Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-63249) of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company of our report dated June 21, 2002 relating to the financial statements of The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company Non-Salaried Employees 401(k) Retirement Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K.