTING POWER
 
                  39,027,430 shares of Common Stock
    7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  NONE
    8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  39,027,430 shares of Common Stock
  9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON    
                39,027,430 shares of Common Stock    
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*   ¨
                Not Applicable.    
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9  
                11.0%    
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*  
                IN    


CUSIP No. 12189T 10 4   13G   Page 3 of 12 Pages

 

  1  

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

 

            Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

   
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*  
  (a)  x  
    (b)  ¨    
  3   SEC USE ONLY  
         
  4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
                State of Delaware    

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

    5    SOLE VOTING POWER
 
                  NONE
    6    SHARED VOTING POWER
 
                  39,027,430 shares of Common Stock
    7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  NONE
    8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  39,027,430 shares of Common Stock
  9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON    
                39,027,430 shares of Common Stock    
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*   ¨
                Not applicable.    
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9  
                11.0%    
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*  
                HC, CO    


CUSIP No. 12189T 10 4   13G   Page 4 of 12 Pages

 

  1  

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

 

            OBH, Inc.

   
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*  
  (a)  x  
    (b)  ¨    
  3   SEC USE ONLY  
         
  4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
                State of Delaware    

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

    5    SOLE VOTING POWER
 
                  NONE
    6    SHARED VOTING POWER
 
                  39,027,430 shares of Common Stock
    7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  NONE
    8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  39,027,430 shares of Common Stock
  9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON    
                39,027,430 shares of Common Stock    
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*   ¨
                Not applicable.    
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9  
                11.0%    
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*  
                HC, CO    


CUSIP No. 12189T 10 4   13G   Page 5 of 12 Pages

 

  1  

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

 

            National Indemnity Company

   
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*  
  (a)  x  
    (b)  ¨    
  3   SEC USE ONLY  
         
  4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
                State of Nebraska    

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

    5    SOLE VOTING POWER
 
                  NONE
    6    SHARED VOTING POWER
 
                  14,404,930 shares of Common Stock
    7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  NONE
    8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  14,404,930 shares of Common Stock
  9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON    
                14,404,930 shares of Common Stock    
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*   ¨
                Not applicable.    
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9  
                4.0%    
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*  
                IC, CO    


CUSIP No. 12189T 10 4   13G   Page 6 of 12 Pages

 

  1  

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

 

            National Fire & Marine Insurance Company

   
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*  
  (a)  x  
    (b)  ¨    
  3   SEC USE ONLY  
         
  4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
                State of Nebraska    

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

    5    SOLE VOTING POWER
 
                  NONE
    6    SHARED VOTING POWER
 
                  1,322,100 shares of Common Stock
    7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  NONE
    8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  1,322,100 shares of Common Stock
  9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON    
                1,322,100 shares of Common Stock    
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*   ¨
                Not applicable.    
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9  
                0.4%    
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*  
                IC, CO    


CUSIP No. 12189T 10 4   13G   Page 7 of 12 Pages

 

  1  

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

 

            Columbia Insurance Company

   
  2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*  
  (a)  x  
    (b)  ¨    
  3   SEC USE ONLY  
         
  4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION  
                State of Nebraska    

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

    5    SOLE VOTING POWER
 
                  NONE
    6    SHARED VOTING POWER
 
                  23,300,400 shares of Common Stock
    7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  NONE
    8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
                  23,300,400 shares of Common Stock
  9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON    
                23,300,400 shares of Common Stock    
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*   ¨
                Not applicable.    
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9  
                6.5%    
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*  
                IC, CO    


Page 8 of 12 Pages

SCHEDULE 13G

 

Item 1.  

(a)

   Name of Issuer      
     Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation      
 

(b)

   Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices      
     2650 Lou Menk Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76131      
Item 2  

(a).

   Name of Person Filing:      
Item 2  

(b).

   Address of Principal Business Office:      
Item 2  

(c).

   Citizenship:      
    

Warren E. Buffett

1440 Kiewit Plaza

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

United States Citizen

     
    

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

1440 Kiewit Plaza

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

Delaware corporation

     
    

OBH, Inc.

1440 Kiewit Plaza

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

Delaware corporation

     
    

National Indemnity Company

3024 Harney Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

Nebraska corporation

     
    

National Fire & Marine Insurance Company

3024 Harney Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

Nebraska corporation

     
    

Columbia Insurance Company

3024 Harney Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

Nebraska corporation

     
 

(d)

   Title of Class of Securities      
     Common Stock      
 

(e)

   CUSIP Number      
     12189T 10 4      

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

Warren E. Buffett (an individual who may be deemed to control Berkshire Hathaway Inc.), Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and OBH, Inc., are each a Parent Holding Company or Control Person, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).

National Indemnity Company, National Fire & Marine Insurance Company and Columbia Insurance Company are each an Insurance Company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act.


Page 9 of 12 Pages

Item 4. Ownership

 

  (a) Amount Beneficially Owned:

 

     See the Cover Pages for each of the Reporting Persons.

 

  (b) Percent of Class:

 

     See the Cover Pages for each of the Reporting Persons.

 

  (c) Number of shares as to which such person has:

 

  (i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote

 

  (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote

 

  (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

  (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

     See the Cover Pages for each of the Reporting Persons.

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

Not Applicable.

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

Not Applicable.

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.

See Exhibit A.

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

Not Applicable.

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.

Not Applicable.

Item 10. Certification.

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.


Page 10 of 12 Pages

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated this 9th day of May, 2007

 

/s/ Warren E. Buffett

Warren E. Buffett

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC., and

OBH, INC.

By:  

/s/ Warren E. Buffett

  Warren E. Buffett
  Chairman of the Board of each of the above-named corporations

NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY,

NATIONAL FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE

COMPANY AND COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANY.

By:  

/s/ Warren E. Buffett

 

Warren E. Buffett

Attorney-in-Fact


SCHEDULE 13G

EXHIBIT A

RELEVANT SUBSIDIARIES AND MEMBERS OF FILING GROUP

PARENT HOLDING COMPANIES OR CONTROL PERSONS:

Warren E. Buffett (an individual who may be deemed to control Berkshire Hathaway Inc.)

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

OBH, Inc.

INSURANCE COMPANIES AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(a)(19) OF THE ACT:

National Indemnity Company

National Fire & Marine Insurance Company

Columbia Insurance Company

Note:     No Common Stock of Burlington Northern is held directly by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. or OBH, Inc. Other than the indirect holdings of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., no Common Stock of Burlington Northern is held directly or indirectly by Warren E. Buffett, an individual who may be deemed to control Berkshire Hathaway Inc.


SCHEDULE 13G

EXHIBIT B

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(k)(1)

The undersigned persons hereby agree that reports on Schedule 13G, and amendments thereto, with respect to the Common Stock of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation may be filed in a single statement on behalf of each of such persons, and further, each of such persons designates Warren E. Buffett as its agent and Attorney-in-Fact for the purpose of executing any and all Schedule 13G filings required to be made by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Dated: May 9, 2007   

/s/ Warren E. Buffett

   Warren E. Buffett
   Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Dated: May 9, 2007   

/s/ Warren E. Buffett

   By: Warren E. Buffett
   Title: Chairman of the Board
   OBH, Inc.
Dated: May 9, 2007   

/s/ Warren E. Buffett

   By: Warren E. Buffett
   Title: Chairman of the Board
   National Indemnity Company
Dated: May 9, 2007   

/s/ Marc D. Hamburg

   By: Marc D. Hamburg
   Title: Chairman of the Board
   National Fire & Marine Insurance Company
Dated: May 9, 2007   

/s/ Marc D. Hamburg

   By: Marc D. Hamburg
   Title: Chairman of the Board
   Columbia Insurance Company
Dated: May 9, 2007   

/s/ Marc D. Hamburg

   By: Marc D. Hamburg
   Title: Chairman of the Board