John M. Budd planned and led one of the largest railroad mergers (Burlington Northern) in the United States to 1970.

From November 1945, to May 1947, Budd was assistant general manager for Lines East of Williston, North Dakota, on the Great Northern.

While railroad men attempted to rectify the situation, Budd's train was struck by another traveling in the opposite direction.

[4] Again in 1966, his "home on wheels" was attached to the Empire Builder when he and his wife were involved in the Great Northern Buelow wreck.

The companies continued to the Interstate Commerce Commission and the U.S. Supreme Court, which resulted in the creation of the Burlington Northern Railroad in March 1970.

He was a member of the American Association of Railroad Superintendents; Boy Scouts of America; and Hamline University.