BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORP
S-3, 1999-02-08
RAILROADS, LINE-HAUL OPERATING
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<PAGE>
 
 As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 1999
                             Registration No. 333-
================================================================================

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                             _____________________

                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                   BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION
                             _____________________

            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             Delaware                                  41-1804964
  (State of incorporation)             (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

                              2650 Lou Menk Drive
                         Fort Worth, Texas 76131-2830
                                (817) 352-6454
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
             including area code, of principal executive offices)

                              Jeffrey R. Moreland
                              2650 Lou Menk Drive
                         Fort Worth, Texas 76131-2830
                                (817) 352-1350
               (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
              number, including area code, of agent for service)

                             _____________________

                                  Copies to:

               James J. Junewicz             Robert M. Thomas, Jr.
               Mayer, Brown & Platt          Sullivan & Cromwell
               190 South LaSalle Street      125 Broad Street
               Chicago, Illinois 60603       New York, New York 10004
               (312) 782-0600                (212) 558-4000

                             _____________________

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to
time after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box: [ ]

  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]

     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]__________________

     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]____________

     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.[ ]

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===========================================================================================================
                                                       Proposed maximum   Proposed maximum    Amount of
        Title of each class of       Amount            offering price     aggregate           registration
      securities to be registered    to be registered  per unit (1)       offering price (1)  fee
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>               <C>                <C>                 <C> 
     Debt Securities                 $750,000,000           100%           $750,000,000(2)      $208,250
============================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

(1)  Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for
     purposes of determining the registration fee.

(2)  Or, if any Debt Securities are issued (i) with a principal amount
     denominated in a foreign currency (including composite currency), such
     principal amount as will result in an aggregate initial offering price the
     equivalent of $750,000,000 or (ii) at an original issue discount, such
     greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering
     price of $750,000,000.

   The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 8, 1999

PROSPECTUS

                    Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation

                                Debt Securities

                           -------------------------

     Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation ("BNSF" or "we") may from time to
time offer debt securities consisting of bonds, debentures, notes (including
notes commonly known as medium-term notes), or other evidences of debt in one or
more series at an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $750,000,000 or
its equivalent in any other currency or composite currency ("Debt Securities").
We may offer the Debt Securities as separate series in amounts, at prices, and
on terms to be determined at the time of sale. For each offering, a prospectus
supplement will accompany this prospectus and will set forth all the terms of
the series of Debt Securities for which this prospectus is being delivered.

     BNSF may sell Debt Securities to or through one or more underwriters or
dealers, and also may sell Debt Securities directly to other purchasers or
through agents. The accompanying prospectus supplement sets forth information
regarding the underwriters or agents involved in the sale of the Debt Securities
for which this prospectus is being delivered. See "Plan of Distribution" for
possible indemnification arrangements for underwriters, agents, and their
controlling persons.

     This prospectus may not be used for sales of securities unless it is
accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

                           -------------------------

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or
adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.

                           -------------------------


    The date of this Prospectus is ___________________________ _____, 1999.
<PAGE>
 
No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or
to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any
unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell
only the Debt Securities described in this prospectus and accompanying
prospectus summary, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it
is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only
as of its date.

                      WHERE YOU MAY FIND MORE INFORMATION

     BNSF files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Our
SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's web site
at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the
SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the
public reference room, including copying fees.

     BNSF has filed with the SEC a registration statement (together with all
amendments and exhibits, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act
of 1933. This prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement, does
not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement; certain
items are contained in exhibits to the Registration Statement, as permitted by
the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements that we make in this prospectus
about the content of any contract, agreement or other document are not
necessarily complete. With respect to each contract, agreement or other document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, we refer you to the exhibit
for a more complete description of the matter involved, and each such statement
that we make is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

     The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you simply
by referring you to documents which we have filed with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and the
information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference all documents filed by
us after the date of the initial Registration Statement but prior to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any future filings made with the
SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 until completion of the sale to the public of the Debt Securities and the
following documents:

     (1) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, as
amended;

     (2) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998;

     (3) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998;

     (4) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998;

     (5) Current Report on Form 8-K (Date of earliest event reported: February
6, 1998);

     (6) Current Report on Form 8-K (Date of earliest event reported: July 16,
1998);

     (7) Current Report on Form 8-K (Date of earliest event reported: October
20, 1998); and

     (8) Current Report on Form 8-K (Date of earliest event reported December 4,
     1998).

     If you would like a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference
into this prospectus, please make your request in writing or by telephone to:

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
     2650 Lou Menk Drive
     Fort Worth, Texas 76131-2830
     Attention: Corporate Secretary
     Telephone: (817) 352-6454.

We will provide you with the copies you request free of charge (other than the
exhibits to the requested documents unless they are specifically incorporated by
reference into the documents).

     Currency amounts in this prospectus are stated in United States dollars,
unless we indicate otherwise.

                                  THE COMPANY

     BNSF is engaged primarily in railroad transportation through its principal
operating subsidiary, The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company
("BNSF Railway"). BNSF Railway operates one of the largest railroad networks in
the United States, with approximately 34,000 route miles as of December 31,
1997. Approximately 7,800 route miles of BNSF Railway's system consist of
trackage rights which permit BNSF Railway to operate its trains with its crews
over another railroad's tracks. BNSF Railway's system covers 28 states in the
western two-thirds of the United States and two Canadian provinces. In
particular, BNSF Railway serves all major ports in the western United States,
certain Gulf ports and Mexican and Canadian gateways and important gateways to
the eastern United States.

     BNSF Railway derives a substantial portion of its revenues from intermodal
transportation (which means the transportation of freight containers and truck
trailers on flatcars) and the transportation of coal and agricultural
commodities. Other significant aspects of BNSF Railway's business include the
transportation of chemicals, forest products, consumer goods, metals, minerals
and automobiles and automobile parts.

     Our principal executive offices are located at 2650 Lou Menk Drive, Fort
Worth, Texas 76131-2830, telephone number (817) 352-6454.

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of
BNSF for the periods indicated. The ratios reflect the historical results only
for Burlington Northern Inc. in all periods before 1996, except for the year
ended December 31, 1995, which period includes Santa Fe Pacific Corporation
results from September 22, 1995 through December 31, 1995.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Nine Months Ended
                                  September 30,                  Year Ended December 31,
                                -----------------      ------------------------------------------
                                1998(2)      1997      1997(3)    1996    1995(3)    1994    1993
                                -------      ----      -------    ----    -------    ----    ----
<S>                             <C>          <C>       <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>
Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)     4.24x       3.56x      3.52x     3.89x    1.85x     3.70x   3.19x
</TABLE> 
- --------------------
(1)  For purposes of this ratio, we calculate earnings by adding fixed charges
     (excluding capitalized interest) to pre-tax income or loss from continuing
     operations. Fixed charges consist of interest on indebtedness

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     (including amortization of debt discount and premium) and the portion of
     rental expense under long term operating leases representative of an
     interest factor.

(2)  Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 include a pre-tax
     gain of $67 million on the sale of substantially all of BNSF's interest in
     Santa Fe Pacific Pipeline Partners, L.P. Excluding this gain, the ratio for
     the nine months ended September 30, 1998 would have been 4.08x.
 
(3)  Earnings for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1995 include special
     charges of $90 million and $735 million (before tax), respectively.
     Excluding these charges, the ratios for 1997 and 1995 would have been 3.68x
     and 3.91x, respectively.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we
will use the net proceeds from the sale of the Debt Securities for general
corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, and debt
repayment, and to repurchase our common stock from time to time.

                        DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     BNSF will issue the Debt Securities under an Indenture (the "Indenture"),
between BNSF and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (the "Trustee").
A copy of the Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which this prospectus is a part. BNSF may issue the Debt Securities from time to
time in one or more series. The particular terms of each series will be
described in a prospectus supplement and may be different than those described
here.

     The summaries of certain provisions of the Indenture described here are not
complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all the provisions
of the Indenture. If we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the
Indenture, such sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference into
this prospectus or the prospectus supplement.

     BNSF is a holding company, conducting its operations through its operating
subsidiaries. Accordingly, BNSF's ability to pay principal and interest on the
Debt Securities depends, in part, on its ability to obtain dividends or loans
from its operating subsidiaries which may be subject to contractual
restrictions. In addition, the rights of BNSF and the rights of its creditors,
including holders of the Debt Securities, to participate in any distribution of
the assets of a subsidiary upon the liquidation or recapitalization of such
subsidiary will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors,
except to the extent BNSF itself may be a creditor with recognized claims
against the subsidiary.

     The covenants in the Indenture will not necessarily afford the holders of
the Debt Securities protection in the event of a decline in BNSF's credit
quality resulting from highly leveraged or other transactions involving BNSF.

General

     BNSF may issue separate series of Debt Securities under the Indenture from
time to time without limitation on the aggregate principal amount. BNSF may
specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the Debt Securities of any
series. (Section 301) Except as provided in Section 1008, the Debt Securities
will be unsecured obligations of BNSF and will rank on a parity with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of BNSF.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of
the Debt Securities:

          (1) the price of the Debt Securities;

          (2) the title of the Debt Securities;

          (3) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the particular
     series of Debt Securities;

          (4) the principal payment date or dates;

          (5) the interest rate at which the Debt Securities will bear interest,
     the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the Interest Payment
     Dates and the associated Regular Record Date for payment of interest.

          (6) the place where we will pay the principal and interest on the Debt
     Securities;

          (7) whether and how Debt Securities may be redeemed;

          (8) whether BNSF is obligated to redeem or purchase such Debt
     Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or similar arrangement and if so,
     the terms of such arrangement;

          (9) the denominations of the Debt Securities, if other than
     denominations of $1,000;

          (10) whether the amount of principal or interest on the Debt
     Securities may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a
     formula and how such amounts will be determined;

          (11) any foreign currency in which we may pay the principal or
     interest on the Debt Securities and the manner in which the principal
     amount thereof would be translated into the currency of the United States
     of America for any purpose, including for the purpose of determining the
     principal amount deemed to be Outstanding at any time;

          (12) any alternate currency in which the principal or interest on the
     Debt Securities is to be payable and the periods and the terms for payment;

          (13) how much of the principal amount of the Debt Securities will be
     payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt
     Securities if more or less than the entire amount;

          (14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of the
     Debt Securities will not be known any time prior to the Stated Maturity,
     the amount deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any
     purpose (or, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be
     determined), including the principal amount which will be due and payable
     upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to
     be Outstanding as of any such date;

          (15) the applicability of the provisions of the Indenture described
     under "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance--Defeasance and Discharge" or
     "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance--Defeasance of Certain Covenants";

          (16) whether any Debt Securities will be issued in the form of one or
     more Global Securities and, if so, the Depositaries for the Global
     Securities, the form of any legend to be placed on any such Global
     Securities in addition to or instead of the legend referred to under
     "Global Securities" and, if different from those described under "Global
     Securities", any circumstances under which the Global

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     Securities may be exchanged for registered Debt Securities, and how any
     transfer of the Global Securities may be registered, in the names of
     Persons other than the Depositary for the Global Securities or its nominee;

          (17) whether the Debt Securities will be subject to optional interest
     rate reset provisions;

          (18) whether the Debt Securities will be subject to optional
     extensions of maturity provisions;

          (19) any addition to or change in the Events of Default applicable to
     the Debt Securities and any change in the right of the Trustee or the
     Holders to declare the principal amount of such Debt Securities due and
     payable;

          (20) any addition to or change in the covenants in the Indenture
     applicable to the Debt Securities; and

          (21) any other terms of the Debt Securities. (Section 301)

     Debt Securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their principal
amount. Certain special United States income tax considerations (if any)
applicable to Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount may be
described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, certain special
United States federal income tax or other considerations (if any) applicable to
any Debt Securities which are denominated in a foreign currency may be described
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

     We will issue the Debt Securities of each series only in fully registered
form, without coupons, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000. (Section 302)

     Holders may, at their option, but subject to the terms of the Indenture and
the limitations that apply to Global Securities, exchange their Debt Securities
for other Debt Securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and
of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount. (Section 305)

     Subject to the terms of the Indenture and the limitations that apply to
Global Securities, Holders may exchange Debt Securities as provided above or
present for registration of transfer at the office of the Security Registrar or
at the office of any transfer agent designated by BNSF. No service charge
applies for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but the
Holder may have to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with
registration of transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made
after the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, is
satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the
request. BNSF has appointed the Trustee as Security Registrar. Any transfer
agent (in addition to the Security Registrar) initially designated by BNSF for
any Debt Securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
(Section 305) BNSF may at any time designate additional transfer agents or
cancel the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office
through which any transfer agent acts, except that BNSF will be required to
maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of
each series. (Section 1002)

     If the Debt Securities are to be redeemed in part, BNSF will not be
required to (1) issue or register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security
during a period beginning 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of
redemption and ending on the day of such mailing, or (2) register the transfer
of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in
part, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being redeemed in
part. (Section 305)

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Global Securities

     Any of the Debt Securities may be represented by one or more Global
Securities which will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the
Debt Securities they represent. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus
supplement, the Global Security representing Debt Securities will be deposited
with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), or other successor
depository appointed by BNSF (DTC or such other depository is referred to in
this prospectus as the "Depositary") and registered in the name of the
Depositary or its nominee. The Global Security will bear a legend regarding the
restrictions on exchange and registration of transfer referred to below and any
other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the Indenture. Debt Securities
will not be issued in definitive form unless the prospectus supplement states
otherwise.

     No Global Security may be exchanged for registered Debt Securities, and no
transfer of a Global Security may be registered in the name of any Person other
than the Depositary for such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary
unless (1) the Depositary has notified BNSF that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as Depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as Depository as
required by the Indenture, (2) an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing with respect to the Debt Securities represented by the Global
Security, or (3) there exists any other circumstances described in the
applicable prospectus supplement. All Debt Securities issued in exchange for a
Global Security or any portion of a Global Security will be registered in such
names as the Depositary may direct. (Sections 204 and 305)

     The Depository has advised BNSF as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust
company organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York, a member of
the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the
New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to
the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds
securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC also
facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities transactions, such
as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts. This eliminates the
need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their
representatives) own the Depository. Access to DTC's book-entry system is also
available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that
clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant,
either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to
DTC and its Participants are on file with the SEC.

     Upon the issuance by BNSF of Debt Securities represented by a Global
Security, purchases of Debt Securities under the DTC System must be made by or
through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Debt Securities
on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Debt
Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and
Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written
confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners are expected to
receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as
periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant
through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of
ownership interests in the Debt Securities are to be accomplished by entries
made on the books of Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners.
Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership
interests in Debt Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry
system for the Debt Securities is discontinued. The laws of some states require
that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities
in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a Global Security.

     So long as the Depositary for the Global Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of the Global Security, the Depositary or its nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except
as described

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
above, Beneficial Owners (1) will not be entitled to have Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security registered in their names, (2) will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debt Securities in
definitive form, and (3) will not be considered the owners or holders of such
Global Security or any Debt Securities represented by the Global Security for
any purpose under the Indenture.

     To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Debt Securities deposited by
Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee,
Cede & Co. The deposit of Debt Securities with DTC and their registration in the
name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no
knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Debt Securities; DTC's records
reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such Debt
Securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The
Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on
behalf of their customers. Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC
to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by
Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be
governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

     Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect to Debt
Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to the Issuer
as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede &
Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts
the Debt Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing
attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

     Payments of principal of and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities
represented by the Global Security registered in the name of the Depositary or
its nominee will be made by BNSF through the Trustee under the Indenture or a
paying agent (the "Paying Agent"), which may also be the Trustee under the
Indenture, to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner of the Global Security. Neither BNSF, the Trustee, nor the
Paying Agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of the Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing
any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

     BNSF has been advised that DTC will credit Direct Participants' accounts on
the payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's
records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on the
payable date. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as in the case with securities
held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street
name," and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, the
Paying Agent, or BNSF, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to DTC is
the responsibility of BNSF or the Paying Agent, disbursement of such payments to
Direct Participants shall be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such
payments to the Beneficial Owners shall be the responsibility of Direct and
Indirect Participants.

     The information in this section concerning the Depositary and the
Depositary's book-entry system has been obtained from sources that BNSF believes
to be reliable, but BNSF takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

Payment and Paying Agents

     BNSF will pay interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date to
the Person in whose name the Debt Security is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. (Section 307)

     BNSF will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt
Securities at the office of the Paying Agent or Paying Agents as BNSF may
designate for such purpose from time to time. BNSF may pay

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
interest by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled to such payment
as such address appears in the Security Register. BNSF has designated the
corporate trust office of the Trustee in Chicago, Illinois as BNSF's sole Paying
Agent for payments with respect to Debt Securities. Any other Paying Agents
initially designated by BNSF for the Debt Securities will be named in the
applicable prospectus supplement. BNSF may at any time designate additional
Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change
in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that BNSF must
maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of a
particular series. (Section 1002)

     Any money paid by BNSF to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal
of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remains unclaimed at
the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due
and payable may be repaid to BNSF at BNSF's request. (Section 1003)

Negative Pledge

     In the Indenture, BNSF covenants that it will not, and it will not permit
any subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon the
stock of BNSF Railway (or any successor or assign of BNSF Railway, whether by
merger or otherwise) to secure any obligation of BNSF, any Subsidiary or other
Person, unless all of the Outstanding Debt Securities are directly secured
equally and ratably with such obligation. (Section 1008)

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

     BNSF may not consolidate or merge with any Person, or convey, transfer or
lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and
may not permit any Person to convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to BNSF, unless (1) the successor Person (if any)
is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly
existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes BNSF's
obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indenture and (2) immediately
after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall
have occurred and be continuing. (Section 801)

Events of Default

     Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the
Indenture with respect to Debt Securities:

     (1) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that
     series when due;

     (2) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities of that series when
     due, continued for 30 days;

     (3) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of
     any Debt Security of that series;

     (4) failure to perform, or breach of, any other covenant or warranty of
     BNSF in the Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of that series (other
     than a covenant included in the Indenture solely for the benefit of a
     particular series other than that series), continued for 90 days after
     written notice has been given to BNSF by the Trustee or the Holders of at
     least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that
     series, as provided in the Indenture; and

     (5) certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
     (Section 501)

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause
(4) above that applies to all Outstanding Debt Securities) with respect to the
Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall occur and be
continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series by notice as
provided in the Indenture may declare the principal amount of the Debt
Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of
Default described in the preceding sentence applies to any Debt Security that is
an Original Issue Discount Security or the principal amount of which is not then
determinable, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security, or
such other amount in lieu of such principal amount, as may be specified in the
terms of such Debt Security, may be declared to be due and payable immediately
as provided in the preceding sentence. If an Event of Default described in
clause (4) above that applies to all Outstanding Debt Securities shall occur and
be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of all the Debt Securities then Outstanding (treated as one
class) by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal amount
of all the Debt Securities then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately.
If an Event of Default described in the preceding sentence applies to any Debt
Security that is an Original Issue Discount Security, such portion of the
principal amount of such Debt Security as may be specified in the terms of such
Debt Security may be declared to be due and payable immediately as provided in
the preceding sentence. After any such acceleration of a series, but before a
judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under
certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of
Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal (or other specified
amount), have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. (Section 502)
For information as to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver".

     In case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, generally the Trustee
will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights under the Indenture at
the request of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the
Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603) Subject to such provisions for the
indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series. (Section 512)

     No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a
receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy under the Indenture, unless (1)
the Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing
Event of Default, (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Debt Securities of the relevant series have made written
request, and the Holder or Holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the
Trustee to institute such proceeding, and (3) the Trustee has failed to
institute such proceeding, and has not received from the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of the relevant
series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such
notice, request and offer. (Section 507) However, the limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of
payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on such Debt Security on
or after the applicable due date specified in such Debt Security. (Section 508)

     BNSF will furnish annually a statement to the Trustee by certain of its
officers as to whether or not BNSF, to their knowledge, is in default in the
performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the
Indenture and, if so, specifying all known defaults. (Section 1004)

Modification and Waiver

     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by BNSF and the
Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
series affected by such modification or amendment. No such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt
Security affected thereby:

     (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of
     principal of or interest on, any Debt Security,

     (2) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt
     Security,

     (3) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security
     or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of Maturity,

     (4) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium
     or interest on, any Debt Security,

     (5) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment
     on or with respect to any Debt Security,

     (6) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt
     Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for
     modification or amendment of the Indenture,

     (7) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt
     Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain
     provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults, or

     (8) make certain modifications to such provisions with respect to
     modification and waiver. (Section 902)

     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of any series may waive any past default or compliance with
certain restrictive provisions under the Indenture, except a default in the
payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions
of the Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. (Sections 513 and 1009)

     In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities have given or taken any direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action under the Indenture as of any date, (1) the principal
amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that will be deemed to be
Outstanding will be the amount of its principal that would be due and payable as
of such date upon acceleration of Maturity to such date, (2) if, as of such
date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Debt Security is
not determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the principal
amount of such Debt Security deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an
amount determined in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security, and (3) the
principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign
currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the
U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for
such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the
case of a Debt Security described in clause (1) or (2) above, of the amount
described in such clause). Certain Debt Securities, including those for which
payment or redemption money has been deposited or set aside in trust for the
Holders and those that have been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1402, will
not be deemed to be Outstanding. (Section 101)

     BNSF will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the
purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action
under the Indenture, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in
the Indenture. In certain limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to
set a record date for action by Holders. If a record date is

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
set for any action to be taken by Holders of a particular series, such action
may be taken only by persons who are Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of
that series on the record date. To be effective, such action must be taken by
Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Debt Securities within a
specified period following the record date. For any particular record date, this
period will be 180 days or such shorter period as may be specified by BNSF (or
the Trustee, if it sets the record date) and may be shortened or lengthened (but
not beyond 180 days) from time to time. (Section 104)

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
provisions of Section 1402, relating to defeasance and discharge of
indebtedness, or Section 1403, relating to defeasance of certain restrictive
covenants in the Indenture, will apply to the Debt Securities of any series or
to any specified part of a series. (Section 1401)

     Defeasance and Discharge. Section 1402 of the Indenture provides that BNSF
will be discharged from all its obligations with respect to such Debt Securities
(except for certain obligations to exchange or register the transfer of Debt
Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain
paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust) upon the deposit in
trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities of money or U.S.
Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and
interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money
in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on
such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such defeasance or discharge
may occur only if, among other things, BNSF has delivered to the Trustee an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that BNSF has received from, or there has been
published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has
been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that Holders of such Debt
Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal
income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(Sections 1402 and 1404)

     Defeasance of Certain Covenants. Section 1403 of the Indenture provides
that, in certain circumstances, BNSF may omit to comply with certain restrictive
covenants, including those described under "Certain Covenants" and any that may
be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and that in those
circumstances the occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described
above in clause (4) (with respect to such restrictive covenants) under "Events
of Default" and any that may be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement, will be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each
case with respect to such Debt Securities. BNSF, to exercise such option, will
be required to deposit, in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt
Securities, money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the
payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their
terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and
any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated
Maturities in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt
Securities. BNSF will also be required, among other things, to deliver to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities
will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of
such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In
the event BNSF exercises this option with respect to any Debt Securities and
such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of
any Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so
deposited in trust will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities
at the time of their respective Stated Maturities but might not be sufficient to
pay amounts due on such Debt Securities upon any acceleration resulting from
such Event of Default. In such case, BNSF will remain liable for such payments.
(Sections 1403 and 1404)

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Notices

     Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the
addresses of such Holders as they appear in the Security Register. (Sections 101
and 106)

Title

     BNSF, the Trustee and any of their agents may treat the Person in whose
name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security
for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 309)

Governing Law

     The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. (Section 112)

Regarding the Trustee

     The First National Bank of Chicago has lending and other customary banking
relationships with BNSF.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     BNSF may sell the Debt Securities (1) through an underwriter or
underwriters, (2) through dealers, (3) through agents, (4) directly to
purchasers, including affiliates of BNSF, or (5) through a combination of any of
these methods of sale. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the
terms of the offerings of any Debt Securities. The initial public offering price
and any discount or concessions allowed or reallowed to dealers may be changed
from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the
expected time of delivery of the Debt Securities for which this prospectus is
delivered.

     If underwriters are used in the sale of the Debt Securities, the
underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are
subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all such Debt Securities if any are purchased. In
connection with the sale of Debt Securities, underwriters may receive
compensation from BNSF or from purchasers of Debt Securities for whom they may
act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters
may sell Debt Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as
agent.

     Underwriters, agents or dealers participating in the distribution of Debt
Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions
received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the Debt
Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the
Securities Act of 1933.

     The Debt Securities may be sold in one or more transactions either at a
fixed price or prices which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the
time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. BNSF may also offer and sell the Debt Securities in exchange
for one or more of its outstanding issues of debt or convertible debt securities
or in the satisfaction of indebtedness.

     BNSF may indemnify the Underwriters, agents or dealers who participate in
the distribution of Debt Securities against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. BNSF may also contribute to
payments that such underwriters, dealers or agents or any of their controlling
persons may be

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
required to make in respect of such liabilities. Underwriters, agents or dealers
may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for BNSF or
subsidiaries of BNSF in the ordinary course of business.

     If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, BNSF will authorize
underwriters, dealers and agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to
purchase Debt Securities from BNSF pursuant to delayed delivery contracts
providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus
supplement. These contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth
in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also set forth the
commission payable for solicitation of any of these contracts.

     Offers to purchase Debt Securities may be solicited directly by BNSF and
sales of Debt Securities may be made by BNSF directly to institutional investors
or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any resale of such Debt Securities. The
terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement relating
to such Debt Securities. Except as set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement, no director, officer or employee of BNSF will solicit or receive a
commission in connection with direct sales by BNSF of the Debt Securities,
although such persons may respond to inquiries by potential purchasers and
perform ministerial and clerical work in connection with any such direct sales.

                             VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

     The validity of the Debt Securities offered by this prospectus will be
passed upon for BNSF by the law firm of Mayer, Brown & Platt, Chicago, Illinois,
and for the underwriters, dealers, or agents, if any, by the law firm of
Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York.

                                    EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 incorporated
in this prospectus by reference to BNSF's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997 have been incorporated in reliance on the reports
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as experts in auditing and accounting.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

     The registrant estimates that expenses in connection with the offering
described in this Registration Statement will be as follows:

     SEC Registration Fee................................... $208,250
     Legal Fees and Expenses................................   40,000
     Accounting Fees and Expenses...........................   50,000
     Rating Agency Fees.....................................  150,000
     Trustee's Fees and Expenses............................   10,000
     Printing and Engraving Expenses........................   15,000
     Blue Sky Fees and Expenses.............................   10,000
     Miscellaneous..........................................    7,500

              Total......................................... $490,750

Item 15.  Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

     The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. The
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Statute")
provides for indemnification of directors, officers, and employees in certain
situations. The Delaware Statute, by its terms, expressly permits
indemnification where such a person acted in good faith and in a manner such
person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the corporation's best
interests, and, in a criminal action, if such person had no reasonable cause to
believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. In the case of a claim by a third
party (i.e., a party other than the corporation), the Delaware Statute expressly
permits indemnification for expenses, judgments, settlement payments, and other
costs. In the case of a claim by or in the right of the corporation (including
stockholder derivative suits), the Delaware Statute expressly provides for
indemnification for expenses only, and not for amounts paid in judgment or
settlement of such actions. Moreover, a corporation cannot, under the Delaware
Statute, provide for indemnification against expenses in the case of an action
by or in the right of the corporation if the person seeking indemnification is
adjudged liable to the corporation, unless the indemnification is ordered by a
court. The Delaware Statute also permits advancement of expenses to directors
and officers upon receipt of an undertaking by such director or officer to repay
all amounts advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not
entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. In addition, the Delaware Statute
specifically provides that its terms shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
right to indemnification to which a director, officer, or employee may be
entitled under any by-law, agreement, or vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors.

     The By-Laws of the Company provide that the Company shall indemnify and
hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by law, any person made, or
threatened to be made, a party to an action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she
is or was a director or officer of the Company, or served or serves as a
director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation or of a
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with
respect to an employee benefit plan, at the request of the Company.

     The Company has entered into agreements with each of its directors and
officers, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to indemnify such directors
and officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
<PAGE>
 
     The Company also maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance
which purports to insure the Company against certain costs of indemnification
which may be incurred by the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, and
to insure directors and officers of the Company against certain liabilities
incurred by them in the discharge of their function as such officers and
directors, except for liabilities resulting from their own malfeasance.

Item 16.  Exhibits.

     A list of exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement is set
forth in the Index to Exhibits which immediately precedes such exhibits and is
incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17.  Undertakings.

     (1)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

               (a)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales of Debt
                    Securities are being made, a post-effective amendment to
                    this Registration Statement:

                    (i)    To include any prospectus required by section
                           10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                    (ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                           arising after the effective date of this Registration
                           Statement (or the most recent post-effective
                           amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
                           aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
                           information set forth in this Registration Statement.
                           Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
                           decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the
                           total dollar value of securities offered would not
                           exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
                           from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
                           offering range may be reflected in the form of
                           prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
                           424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in the
                           volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent
                           change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
                           forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table
                           in the effective Registration Statement;

                    (iii)  To include any material information with respect to
                           the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
                           this Registration Statement or any material change to
                           such information in the Registration Statement;

                    Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not
                    apply if this Registration Statement is on Form S-3, Form S-
                    8, or Form F-3, and the information required to be included
                    in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
                    contained in periodic reports filed or furnished to the
                    Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
                    Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
                    are incorporated by reference in this Registration
                    Statement.

     (b)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
            Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
            deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
<PAGE>
 
            the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
            at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
            thereof.

         (c)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
               amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
               unsold at the termination of the offering.

   (2)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

   (3)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Fort Worth, State of Texas, on January 21, 1999.



                            BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION


                               By: /s/ Jeffrey R. Moreland
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                   Jeffrey R. Moreland
                                   Senior Vice President-Law and Chief of Staff
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes any Authorized
Officer acting alone to execute in the name of such person and in the capacity
indicated below, and to file, any amendments to this Registration Statement
which any Authorized Officer deems necessary or advisable to enable the
Registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules,
regulations, and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
respect thereof, and to take any other action on behalf of such person which any
Authorized Officer deems necessary or desirable in connection herewith. The term
"Authorized Officer" as applied with respect to any action taken pursuant to
this authorization means (1) any person who is the Registrant's President and
Chief Executive Officer or Senior Vice President-Law and Chief of Staff at the
time such action shall be taken and (2) any other officer of the Registrant or
of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant who shall be authorized by any
person identified in clause (1) to act as an Authorized Officer for purposes of
this paragraph.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated and on the 21st day of January, 1999.



/s/ Robert D. Krebs
- -----------------------------------------------------
Robert D. Krebs, Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
and Director



/s/ Denis E. Springer
- -----------------------------------------------------
Denis E. Springer, Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)



/s/ Thomas N. Hund
- -----------------------------------------------------
Thomas N. Hund, Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)



/s/ Joseph F. Alibrandi
- -----------------------------------------------------
Joseph F. Alibrandi, Director



/s/ Jack S. Blanton
- -----------------------------------------------------
Jack S. Blanton, Director



/s/ John J. Burns, Jr.
- -----------------------------------------------------
John J. Burns, Jr., Director
<PAGE>
 
/s/ George Deukmejian
- -----------------------------------------------------
George Deukmejian, Director



/s/ Bill M. Lindig
- -----------------------------------------------------
Bill M. Lindig, Director



/s/ Vilma S. Martinez
- -----------------------------------------------------
Vilma S. Martinez, Director



/s/ Roy S. Roberts
- -----------------------------------------------------
Roy S. Roberts, Director



/s/ Marc J. Shapiro
- -----------------------------------------------------
Marc J. Shapiro, Director



/s/ Arnold R. Weber
- -----------------------------------------------------
Arnold R. Weber, Director



/s/ Robert H. West
- -----------------------------------------------------
Robert H. West, Director



/s/ J. Steven Whisler
- -----------------------------------------------------
J. Steven Whisler, Director



/s/ Edward E. Whitacre, Jr.
- -----------------------------------------------------
Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., Director



/s/ Ronald B. Woodard
- -----------------------------------------------------
Ronald B. Woodard, Director
<PAGE>
 
/s/ Michael B. Yanney
- -----------------------------------------------------
Michael B. Yanney, Director
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number            Description of Document
- ------            -----------------------

1           Underwriting Agreement, dated as of December 6, 1995 between the
            Company and Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.,
            Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
            (formerly known as Salomon Brothers Inc)(filed herewith).

4           Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1995, between the Company and The
            First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (filed herewith).

5           Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt (filed herewith).

12          Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
            (filed herewith).

23.1        Consent of Mayer, Brown & Platt (included in Exhibit 5).

23.2        Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (filed herewith).

24          Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
            Registration Statement).

25          Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Qualification under the Trust
            Indenture Act of 1939 of The First National Bank of Chicago (filed
            herewith).

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 1

                   BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION

                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                ---------------


                            UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                            ----------------------


                                                                December 6, 1995

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Salomon Brothers Inc
As representatives of the several
  underwriters listed in Schedule I
  to the applicable Pricing Agreement

Dear Sirs:

     From time to time Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), proposes to enter into one or more Pricing
Agreements in the form of Annex I hereto, with such additions and deletions as
the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to the terms and conditions
stated herein and therein, to issue and sell to the firms named in Schedule I to
the applicable Pricing Agreement (such firms constituting the "Underwriters"
with respect to such Pricing Agreement and the securities specified therein)
certain of its debt securities (the "Securities") specified in Schedule II to
such Pricing Agreement (with respect to such Pricing Agreement, the "Designated
Securities").

     The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Securities
shall be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto and in or
pursuant to the indenture (the "Indenture") identified in such Pricing
Agreement.

     1.   Particular sales of Designated Securities may be made from time to
time to the Underwriters of such Securities, for whom the firms designated as
representatives of the Underwriters of such Securities in the Pricing Agreement
relating thereto will act as representatives (the "Representatives").  The term
"Representatives" also refers to a single firm acting as sole representative of
the Underwriters and to Underwriters who act without any firm being designated
as their representative.  This Underwriting Agreement shall not be construed as
an obligation of the Company to sell any of the Securities or as an obligation
of any of the Underwriters to purchase the Securities.  The obligation of the
Company to issue and sell any of the Securities and the obligation 
<PAGE>
 
of any of the Underwriters to purchase any of the Securities shall be evidenced
by the Pricing Agreement with respect to the Designated Securities specified
therein. Each Pricing Agreement shall specify the aggregate principal amount of
such Designated Securities, the initial public offering price of such Designated
Securities, the purchase price to the Underwriters of such Designated
Securities, the names of the Underwriters of such Designated Securities, the
names of the Representatives of such Underwriters and the principal amount of
such Designated Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter and shall set
forth the date, time and manner of delivery of such Designated Securities and
payment therefor. The Pricing Agreement shall also specify (to the extent not
set forth in the Indenture and the registration statement and prospectus with
respect thereto) the terms of such Designated Securities. A Pricing Agreement
shall be in the form of an executed writing (which may be in counterparts), and
may be evidenced by an exchange of telegraphic communications or any other rapid
transmission device designed to produce a written record of communications
transmitted. The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement and each
Pricing Agreement shall be several and not joint.

     2.   The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the
Underwriters that:

          (a)  A registration statement in respect of the Securities has been
     filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"); such
     registration statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in
     the form heretofore delivered or to be delivered to the Representatives
     and, excluding exhibits to such registration statement, but including all
     documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus contained therein, to
     the Representatives for each of the other Underwriters, have been declared
     effective by the Commission in such form; no other document with respect to
     such registration statement or document incorporated by reference therein
     has heretofore been filed or transmitted for filing with the Commission;
     and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration
     statement has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been
     initiated or threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus
     included in such registration statement or filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission
     under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), or any
     preliminary prospectus supplement used in connection with a particular
     offering of Securities, being hereinafter called a "Preliminary
     Prospectus"; the various parts of such registration statement, including
     all exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated by reference in the
     prospectus contained in the registration statement at the time such part of
     the registration statement became effective but excluding Form T-1, each as
     amended at the time such part of the registration statement becomes
     effective, being hereinafter called the "Registration Statement"; the
     prospectus relating to the Securities (but excluding any supplement thereto
     relating to Designated Securities), in the form in which it has most
     recently been filed, or transmitted for filing, with the Commission on or
     before the date of this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement (if this
     Agreement and the Pricing Agreement are not signed at the same time), being
     hereinafter called the "Prospectus"; any reference herein to any
     Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and
     include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to the
     applicable form under the Act, to the extent 
<PAGE>
 
     filed on or before the date of such reference; any reference to any
     amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus
     shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after the date
     of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, under the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
     incorporated by reference in such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as
     the case may be; any reference to any to the Registration Statement shall
     be deemed to refer to and include any annual report of the Company filed
     pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the effective
     date of the Registration Statement that is incorporated by reference in the
     Registration Statement; and any reference to the Prospectus as amended or
     supplemented shall be deemed to refer to the Prospectus as amended or
     supplemented in relation to the applicable Designated Securities in the
     form in which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under
     the Act in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof, including any documents
     incorporated by reference therein as of the date of such filing);

          (b)  No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
     Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary
     Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material
     respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of
     the Commission thereunder, and did not contain an untrue statement of a
     material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided,
     however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
     statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with
     information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter of
     Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly for use
     therein;

          (c)  The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
     they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may
     be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or
     the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the
     Commission thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
     to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by
     reference in the Prospectus or any further amendment or supplement thereto,
     when such documents become effective or are filed with the Commission, as
     the case may be, will conform in all material respects to the requirements
     of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and
     regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall
     not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in
     conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an
     Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly
     for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
     Securities;
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  The Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform, and any
     further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
     Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of
     the Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust
     Indenture Act") and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder
     and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to the
     Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and as of the applicable
     filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto,
     contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
     fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
     therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and
     warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance
     upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company
     by an Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives
     expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to
     such Securities;

          (e)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained
     since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
     incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material loss or
     interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other
     calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or
     court or governmental action, order or decree, which is material to the
     Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth
     or contemplated in the Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of
     which information is given in the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than
     increases in the stock of the Company as the result of the issuance of
     shares pursuant to any of the Company's stock option plans) or any material
     change in long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries or any
     material adverse change, or any development that the Company has a
     reasonable cause to believe involves a prospective material adverse change,
     in the business, financial position, shareholders' equity or results of
     operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise
     than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;

          (f)  The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
     a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
     with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and
     conduct its business as described in the Prospectus, and has been duly
     qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is
     in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business
     or the ownership or leasing of its property requires such qualification,
     except where failure to qualify would not in the aggregate have a material
     adverse effect upon the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and
     each of Burlington Northern Inc., Burlington Northern Railroad Company,
     Santa Fe Pacific Corporation and The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
     Company (each hereinafter referred to as a "Significant Subsidiary" or
     collectively as the "Significant Subsidiaries") has been duly incorporated
     and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of
     its jurisdiction of incorporation;

          (g)  The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
     Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company
     have been duly and validly 
<PAGE>
 
     authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable; and all of the
     issued shares of capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary of the
     Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid
     and non-assessable and except as set forth in the Prospectus are owned
     directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens,
     encumbrances, equities or claims;

          (h)  The Securities have been duly authorized, and, when Designated
     Securities are issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement and the
     Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated Securities, such
     Designated Securities will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued
     and delivered and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of
     the Company entitled to the benefits provided by the Indenture, which will
     be substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration
     Statement; assuming the due authorization and execution by the Trustee, the
     Indenture has been duly authorized and duly qualified under the Trust
     Indenture Act and, at the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities
     (as defined in Section 4 hereof), the Indenture will constitute a valid and
     legally binding instrument, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
     subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and
     other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors'
     rights and to general equity principles; and the Indenture conforms and the
     Designated Securities will conform, to the descriptions thereof contained
     in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented with respect to such
     Designated Securities;

          (i)  The issue and sale of the Securities and the compliance by the
     Company with all of the provisions of the Securities, the Indenture, this
     Agreement and any Pricing Agreement and the consummation of the
     transactions herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or
     result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
     constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
     agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject except for such conflicts,
     breaches, violations or defaults that will not individually or in the
     aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business, financial
     position, shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and
     its subsidiaries taken as a whole, nor will such action result in any
     violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws
     of the Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court
     or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any
     of its subsidiaries or any of their properties except for such violations
     (other than with respect to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or
     By-laws) that will not individually or in the aggregate have a material
     adverse effect on the business, financial position, shareholders' equity or
     results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
     and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
     qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is
     required for the issue and sale of the Securities or the consummation by
     the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any
     Pricing Agreement or the Indenture, except such as have been, or will have
     been prior to the Time of Delivery, obtained under the Act and the Trust
     Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations
     or 
<PAGE>
 
     qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws
     in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the
     Underwriters;

          (j)  Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or
     governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries is the subject which the Company has reasonable cause to
     believe will individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
     effect on the financial position, shareholders' equity or results of
     operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and, to
     the best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or
     contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others; and

          (k)  Price Waterhouse LLP and Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., who have
     certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries,
     are independent public accountants as required by the Act and the rules and
     regulations of the Commission thereunder.

     3.   Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Securities and authorization by the Representatives of the release of
such Designated Securities, the several Underwriters propose to offer such
Designated Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented.

     4.   Designated Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to
the Pricing Agreement relating thereto, in definitive form to the extent
practicable, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names
as the Representatives may request upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice
to the Company, shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the
Representatives for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by such
Underwriter or on its behalf of the purchase price therefor by certified or
official bank check or checks or such funds as may be designated in the Pricing
Agreement, payable to the order of the Company in the funds specified in such
Pricing Agreement, all at the place and time and date specified in such Pricing
Agreement or at such other place and time and date as the Representatives and
the Company may agree upon in writing, such time and date being herein called
the "Time of Delivery" for such Securities.

     5.   The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters of any Designated
Securities:

          (a)  To prepare the Prospectus as amended and supplemented in relation
     to the applicable Designated Securities in a form approved by the
     Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under
     the Act not later than the Commission's close of business on the second
     business day following the execution and delivery of the Pricing Agreement
     relating to the applicable Designated Securities or, if applicable, such
     earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b); to make no further
     amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus as
     amended or supplemented after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to
     such Securities and prior to the Time of Delivery for such 
<PAGE>
 
     Securities without giving you advance notice thereof and an opportunity to
     comment thereon; to advise the Representatives promptly of any such
     amendment or supplement after such Time of Delivery and furnish the
     Representatives with copies thereof; to file promptly all reports and any
     definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the
     Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), required to be filed
     by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
     15(d) of the Exchange Act for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is
     required in connection with the offering or sale of such Securities, and
     during such same period to advise the Representatives, promptly after it
     receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration
     Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the
     Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed with the Commission, of
     the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing
     or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the Securities, of the
     suspension of the qualification of such Securities for offering or sale in
     any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
     any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or
     supplementing of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional
     information; and, in the event of the issuance of any such stop order or of
     any such order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating
     to the Securities or suspending any such qualification, to use promptly its
     best efforts to obtain its withdrawal;

          (b)  Promptly from time to time take such action as the
     Representatives may reasonably request to qualify such Securities for
     offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions in the
     United States as the Representatives may request and to comply with such
     laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such
     jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution
     of such Securities, provided that in connection therewith the Company shall
     not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general
     consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;

          (c)  To furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus as
     amended or supplemented in such quantities as the Representatives may from
     time to time reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus is
     required at any time prior to the expiration of nine months after the date
     of the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in connection with the
     offering or sale of the Securities and if at such time any event shall have
     occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or
     supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
     to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when
     such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason
     it shall be necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the
     Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by
     reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, the Exchange
     Act or the Trust Indenture Act, to notify the Representatives and upon
     their request to file such document and to prepare and furnish without
     charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies
     as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an
     amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct
     such statement or omission or effect such compliance and in case any
<PAGE>
 
     Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus in connection with sales of
     any of the Securities at any time nine months or more after the date of the
     Prospectus as amended or supplemented, upon your request but at the expense
     of such Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many
     copies as you may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus
     complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;

          (d)  To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
     practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the
     effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c)),
     an earning statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be
     audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and
     regulations of the Commission thereunder (including at the option of the
     Company Rule 158); and

          (e)  During the period beginning from the date of the Pricing
     Agreement for such Designated Securities and continuing to and including
     the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, not to offer, sell,
     contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities of the Company
     which mature more than one year after such Time of Delivery and which are
     substantially similar to such Designated Securities, without the prior
     written consent of the Representatives.

     6.   The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that
the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees,
disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in
connection with the registration of the Securities under the Act and all other
expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or
reproducing this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement, any Indenture, and the Blue
Sky Memorandum and any other documents in connection with the offering,
purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities; (iii) all expenses in connection
with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under state
securities laws as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such
qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky survey; (iv) any fees charged
by securities rating services for rating the Securities; (v) the cost of
preparing the Securities; (vi) the fees and expenses of any Trustee and any
agent of any Trustee and the fees and disbursements of counsel for any Trustee
in connection with any Indenture and the Securities (to the extent the Trustee
does not pay such fees); and (vii) all other costs and expenses incident to the
performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically
provided for in this Section.  It is understood, however, that, except as
provided in this Section, Section 8 and Section 11 hereof, the Underwriters will
pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel,
transfer taxes on resale of any of the Securities by them, and any advertising
expenses connected with any offers they may make.

     7.   The obligations of the Underwriters of any Designated Securities under
the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities shall be subject,
in the discretion of the Representatives, to the condition that all
representations and warranties and other statements of the 
<PAGE>
 
Company in or incorporated by reference in the Pricing Agreement relating to
such Designated Securities are, at and as of the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities, true and correct in all material respects, the condition
that the Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder
theretofore to be performed and the following additional conditions:

          (a)  The Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the
     applicable Designated Securities shall have been filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for
     such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance
     with Section 5(c) hereof; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
     Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no
     proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the
     Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the
     Commission shall have been complied with to the Representatives' reasonable
     satisfaction;

          (b)  Sullivan & Cromwell, counsel for the Underwriters, using
     reasonable efforts, shall have furnished to the Representatives such
     opinion or opinions, dated the Time of Delivery for such Designated
     Securities, with respect to the incorporation of the Company, the validity
     of the Securities being delivered at such Time of Delivery, the
     Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and other related matters as the
     Representatives may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have
     received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to
     enable them to pass upon such matters;

          (c)  Mayer, Brown & Platt, counsel for the Company, shall have
     furnished to the Representatives their written opinion, which may be
     subject to reasonable and customary assumptions, qualifications and
     limitations and shall be dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that:

               (i)    The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
          existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State
          of Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own its properties
          and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus as amended or
          supplemented;

               (ii)   The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth
          in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, and all of the issued
          shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly
          authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;

               (iii)  The Company has been duly qualified as a foreign
          corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing in
          each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the
          ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except
          where failure to qualify would not in the aggregate have a material
          adverse effect upon the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
<PAGE>
 
               (iv)    Each Significant Subsidiary of the Company has been duly
          incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
          under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; and all of the
          issued shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary have been duly
          and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable,
          and (except for directors' qualifying shares and except as otherwise
          set forth in the Prospectus) are owned directly or indirectly by the
          Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or
          claims;

               (v)     To such counsel's knowledge and other than as set forth
          in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings
          pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or
          of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the
          subject which the Company has reasonable cause to believe will
          individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the
          financial position, shareholders' equity or results of operations of
          the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and, to such
          counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or
          contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;

               (vi)    This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to
          the Designated Securities have been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Company;

               (vii)   The Designated Securities have been duly authorized,
          executed, authenticated, issued and delivered and constitute valid and
          legally binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits
          provided by the Indenture, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
          insolvency, reorganization and similar laws of general applicability
          relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
          principles; and the Designated Securities and the Indenture conform to
          the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

               (viii)  Assuming due authorization and execution by the Trustee,
          the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
          parties thereto and constitutes a valid and legally binding
          instrument, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
          enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws
          of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
          and to general equity principles; and the Indenture has been duly
          qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;

               (ix)    Assuming due authorization and execution by the Trustee,
          the issue and sale of the Designated Securities and the compliance by
          the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the
          Pricing Agreement with respect to the Designated Securities and the
          consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will
          not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the
          terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
          mortgage, deed 
<PAGE>
 
          of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument known to
          such counsel to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a
          party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or
          to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its
          subsidiaries is subject, the effects of which would, in the aggregate,
          be materially adverse to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
          whole, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions
          of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or any
          statute, order, rule or regulation known to such counsel of any court
          or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or
          any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties;

               (x)    No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration
          or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or
          body is required for the issue and sale of the Designated Securities
          or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by
          this Agreement or such Pricing Agreement or the Indenture with respect
          to the Designated Securities, except as have been obtained under the
          Act and the Trust Indenture Act, and such consents, approvals,
          authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required
          under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the
          purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters;

               (xi)   The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus
          as amended or supplemented (other than the financial statements and
          other financial data therein, as to which such counsel need express no
          opinion or belief), when they became effective or were filed with the
          Commission, as the case may be, appear to have complied as to form in
          all material respects with the requirements of the Act, or the
          Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulation of the
          Commission thereunder; and such counsel shall also state that no facts
          have come to their attention that lead them to believe that any of
          such documents, when such documents became effective or were so filed,
          as the case may be, contained, in the case of a registration statement
          which became effective under the Act, an untrue statement of a
          material fact, or omitted to state a material fact required to be
          stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
          misleading, or, in the case of other documents which were filed under
          the Act or the Exchange Act with the Commission, an untrue statement
          of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in
          order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
          circumstances under which they were made when such documents were so
          filed, not misleading; and

               (xii)  The Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended
          or supplemented and any further amendments and supplements thereto
          made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery for the Designated
          Securities (other than the financial statements and other financial
          data therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion or
          belief) appear to comply as to form in all material respects with the
          requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; such
          counsel shall also state that no facts have come to their attention
          that lead them to believe 
<PAGE>
 
          that, as of its effective date, the Registration Statement or any
          further amendment thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of
          Delivery (other than the financial statements and other financial data
          therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion or belief)
          contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
          material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
          statements therein not misleading or that, as of its date, the
          Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any further amendment or
          supplement thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery
          (other than the financial statements and other financial data therein,
          as to which such counsel need express no opinion or belief) contained
          an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
          fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
          circumstances in which they were made, not misleading or that, as of
          the Time of Delivery, either the Registration Statement or the
          Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any other amendment or
          supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery
          (other than the financial statements and other financial data therein,
          as to which such counsel need express no opinion or belief) contains
          an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
          fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
          circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, and they do not
          know of any amendment to the Registration Statement required to be
          filed or any contracts or other documents of a character required to
          be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or required to be
          incorporated by reference into the Prospectus as amended or
          supplemented or required to be described in the Registration Statement
          or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented which are not filed or
          incorporated by reference or described as required.

     In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that they express no
opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal laws of the
United States and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and shall
be entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon opinions of
local counsel believed to be reputable or counsel employed by the Company, and
in respect of matters of fact, upon certificates of officers of the Company or
its transfer agent;

          (d)  On the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated
     Securities and at the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, the
     independent accountants of the Company who have certified the financial
     statements of the Company and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by
     reference in the Registration Statement shall have furnished to the
     Representatives a letter, dated the date of the Pricing Agreement for such
     Designated Securities and a letter dated such Time of Delivery,
     respectively, to the effect set forth in Annex II hereto, and with respect
     to such letter dated such Time of Delivery, as to such other matters as the
     Representatives may reasonably request and in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Representatives;

          (e)  (i)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have
     sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements
     included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended or
     supplemented any loss or interference with its business from 
<PAGE>
 
     fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by
     insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order
     or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus as
     amended or supplemented, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which
     information is given in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented there
     shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of
     the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any change, or any development
     involving a prospective change, in the business, financial position,
     shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
     subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus
     as amended or supplemented, the effect of which, in any such case described
     in Clause (i) or (ii), is in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives
     so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to
     proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Designated
     Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus as
     amended or supplemented;

          (f)  On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
     Designated Securities (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating
     accorded the Company's debt securities by any "nationally recognized
     statistical rating organization," as that term is defined by the Commission
     for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act and (ii) no such organization
     shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review,
     with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's
     debt securities;

          (g)  On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
     Designated Securities there shall not have occurred any of the following:
     (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally
     on the New York Stock Exchange; (ii) a general moratorium on commercial
     banking activities in New York declared by either Federal or New York State
     authorities; or (iii) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving
     the United States or the declaration by the United States of a National
     Emergency or war, if the effect of any such event specified in this clause
     (iii) in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives makes it
     impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the
     delivery of the Designated Securities on the terms and in the manner
     contemplated by the Prospectus as amended and supplemented; and

          (h)  The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the
     Representatives at the Time of Delivery of the Designated Securities a
     certificate or certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to the
     Representatives as to the accuracy in all material respects of the
     representations and warranties of the Company herein at and as of such Time
     of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company of all of its obligations
     hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, and as to
     the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (e) of this Section.

     8.   (a)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such Underwriter may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained 
<PAGE>
 
in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other
prospectus relating to the Securities prepared by the Company, or any amendment
or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each
Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or
claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage
or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, Prospectus or the Registration Statement, or any such amendment or
supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by any Underwriter of Designated Securities through the
Representatives expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented
relating to such Securities, and provided, further, that the Company shall not
be liable to any Underwriter under the indemnity agreement in this subsection
(a) with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus
supplement, or with respect to any Prospectus as amended or supplemented, to the
extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such Underwriter
results from the fact that such Underwriter sold Securities to a person to whom
there was not sent or given, at or prior to the written confirmation of such
sale, a copy of the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented (excluding
documents incorporated by reference) if the Company has previously furnished
copies thereof to such Underwriter.

          (b)  Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
     against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may
     become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
     damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are
     based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
     fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus
     supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
     supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any
     amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the
     omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such
     untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
     omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus
     supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
     supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any
     such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with
     written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through
     the Representatives expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the
     Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company
     in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as
     such expenses are incurred.

          (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
     (a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such
     indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made
     against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify 
<PAGE>
 
     the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the
     omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any
     liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under
     such subsection. In case any such action shall be brought against any
     indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the
     commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to
     participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any
     other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof,
     with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party who shall
     not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the
     indemnifying party, and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such
     indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the
     indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such
     subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses,
     in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection
     with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall more than one such
     separate counsel in each jurisdiction where an action is commenced be
     retained for all indemnified Parties together and neither the indemnified
     Party nor the indemnifying Party, in the instance where the indemnifying
     Party has assumed the defense of the indemnified Party, shall settle any
     action, proceeding or investigation with respect to the indemnified Party
     without the written consent of the other, which consent shall not be
     unreasonably withheld.

          (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
     unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
     subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
     liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
     indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable to such
     indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or
     liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is
     appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the
     one hand and the Underwriters of the Designated Securities on the other
     from the offering of the Designated Securities to which such loss, claim,
     damage or liability (or action in respect thereof) relates.  If, however,
     the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
     permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed to give the
     notice required under subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying party
     shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
     in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative
     benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the
     Underwriters of the Designated Securities on the other in connection with
     the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages
     or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other
     relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the
     Company on the one hand and such Underwriters on the other shall be deemed
     to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from such offering
     (before deducting expenses) received by the Company to the total
     underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriters.  The
     relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
     whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
     omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
     information supplied by the Company on the one hand or such Underwriters on
     the other and the parties' relative intent, prejudice resulting from any
     failure to give notice of any 
<PAGE>
 
     action under sub-section (c), knowledge, access to information and
     opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company
     and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if
     contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata
     allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
     purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account
     of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d).
     The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the
     losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
     referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any
     legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
     connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
     Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall
     be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
     total price at which the applicable Designated Securities underwritten by
     it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the
     amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to
     pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or
     alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
     the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution
     from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
     The obligations of the Underwriters of Designated Securities in this
     subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective
     underwriting obligations with respect to such Securities and not joint.

          (e)  The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
     addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall
     extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who
     controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations
     of the Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any
     liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall
     extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of
     the Company and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
     meaning of the Act.

     9.   (a)  If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase
the Designated Securities which it has agreed to purchase under the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Designated Securities, the Representatives may in
their discretion arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to
purchase such Designated Securities on the terms contained herein.  If within
thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter the Representatives do
not arrange for the purchase of such Designated Securities, then the Company
shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to
procure another party or other parties reasonably satisfactory to the
representatives to purchase such Designated Securities on such terms.  In the
event that, within the respective prescribed period, the Representatives notify
the Company that they have so arranged for the purchase of such Designated
Securities, or the Company notifies the Representatives that it has so arranged
for the purchase of such Designated Securities, the Representatives or the
Company shall have the right to postpone the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities for a period of not more than seven days, in order to
effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, or in any other
documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any
amendments or supplements to the 
<PAGE>
 
Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in the opinion of the
Representatives may thereby be made necessary. The term "Underwriter" as used in
this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with like
effect as if such person had originally been a party to the Pricing Agreement
with respect to such Designated Securities.

          (b)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
     the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by
     the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above,
     the aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities which remains
     unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount
     of the Designated Securities, then the Company shall have the right to
     require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the principal amount of
     Designated Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under the
     Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities and, in addition,
     to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share
     (based on the principal amount of Designated Securities which such
     Underwriter agreed to purchase under such Pricing Agreement) of the
     Designated Securities of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for
     which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall
     relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

          (c)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
     the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by
     the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above,
     the aggregate principal amount of Designated Securities which remains
     unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of the
     Designated Securities, as referred to in subsection (b) above, or if the
     Company shall not exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to
     require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase Designated Securities of a
     defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then the Pricing Agreement relating
     to such Designated Securities shall thereupon terminate, without liability
     on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except for
     the expenses to be borne by the Company and the Underwriters as provided in
     Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 8
     hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from
     liability for its default.

     10.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to
this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company,
or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.

     11.  If any Pricing Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9
hereof or as the result of the failure to satisfy the condition set forth in
Section 7(g) hereof, the Company shall not then be under any liability to any
Underwriter with respect to the Designated Securities covered by such Pricing
Agreement except as provided in Section 6 and Section 8 hereof; but, if for any
other 
<PAGE>
 
reason Designated Securities are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as
provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters through the
Representatives for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by
the Representatives, including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel,
incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the purchase, sale and
delivery of such Designated Securities, but the Company shall then be under no
further liability to any Underwriter with respect to such Designated Securities
except as provided in Section 6 and Section 8 hereof.

     12.  In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters of
Designated Securities shall act on behalf of each of such Underwriters, and the
parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request,
notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such
Representatives jointly or by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be
designated for such purpose in the Pricing Agreement.

     All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the address of the Representatives as set forth in the
Pricing Agreement; and if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail,
telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the
Registration Statement: Attention: Corporate Secretary; provided, however, that
any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered
or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its
address set forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire or telex constituting such
Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by the
Representatives upon request.  Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

     13.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be binding upon, and
inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent
provided in Section 8 and Section 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the
Company and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no
other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this
Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement.  No purchaser of any of the Securities
from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of
such purchase.

     14.  Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing Agreement.  As used
herein, "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office in
Washington, D.C. is open for business.

     15.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

     16.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be executed by any one
or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
<PAGE>
 
     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us eight counterparts hereof.


                                    Very truly yours,

                                    BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE 
                                    CORPORATION


                                    By: /s/ Patrick J. Ottensmeyer
                                        --------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:


Accepted as of the date hereof:

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
SALOMON BROTHERS INC

By:  GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.


     By: /s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.
         ------------------------
         Name:
         Title:


By:  J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.


     By: /s/ T. Kelley Millet
         ----------------------------
         Name: T. Kelley Millet
         Title: Managing Director


On behalf of each of the Underwriters
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX I


                               PRICING AGREEMENT


                           __________________, 19__


[
     Underwriters
            ]
  As Representatives of the several
   Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto


Dear Sirs:

     Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in
the Underwriting Agreement, dated __________, 199_ (the "Underwriting
Agreement"), between the Company on the one hand and [                 ] as Co-
Representatives, on the other hand, to issue and sell to the Underwriters named
in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters") the Securities specified in Schedule
II hereto (the "Designated Securities"). Each of the provisions of the
Underwriting Agreement is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and
shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such
provisions had been set forth in full herein; and each of the representations
and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of
the date of this Pricing Agreement, except that each representation and warranty
which refers to the Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall
be deemed to be a representation or warranty as of the date of the Underwriting
Agreement in relation to the Prospectus (as therein defined), and also a
representation and warranty as of the date of this Pricing Agreement in relation
to the Prospectus as amended supplemented relating to the Designated Securities
which are the subject of this Pricing Agreement. Each reference to the
Representatives herein and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement so
incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to you. Unless otherwise
defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as
therein defined. The Representatives designated to act on behalf of the
Representatives and on behalf of each of the Underwriters of the Designated
Securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Underwriting Agreement and the address
of the Representatives referred to in such Section 12 are set forth at the end
of Schedule II hereto.
<PAGE>
 
     An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the
form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the
Commission.

     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time and place
and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto,
the principal amount of Designated Securities set forth opposite the name of
such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us seven counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you, on
behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof,
including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by
reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters
and the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf
of each of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the authority set forth in
a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to
the Company for examination upon request, but without warranty on the part of
the Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.


                                      Very truly yours,

                                      BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE
                                      CORPORATION

                                      By: __________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


Accepted as of the date hereof:


By: __________________________
    Name:
    Title:

On behalf of each of the Underwriters
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE I



                                   Principal
                                   Amount of
                                  Designated
                                  Securities
                                     to be
                                   Purchased
                                  -----------

[                       ]         $



[Names of Underwriters]                     $



                                     -------------
     Total............................      $
                                     =============
<PAGE>
 
                    SCHEDULE II


Title of Designated Securities:

  [  %] [Floating Rate] [Zero Coupon] [Notes]
  [Debentures] due

Aggregate principal amount:

   [$]

Price to Public:

   ___% of the principal amount of the Designated
   Securities, plus accrued interest from ______________ to _____________
   [and accrued amortization, if any, from ________________ to ____________]

Purchase Price by Underwriters:

   __% of the principal amount of the Designated
   Securities, plus accrued interest from __________ to _________ [and
   accrued amortization, if any, from ____________ to ____________]

Specified funds for payment of purchase price:

   [By certified or official bank check or checks, payable to the order of
   the Company in [[New York] [Clearing House] [immediately available][funds]

   [By wire transfer to a bank account specified by the Company in [next day]
   [immediately available funds]

Indenture:

   Indenture dated ____________, 19__, between the Company
   and _________________, as Trustee
<PAGE>
 
Maturity:


Interest Rate:

   [__%] [Zero Coupon] [See Floating Rate Provisions]


Interest Payment Dates:

   [months and dates]

Redemption Provisions:

   [No provisions for redemption]

   [The Designated Securities may be redeemed, otherwise
   than through the sinking fund, in whole or in part at the option of the
   Company, in the amount of [$]       or an integral multiple thereof,

   [on or after ______________, at the following redemption prices
   (expressed in percentages of principal amount.)  (f [redeemed on or
   before _____________, ___% and if] redeemed during the 12-month period
   beginning _______________,


                                            Redemption
                    Year                       Price
                  --------                ---------------



   and thereafter at 100% of their principal amount, together in each case
   with accrued interest to the redemption date.]

   [on any interest payment date falling in or after ______________,
   __________, at the election of the Company, at a redemption price equal
   to the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the date of
   redemption.]

   [Other possible redemption provisions, such as mandatory redemption upon
   occurrence of certain events or redemption for changes in tax law]
<PAGE>
 
   [Restriction on refunding]

Sinking Fund Provisions:

   [No sinking fund provisions]

   [The Designated Securities are entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund
   to retire [$] principal amount of Designated Securities on __________ in
   each of the years __________ through ______ at 100% of their principal
   amount plus accrued interest][, together with [cumulative] [noncumulative]
   redemptions at the option of the Company to retire an additional [$]
   principal amount of Designated Securities in the years ______ through
   ______ at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest].

   [If Securities are extendable debt Securities, insert --

Extendable provisions:

   Securities are repayable on ________, [insert date and years], at the
   option of the holder, at their principal amount with accrued interest.
   Initial annual interest rate will be ________%, and thereafter annual
   interest rate will be adjusted on ___________, _______ and ___________
   to a rate not less than __% of the effective annual interest rate on
   U.S. Treasury obligations with ___________-year maturity date].]

   [If Securities are Floating Rate debt Securities, insert --

Floating rate provisions:

   Initial annual interest rate will be __% through ________ and thereafter
   will be adjusted [monthly] [on each _____________, ________________, and
   ____________] [to an annual rate of __% above the average rate for
   _____-year [month] [securities] [certificates of deposit] issued by
   ________ and ________ [insert names of banks].] [and the annual interest
   rate [thereafter] [from __________ through ___________] will be the
   interest yield equivalent of the weekly average per annum market
   discount rate for _____-month Treasury bills plus __% of Interest
   Differential (the excess, if any, of (i) then current weekly average per
   annum secondary market yield for _____-month certificates of deposit
   over (ii) then current interest yield equivalent of the weekly average
   per annum market discount rate for ____-month Treasury bills); [from
   _________ and thereafter the rate will be the then current interest
   yield equivalent plus ___% of Interest Differential].]


Defeasance provisions:



Terms of Delivery:



Closing Location:


Names and addresses of Representatives:

   Designated Representatives:


   Address for Notices, etc.:


[Other Terms]:
<PAGE>
 
                                                                        ANNEX II


                       DESCRIPTION OF COMFORT LETTER OF
                    COOPERS & LYBRAND AND PRICE WATERHOUSE


I. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. shall deliver to the Underwriters a letter with
   respect to the Company and with respect to Burlington Northern Inc. ("BNI")
   to the effect that:

   A.     They are independent accountants with respect to the Company and
         BNI within the meaning of the Act and the applicable published
         rules and regulations thereunder.

   B.     In their opinion, the consolidated financial statements and
         financial statement schedules of BNI audited by them and
         incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement comply as
         to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
         requirements of the Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
         (the "Exchange Act") and the published rules and regulations
         thereunder with respect to registration statements on Form S-3.

   C.     They have not audited any financial statements of BNI as of any date
         or for any date or for any period subsequent to December 31, 1994;
         although they have conducted an audit for the year ended
         December 31, 1994, the purpose (and therefore the scope) of such
         audit was to enable them to express their opinion on the consolidated
         financial statements as of December 31, 1994 and for the year then
         ended, but not on the financial statements for any interim period
         within such year.  Therefore, they are unable to and do not express
         any opinion on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and the
         unaudited consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows
         incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or on the
         financial position, results of operations or cash flows as of any
         date or for any period subsequent to December 31, 1994.

   D.     BNSF was incorporated in Delaware on December 16, 1994, for the
         purpose of effecting a business combination between BNI and Santa
         Fe Pacific Corporation (SFP) under the Holding Company Structure.

         Under the Holding Company Structure, BNSF created two
         subsidiaries. One such subsidiary merged with and into BNI, and
         the other such subsidiary merged with and into SFP. Each holder of
         
<PAGE>
 
         one share of BNI common stock received one share of BNSF common stock
         and each holder of one share of SFP common stock received 0.41143945
         shares of BNSF common stock. The rights of each stockholder of BNSF are
         substantially identical to the rights of a stockholder of BNI, and the
         Holding Company Structure has the same economic effect with respect to
         the stockholders of BNI and SFP as would a direct merger of BNI and
         SFP. As a result of the merger, BNI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of
         the Company.

     E.   They have not audited any financial statements of BNSF. The BNSF
         unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three-month and
         nine-month periods ended September 30, 1995 and 1994, and cash flows
         for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1995 and 1994 include
         in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
         period ended September 30, 1995, reflect BNI's historical results for
         such periods and SFP's results from September 22, 1995 (the effective
         date of the Merger) through September 30, 1995. The unaudited
         consolidated balance sheets of BNSF included in the Company's
         quarterly Report on Form 10-Q reflects (i) BNI historical amounts at
         December 31, 1994 and (ii) BNI historical amounts plus assets and
         liabilities of SFP at September 30, 1995, including the fair value
         write-up of SFP resulting from the application of purchase accounting.
         They are unable to and do not express any opinion on the unaudited
         consolidated balance sheet of BNSF as of September 30, 1995, the
         unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the
         three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1995 and 1994,
         included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
         quarterly periods ended September 30, 1995, incorporated by reference
         in the Registration Statement.

     F.  For purposes of this letter, they have read certain minutes of
         meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company and BNI and have
         carried out other procedures to a date within three business days of
         the date of the related Pricing Agreement (the "Cut-Off Date") as
         follows:

         1.    With respect to the three-month periods ended March 31, 1995 and
               1994 and the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30,
               1995 and 1994 and the three- and nine-month periods ended
               September 30, 1995 and 1994 of BNI, and the three-month and nine-
               month periods ended September 30, 1995 and 1994 of both the
               Company and BNI, they have:
<PAGE>
 
                  (i).  performed the procedures specified by the American
                        Institute of Certified Public Accountants for a review
                        of interim financial information as described in SAS No.
                        71, Interim Financial Information, on the unaudited
                        consolidated balance sheets and the unaudited
                        consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows
                        for the periods included in BNI's Quarterly Report on
                        Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30, and
                        September 30, 1995, all incorporated by reference in the
                        Registration Statement.

                  (ii). inquired of certain officials of the Company and BNI who
                        have responsibility for financial and accounting matters
                        whether the unaudited consolidated financial statements
                        referred to in 1(i) comply as to form in all material
                        respects with the applicable accounting requirements of
                        the Exchange Act as it applies to Form 10-Q and the
                        published rules and regulations thereunder.

         2.  With respect to the period from October 1, 1995 to October 31,
1995, they have:

                  (i).  read the unaudited consolidated financial statements of
                        both the Company and BNI for October of both 1995 and
                        1994, furnished to us by the Company (these unaudited
                        consolidated financial statements did not include
                        footnotes), officials of the Company having advised us
                        that no such financial statements as of any date or for
                        any period subsequent to October 31, 1995 were
                        available.

                  (ii). inquired of certain officials of both the Company and
                        BNI who have responsibility for financial and accounting
                        matters whether the unaudited consolidated financial
                        statements referred to in 2(a) are stated on basis
                        substantially consistent with that of the audited
                        consolidated financial statements of BNI incorporated by
                        reference in the Registration Statement.

   G.    Nothing came to their attention as a result of the foregoing
<PAGE>
 
         procedures that caused them to believe that:

         1.    (i).   any material modifications should be made to the unaudited
                      consolidated financial statements described in F(1)(a),
                      incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement,
                      for them to be in conformity with generally accepted
                      accounting principles.

               (ii).  the unaudited consolidated financial statements described
                      in F(1)(a), incorporated by reference in the Registration
                      Statement, do not comply as to form in all material
                      respects with the applicable accounting requirements of
                      the Exchange Act as it applies to Form 10-Q and the
                      related published rules and regulations thereunder.

         2.    (i).   at October 31, 1995, there was any change in the common
                      stock, long-term debt including current portion and
                      commercial paper, net current liabilities or stockholders'
                      equity of the Company as compared with amounts shown in
                      the September 30, 1995 unaudited consolidated balance
                      sheet, incorporated by reference in the Registration
                      Statement, except in all instances for changes that the
                      Registration Statement discloses have occurred or may
                      occur.

               (ii).  for the period from October 1, 1995 to October 31, 1995,
                      there were any changes, as compared to the corresponding
                      period in the preceding year, in revenues, net income or
                      earnings per common share of the Company, except in all
                      instances for changes that the Registration Statement
                      discloses have occurred or may occur.

         3.    (i).   at October 31, 1995, there was any change in the common
                      stock and additional paid-in capital, long-term debt
                      including current portion and commercial paper, net
                      current liabilities or stockholder's equity of BNI as
                      compared with amounts shown in the September 30, 1995
                      unaudited consolidated balance sheet,
<PAGE>
 
                      incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement,
                      except in all instances for changes that the Registration
                      Statement discloses have occurred or may occur.

               (ii).  for the period from October 1, 1995 to October 31, 1995,
                      there were any changes, as compared to the corresponding
                      period in the preceding year, in revenues or net income of
                      BNI, except in all instances for changes that the
                      Registration Statement discloses have occurred or may
                      occur.

   H.   They have made inquiries of certain officials of BNI who have
        responsibility for financial and accounting matters as to whether at the
        Cut-Off Date there was any change in capital stock or increase in long-
        term debt of BNI as compared with amounts shown on the most recent
        unaudited consolidated balance sheet information incorporated by
        reference in the Registration Statement. On the basis of these inquiries
        and their reading of the minutes as described in F, nothing came to
        their attention that caused them to believe that there was any such
        change or increase, except in all instances for changes which the
        Registration Statement discloses have occurred or may occur except as
        described in their letter.

   I.   They also performed the following procedures:

        1.   read the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheets and the
             related unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations
             incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

        2.   inquired of certain officials of the Company and BNI and of certain
             officials of Santa Fe Pacific Corporation who have responsibility
             for financial and accounting matters about: (a) the basis for their
             determination of the pro forma adjustments; and (b) whether the
             unaudited pro forma combined financial statements referred to in
             (1) comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
             accounting requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X.

        3.   compared the historical financial information for BNI in the pro
             forma combined financial statements incorporated by reference in
             the registration statement with the
<PAGE>
 
             historical financial information for BNI in the audited
             consolidated financial statements described in the introductory
             paragraph of this letter or to amounts in the unaudited
             consolidated financial statements described in G(1) to the extent
             such amounts are included in or can be derived from such
             statements, and found them to be in agreement.

         4.  proved the arithmetic accuracy of the application of the pro forma
             adjustments to the historical amounts in the unaudited pro forma
             combined financial statements.

   J.    Nothing came to their attention as a result of such procedures
         that caused them to believe that such unaudited pro forma combined
         financial statements do not comply as to form in all material
         respects with the applicable accounting requirements of Rule 11-02
         of Regulation S-X and that the pro forma adjustments have not been
         properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of
         those statements.

   K.    For the purposes of this letter, they have also read the items
         identified by the Underwriters on the attached copy of the
         documents forming part of the Registration Statement and have
         performed specified procedures which were applied as indicated to
         the items identified on the attached copy of such documents.

II.      Price Waterhouse LLP shall deliver to the Underwriters a letter
         with respect to the Company and Santa Fe Pacific Corporation
         ("SFP") to the effect that:

   A.    They are independent accountants with respect to the Company and
         SFP within the meaning of the Act and the applicable published
         rules and regulations thereunder.

   B.    In their opinion, the consolidated financial statements audited by
         them and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
         comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
         accounting requirements of the Act and the Securities Exchange Act
         of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and the published rule and
         regulations thereunder with respect to registration statements on
         Form S-3.

   C.    They have not audited any financial statements of SFP as of any date
         or for any period subsequent to December 31, 1994; although they have
<PAGE>
 
         conducted an audit for the year ended December 31, 1994, the purpose
         (and therefore the scope) of such audit was to enable them to express
         their opinion on the consolidated financial statements as of
         December 31, 1994 and for the year then ended, but not on the
         financial statements for any interim period within such year.
         Therefore, they are unable to and do not express any opinion on the
         unaudited consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows
         incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or on the
         financial position, results of operations or cash flows as of any
         date or for any period subsequent to December 31, 1994.

   D.    With respect to the three-month periods ended March 31, 1995 and
         1994, the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 1995 and
         1994 and the period from January 1, 1995 through September 21,
         1995, they have read the minutes of specified meetings of the
         Board of Directors of SFP and have carried out other procedures to
         a date within three business days prior to the date of the related
         Pricing Agreement (the "Cut-Off Date") as follows:

         1.   performed the procedures specified by the American Institute of
              Certified Public Accountants for a review of interim financial
              information as described in SAS No. 71, Interim Financial
              Information, on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and the
              unaudited consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows
              for the periods included in SFP's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q
              for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 1995 incorporated by
              reference in the Registration Statement and read the unaudited
              consolidated statement of operations for the period from January
              1, 1995 through September 21, 1995; and

         2.   inquired of certain officials of SFP who have responsibility for
              financial and accounting matters whether the unaudited
              consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in the
              Registration Statement comply as to form in all material respects
              with the applicable accounting requirements of the Exchange Act as
              it applies to Form 10-Q and the published rules and regulations
              thereunder and whether the unaudited consolidated statement for
              the period January 1, 1995 through September 21, 1995 is stated on
              the basis substantially consistent with that of the corresponding
              amounts in the audited consolidated financial statements
              incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
 
   E.    Nothing came to their attention as a result of the foregoing
         procedures that caused them to believe that:

         1.   (i) the unaudited consolidated financial statements describe in
              D(1) above, incorporated by reference in the Registration
              Statement, do not comply as to form in all material respects with
              the applicable accounting requirements of the Exchange Act as it
              applies to Form 10-Q and the published rules and regulations
              thereunder or (ii) any material modifications should be made to
              the unaudited consolidated financial statements described in D(1)
              for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting
              principles; or

         2.   the unaudited consolidated statement of operations for the period
              January 1, 1995 through September 21, 1995 was not stated on a
              basis substantially consistent with that of the corresponding
              amounts in the audited financial statements incorporated by
              reference in the Registration Statement; or

         3.   for the period from January 1, 1995 to September 21, 1995, there
              were any decreases, as compared with the corresponding period in
              the preceding year, in revenues or in the total or per-share
              amounts of income from continuing operations or of net income,
              except in all instances for changes or decreases which the
              Registration Statement discloses have occurred or may occur.

   F. They also performed the following procedures:

         1.   read the unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations
              incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

         2.   inquired of certain officials of the Company and SFP who have
              responsibility for financial and accounting matters about (a) the
              basis for their determination of the pro forma adjustments; and
              (b) whether the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements
              referred to in (1) comply as to form in all material respect with
              the applicable accounting requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation
              S-X.
<PAGE>
 
         3.   compared the historical financial information for SFP in the pro
              forma combined statements of operations incorporated by reference
              in the Registration Statement with the historical financial
              information for SFP in the audited consolidated financial
              statements described in the introductory paragraph of their letter
              or to amounts in the unaudited consolidated statement of
              operations for the period January 1, 1995 through September 21,
              1995 described in D(1) to the extent such amounts are included in
              or can be derived from such statements, and found them to be in
              agreement.

         4.   proved the arithmetic accuracy of the application of the pro forma
              adjustments to the historical amounts in the unaudited pro forma
              combined statements of operations.

   G.    Nothing came to their attention as a result of such procedures
         that caused them to believe that such unaudited pro forma combined
         statements of operations does not comply as to form in all
         material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of
         Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X and that the pro form a adjustments
         have not been properly applied to the historical amounts in the
         compilation of those statements.

   H.    For purposes of this letter, they have also read the items
         identified by the Underwriters on the attached copy of the
         documents forming part of the Registration Statement and have
         performed specific procedures which were applied as indicated to
         the items identified on the attached copy of such documents.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 4


================================================================================




                   BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION
                                           Issuer


                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                                           Trustee


                                ---------------


                                   INDENTURE


                         Dated as of December 1, 1995


                                ---------------




================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
 ......................................................
   CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THIS INDENTURE RELATING TO SECTIONS 310 THROUGH 318,
                INCLUSIVE, OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
TRUST INDENTURE
  ACT SECTION                                                                      INDENTURE SECTION
<S>                                                                                <C> 
(S) 310(a)(1)   ..............................................................     609
       (a)(2)   ..............................................................     609
       (a)(3)   ..............................................................     Not Applicable
       (a)(4)   ..............................................................     Not Applicable
       (b)      ..............................................................     608
                                                                                   610

(S) 311(a)      ..............................................................     613
       (b)      ..............................................................     613
(S) 312(a)      ..............................................................     701
                                                                                   702
       (b)      ..............................................................     702
       (c)      ..............................................................     702
(S) 313(a)      ..............................................................     703
       (b)      ..............................................................     703
       (c)      ..............................................................     703
       (d)      ..............................................................     703
(S) 314(a)      ..............................................................     704
       (a)(4)   ..............................................................     101
                                                                                   1004
       (b)      ..............................................................     Not Applicable
       (c)(1)   ..............................................................     102
       (c)(2)   ..............................................................     102
       (c)(3)   ..............................................................     Not Applicable
       (d)      ..............................................................     Not Applicable
       (e)      ..............................................................     102
(S) 315(a)      ..............................................................     601
       (b)      ..............................................................     602
       (c)      ..............................................................     601
       (d)      ..............................................................     601
       (e)      ..............................................................     514
</TABLE> 

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
TRUST INDENTURE
  ACT SECTION                                                                        INDENTURE SECTION
<S>                                                                                  <C>  
(S) 316(a)        ..............................................................     101
       (a)(1)(A)  ..............................................................     502
                                                                                     512
       (a)(1)(B)  ..............................................................     513
       (a)(2)     ..............................................................     Not Applicable
       (b)        ..............................................................     508
       (c)        ..............................................................     104
(S) 317(a)(1)     ..............................................................     503
       (a)(2)     ..............................................................     504
       (b)        ..............................................................     1003
(S) 318(a)        ..............................................................     107
</TABLE> 


NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                             Page
                                                                                                             ----
<S>                                                                                                          <C> 
                                  ARTICLE ONE

                       DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
                                          OF GENERAL APPLICATION............................................  1     
                                                                                                                    
     SECTION 101.  Definitions..............................................................................  1     
                   "Act"....................................................................................  2     
                   "Affiliate"..............................................................................  2     
                   "Authenticating Agent"...................................................................  2     
                   "Board of Directors".....................................................................  2     
                   "Board Resolution".......................................................................  2     
                   "Business Day"...........................................................................  2     
                   "Commission".............................................................................  2     
                   "Company"................................................................................  3     
                   "Company Request" or "Company Order".....................................................  3     
                   "Corporate Trust Office".................................................................  3     
                   "corporation"............................................................................  3     
                   "Covenant Defeasance"....................................................................  3     
                   "Debt"...................................................................................  3     
                   "Defaulted Interest".....................................................................  3     
                   "Defeasance".............................................................................  3     
                   "Depositary".............................................................................  3     
                   "Event of Default".......................................................................  3     
                   "Exchange Act"...........................................................................  3     
                   "Expiration Date"........................................................................  3     
                   "Global Security"........................................................................  3     
                   "Holder".................................................................................  3     
                   "Indenture"..............................................................................  4     
                   "interest"...............................................................................  4     
                   "Interest Payment Date"..................................................................  4     
                   "Investment Company Act".................................................................  4     
                   "Lien"...................................................................................  4     
                   "Maturity"...............................................................................  4     
                   "Notice of Default"......................................................................  4     
                   "Officers' Certificate"..................................................................  4     
                   "Opinion of Counsel".....................................................................  4     
                   "Original Issue Discount Security".......................................................  4     
                   "Outstanding"............................................................................  4     
                   "Paying Agent"...........................................................................  6     
                   "Person".................................................................................  6     
                   "Place of Payment".......................................................................  6     
                   "Predecessor Security"...................................................................  6     
                   "Redemption Date"........................................................................  6     
                   "Redemption Price".......................................................................  6     
                   "Regular Record Date"....................................................................  6     
                   "Repayment Date".........................................................................  6     
                   "Responsible Officer"....................................................................  6     
                   "Restricted Subsidiary"..................................................................  7     
</TABLE> 

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                                Page
                                                                                                                ----
     <S>                                                                                                        <C>   
                       "Securities".........................................................................      7     
                       "Securities Act".....................................................................      7
                       "Security Register" and "Security Registrar".........................................      7
                       "Special Record Date"................................................................      7
                       "Stated Maturity"....................................................................      7
                       "Subsidiary".........................................................................      7
                       "Trust Indenture Act"................................................................      7
                       "Trustee"............................................................................      7
                       "U.S. Government Obligation".........................................................      7
                       "Vice President".....................................................................      8
                       "Yield to Maturity"..................................................................      8
     SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.....................................................      8
     SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee...................................................      8
     SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders; Record Dates............................................................      9
     SECTION 105.  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company....................................................     11
     SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver................................................................     12
     SECTION 107.  Conflict with Trust Indenture Act........................................................     12
     SECTION 108.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.................................................     12
     SECTION 109.  Successors and Assigns...................................................................     12
     SECTION 110.  Separability Clause......................................................................     13
     SECTION 111.  Benefits of Indenture....................................................................     13
     SECTION 112.  Governing Law............................................................................     13
     SECTION 113.  Legal Holidays...........................................................................     13

                                                    ARTICLE TWO

                                           SECURITY FORMS...................................................     13

     SECTION 201.  Forms Generally..........................................................................     13
     SECTION 202.  Form of Face of Security.................................................................     14
     SECTION 203.  Form of Reverse of Security..............................................................     16
     SECTION 204.  Form of Legend for Global Securities.....................................................     22
     SECTION 205.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication..........................................     22
</TABLE> 

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                            Page
                                                                                                            ----
     <S>                                                                                                    <C> 
                                               ARTICLE THREE                                                          
                                                                                                                      
                                              THE SECURITIES................................................ 23       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 301.  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series..................................................... 23       
     SECTION 302.  Denominations............................................................................ 26       
     SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating........................................... 26       
     SECTION 304.  Temporary Securities..................................................................... 27       
     SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange...................................... 28       
     SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities......................................... 30       
     SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional                                           
                   Interest Reset........................................................................... 31       
     SECTION 308.  Optional Extension of Maturity........................................................... 33       
     SECTION 309.  Persons Deemed Owners.................................................................... 34       
     SECTION 310.  Cancellation............................................................................. 34       
     SECTION 311.  Computation of Interest.................................................................. 35       
                                                                                                                      
                                               ARTICLE FOUR                                                           
                                                                                                                      
                                        SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE.......................................... 35       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.................................................. 35       
     SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Money............................................................... 36       
                                                                                                                      
                                               ARTICLE FIVE                                                           
                                                                                                                      
                                                 REMEDIES................................................... 36       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 501.  Events of Default........................................................................ 36       
     SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment....................................... 38       
     SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by                                            
                   Trustee.................................................................................. 39       
     SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim......................................................... 40       
     SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession                                                      
                   of Securities............................................................................ 40       
     SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected........................................................... 41       
     SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits...................................................................... 41       
     SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,                                               
                   Premium and Interest..................................................................... 42       
     SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies....................................................... 42       
     SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative........................................................... 42       
     SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver............................................................. 43       
     SECTION 512.  Control by Holders....................................................................... 43       
     SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults.................................................................. 43       
     SECTION 514.  Undertaking for Costs.................................................................... 44       
     SECTION 515.  Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.................................................. 44       

                                                                    
                                               ARTICLE SIX         
</TABLE>                                                                     
                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
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                                                                                                            ----
     <S>                                                                                                    <C>  
                                                THE TRUSTEE................................................. 44       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 601.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities...................................................... 44       
     SECTION 602.  Notice of Defaults....................................................................... 44       
     SECTION 603.  Certain Rights of Trustee................................................................ 45       
     SECTION 604.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities................................... 46       
     SECTION 605.  May Hold Securities...................................................................... 46       
     SECTION 606.  Money Held in Trust...................................................................... 46       
     SECTION 607.  Compensation and Reimbursement........................................................... 46       
     SECTION 608.  Conflicting Interests.................................................................... 47       
     SECTION 609.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.................................................. 47       
     SECTION 610.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor........................................ 47       
     SECTION 611.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor................................................... 49       
     SECTION 612.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.............................. 50       
     SECTION 613.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company........................................ 50       
     SECTION 614.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent...................................................... 50       
                                                                                                                      
                                               ARTICLE SEVEN                                                          
                                                                                                                      
                             HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY.............................. 52       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 701.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of                                                  
                   Holders.................................................................................. 52       
     SECTION 702.  Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders................................... 52       
     SECTION 703.  Reports by Trustee....................................................................... 53       
     SECTION 704.  Reports by Company....................................................................... 53       
                                                                                                                      
                                               ARTICLE EIGHT                                                          
                                                                                                                      
                           CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE............................. 53       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 801.  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms..................................... 53       
     SECTION 802.  Successor Substituted.................................................................... 54       
</TABLE> 

                                     iv   
                                                         
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>                                                                                                               
                                                                                                           Page       
                                                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                                                        <C> 
                                               ARTICLE NINE                                                           
                                                                                                                      
                                          SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES........................................... 55       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders....................................... 55       
     SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.......................................... 57       
     SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures..................................................... 58       
     SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures........................................................ 58       
     SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act...................................................... 58       
     SECTION 906.  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures....................................... 58       
                                                                                                                      
                                                ARTICLE TEN                                                           
                                                                                                                      
                                                 COVENANTS.................................................. 58       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.............................................. 59       
     SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency......................................................... 59       
     SECTION 1003.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust....................................... 59       
     SECTION 1004.  Statement by Officers as to Default..................................................... 60       
     SECTION 1005.  Existence............................................................................... 61       
     SECTION 1006.  Maintenance of Properties............................................................... 61       
     SECTION 1007.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims....................................................... 61       
     SECTION 1008.  Limitation on Liens..................................................................... 61       
     SECTION 1009.  Waiver of Certain Covenants............................................................. 62       
                                                                                                                      
                                              ARTICLE ELEVEN                                                          
                                                                                                                      
                                         REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES........................................... 62       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 1101.  Applicability of Article................................................................ 62       
     SECTION 1102.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee................................................... 62       
     SECTION 1103.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed....................................... 63       
     SECTION 1104.  Notice of Redemption.................................................................... 63       
     SECTION 1105.  Deposit of Redemption Price............................................................. 64       
     SECTION 1106.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date................................................... 64       
     SECTION 1107.  Securities Redeemed in Part............................................................. 65       
                                                                                                                      
                                              ARTICLE TWELVE                                                          
                                                                                                                      
                                               SINKING FUNDS................................................ 65       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 1201.  Applicability of Article................................................................ 65       
     SECTION 1202.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities................................... 66       
     SECTION 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund............................................... 66       
                                                                                                                      
                                             ARTICLE THIRTEEN                                                         
                                                                                                                      
                                  REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDERS.................................... 66       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 1301.  Applicability of Article................................................................ 66       
</TABLE> 

                                       v
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                           Page
                                                                                                           ----
     <S>                                                                                                   <C>         
     SECTION 1302.  Repayment of Securities................................................................. 67       
     SECTION 1303.  Exercise of Option...................................................................... 67       
     SECTION 1304.  When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and                                            
                         Payable............................................................................ 67       
     SECTION 1305.  Securities Repaid in Part............................................................... 68       
                                                                                                                      
                                             ARTICLE FOURTEEN                                                         
                                                                                                                      
                                    DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE...................................... 68       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 1401.  Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant                                                 
                    Defeasance.............................................................................. 68       
     SECTION 1402.  Defeasance and Discharge................................................................ 69       
     SECTION 1403.  Covenant Defeasance..................................................................... 69       
     SECTION 1404.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance......................................... 70       
     SECTION 1405.  Acknowledgement of Discharge By Trustee................................................. 72       
     SECTION 1406.  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be                                             
                         Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions............................................ 72       
     SECTION 1407.  Reinstatement........................................................................... 72       
                                                                                                                      
                                              ARTICLE FIFTEEN                                                         
                                                                                                                      
                                 IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,                                             
                                     OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES...................................... 73       
                                                                                                                      
     SECTION 1501.  Exemption from Individual Liability..................................................... 73       
</TABLE> 

                                      vi
<PAGE>
 
     INDENTURE, dated as of _____________, 1995, between Burlington Northern
Santa Fe Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company"), having its principal
office at 3800 Continental Plaza, 777 Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas  76102, and
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, a national banking association duly
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as
Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").

                            RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes
or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the "Securities"), to be
issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.

     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

     NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate
benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:


                                  ARTICLE ONE

                       DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
                            OF GENERAL APPLICATION


SECTION  1171.  Definitions.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:

          (1)  the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to
     them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

          (2)  all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
     Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings
     assigned to them therein;

          (3)  all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
     meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term
     "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect to any computation
     required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as
     are generally accepted at the date of such computation;

          (4)  unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an
     "Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may
     be, of this Indenture; and

          (5)  the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
     similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
     Article, Section or other subdivision.
<PAGE>
 
     "Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in
Section 104.

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person.  For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

     "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant
to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one
or more series.

     "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee of that board.

     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board
of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Business Day", when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which
banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.

     "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor Person.

     "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice
Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer,
an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered
to the Trustee.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee in
Chicago, Illinois at which at any particular time its corporate trust business
shall be administered, which office is currently located at One First National
Plaza, Suite 1026, Chicago, Illinois 60670-0126.

     "corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock
company or business trust.

     "Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1403.

     "Debt" means indebtedness for money borrowed.

     "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

     "Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1402.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     "Depositary" means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for
such Securities as contemplated by Section 301.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute
successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104.

     "Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of the
Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 204 (or such
legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities).

     "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
Security Register.

     "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for
all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern
this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively.  The term
"Indenture" shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities
established as contemplated by Section 301.

     "interest", when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security
which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable
after Maturity.

     "Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any Security, means the
Stated Maturity of an instalment of interest on such Security.

     "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any
statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, lien or any other encumbrances.

     "Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which
the principal of such Security or an instalment of principal becomes due and
payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

     "Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in Section
501(4).

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the
Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by
the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.  One of the officers signing an
Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 1004 shall be the principal
executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
for the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an
amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

     "Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date
of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture, except:

          (1)  Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to
     the Trustee for cancellation;

          (2)  Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary
     amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent
     (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by
     the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the
     Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be
     redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this
     Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

          (3)  Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to
     Section 1302; and

          (4)  Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
     exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated
     and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in
     respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
     satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser
     in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue
Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of
the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 502, (B)
if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a
Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall
be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as
contemplated by Section 301, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated
in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be
Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in
the manner provided as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of
such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B)
above, of the amount determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities
owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate
of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to
be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be
protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which the Trustee knows
to be so owned shall be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been
pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes
to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to
such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor
upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

     "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the
Company.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.

     "Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any series,
means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on
the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by
Section 301.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the
same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

     "Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as
contemplated by Section 301.

     "Repayment Date" means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid
at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to
this Indenture.

     "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means the
chairman or any vice-chairman of the board of directors, the chairman or any
vice-chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the chairman
of the trust committee, the president, any vice president, the secretary, any
assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the cashier, any
assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, the controller
or any assistant controller or any other officer of the Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of
and familiarity with the particular subject.

     "Restricted Subsidiary" means Burlington Northern Inc., Santa Fe Pacific
Corporation, Burlington Northern Railroad Company, The Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe Railway Company and any successor or assign of either whether by merger
or otherwise.

     "Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture
and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture.

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor
thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 305.

     "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

     "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any instalment
of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such
Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such
instalment of principal or interest is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting
stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or
more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries.
For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily
has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so
long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any
contingency.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at
the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

     "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or
include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is
more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of
any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

     "U.S. Government Obligation" has the meaning specified in Section 1404.

     "Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee,
means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "vice president".

     " Yield to Maturity" means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of
issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of
interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with
generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

     Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust
Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an
Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in
this Indenture.

     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include,

          (1)  a statement that each individual signing such certificate or
     opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
     relating thereto;

          (2)  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination
     or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
     certificate or opinion are based;

          (3)  a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has
     made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
     express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
     has been complied with; and

          (4)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
     individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters,
and any such Person may certify, or give an opinion as to such matters in one or
several documents.

     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are
erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as
it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.

     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken
by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company.  Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this
Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and
the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

     The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or
writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof.  Where such execution is
by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such
certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his
authority.  The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

     The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the
same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in
reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Security.

     The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining
the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or
take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken
by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may not set a
record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with
respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or
direction referred to in the next paragraph.  If any record date is set pursuant
to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series
on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the
relevant action, whether or not such 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action
shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable
Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any
action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this
paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with
no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant
series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set
pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice
of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable
Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of
Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.

     The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining
the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the
giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of
acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute
proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in
Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series.  If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, declaration, re-quest or direction, whether or
not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such
action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable
Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date.  Nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any
action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this
paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with
no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant
series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set
pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause
notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable
Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of
Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.

     With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party
hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the "Expiration
Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or
later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the
proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and
to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in
Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date.  If an Expiration Date
is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section,
the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially
designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with
respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided
in this paragraph.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be
later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.

     Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any
action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to
all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly
appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with
regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

SECTION 105.  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          (1)  the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient
     for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing
     to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention:  Corporate
     Trust Administration, or

          (2)  the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient
     for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if
     in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company
     addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the
     first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously
     furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver.

     Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected
by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later
than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any),
prescribed for the giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders
is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any
notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Holders.  Where this Indenture provides for notice
in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to
receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be
the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with
the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity
of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

     In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of
any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such
notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute
a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

SECTION 107.  Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

     If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of
the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and
govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of
this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act
which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to
apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 108.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 109.  Successors and Assigns.

     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 110.  Separability Clause.

     In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 111.  Benefits of Indenture.

     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder
and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under this Indenture.

SECTION 112.  Governing Law.

     This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the law of the State of New York.

SECTION 113.  Legal Holidays.

     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated
Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment,
then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities
(other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such
provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal
(and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date,
but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment
with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or
Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity.

                                  ARTICLE TWO

                                SECURITY FORMS

SECTION 201.  Forms Generally.

     The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set forth
in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to
a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each
case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other
variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such
letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or
endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any
securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their
execution thereof.  If the form of Securities of any series is established by
action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of
such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company
Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such
Securities.

     The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on
steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined
by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of
such Securities.

SECTION 202.  Form of Face of Security.

     [INSERT ANY LEGEND REQUIRED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND THE
REGULATIONS THEREUNDER.]


                        ______________________________

                   ________________________________________

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
No. __________                                                     $ __________

     Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company",
which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _______________, or
registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________ Dollars on
____________________ [if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity,
insert --, and to pay interest thereon from _______________ or from the most
recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for, semi-annually on __________ and __________ in each year, commencing
__________, at the rate of _____% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid
or made available for payment [if applicable, insert --, provided that any
principal and premium, and any such instalment of interest, which is overdue
shall bear interest at the rate of _____% per annum (to the extent that the
payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such
amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such
interest shall be payable on demand].  The interest so payable, and punctually
paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in
such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or
more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the
Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the __________ or
__________ (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding
such Interest Payment Date.  Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly
provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular
Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or
one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by
the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this
series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at
any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of
any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in said Indenture].

[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- The
principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a
default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated
Maturity and in such case the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall
bear interest at the rate of _____% per annum (to the extent that the payment of
such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due
until they are paid or made available for payment.  Interest on any overdue
principal or premium shall be payable on demand. [Any such interest on overdue
principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate
of  _____% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on
interest shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the
amount so demanded is paid or made available for payment.  Interest on any
overdue interest shall be payable on demand.]]

     Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable,
insert -- any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or
agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in __________, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert -- ;
provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be
made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such
address shall appear in the Security Register].

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

     Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.

Dated:

                                                 _________________________

                                                 By___________________________



Attest:

 
______________________


SECTION 203.  Form of Reverse of Security.

     This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more
series under an Indenture, dated as of __________ (herein called the
"Indenture", which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such
instrument), between the Company and _______________, as Trustee (herein called
the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture),
and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective
rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company,
the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one
of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert --, limited
in aggregate principal amount to $__________].

     [If applicable, insert-- The interest rate (or the spread or spread
multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on this Security
may be reset by the Company on ____________ (each an "Optional Reset Date"). The
Company may exercise such option with respect to this Security by notifying the
Trustee of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days prior to an
Optional Reset Date for this Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each
Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in
Section 106 of the Indenture, to the Holder of this Security a notice (the
"Reset Notice") indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest
rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate,
if applicable), and if so (i) such new interest rate (or such new spread or
spread multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the provisions, if any, for
redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional
Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated
Maturity of this Security (each such period a "Subsequent Interest Period"),
including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and
the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent
Interest Period.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional
Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the
spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable)
provided for in the Reset Notice and establish an interest rate (or a spread or
spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) that is
higher than the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier, if
applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice, for the Subsequent Interest Period
by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106 of
the Indenture, notice of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or
spread multiplier, if applicable) to the Holder of this Security. Such notice
shall be irrevocable. All Securities of this series with respect to which the
interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such
interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with
respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such
Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to
the next succeeding paragraph, will bear such higher interest rate (or such
higher spread or spread multiplier, if applicable).

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     The Holder of this Security will have the option to elect repayment by the
Company of the principal of this Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price
equal to the principal amount hereof plus interest accrued to such Optional
Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder
must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen of the Indenture for
repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or
notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior
to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered this
Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written
notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of
business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

     [If applicable, insert -- The Stated Maturity of this Security may be
extended at the option of the Company for _______________ (each an "Extension
Period") up to but not beyond ____________ (the "Final Maturity"). The Company
may exercise such option with respect to this Security by notifying the Trustee
of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated
Maturity of this Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the
"Original Stated Maturity"). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee
shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106 of the Indenture, to
the Holder of this Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated
Maturity a notice (the "Extension Notice") indicating (i) the election of the
Company to extend the Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest
rate applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for
redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee's transmittal of the
Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of this Security shall be extended
automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described
in the next paragraph, this Security will have the same terms as prior to the
transmittal of such Extension Notice.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original
Stated Maturity of this Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the
interest rate provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher
interest rate for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in
the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate to
the Holder of this Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities of
this series with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such
higher interest rate.

     If the Company extends the Maturity of this Security, the Holder will have
the option to elect repayment of this Security by the Company on the Original
Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount hereof, plus interest
accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated
Maturity once the Company has extended the Maturity hereof, the Holder hereof
must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen of the Indenture for
repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or
notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior
to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered this
Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may, by
written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender for repayment until the close
of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

      [If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, [if applicable, insert --
(1) on __________ in any year commencing with the year _____ and ending with the
year _____ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption
Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)] at any time [if
applicable, insert -- on or after __________, 19__], as a whole or in part, at
the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as
percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert -- on
or before __________, _____%, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period
beginning __________ of the years indicated,

               Redemption                               Redemption
Year              Price                     Year           Price
- ----           ----------                   ----        ----------

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to _____% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert -- (whether
through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to
the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities,
or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the
relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the
Indenture.]

     [If applicable, insert - The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, (1) on __________ in any
year commencing with the year _____ and ending with the year _____ through
operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for
redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of
the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [if
applicable, insert -- on or after __________], as a whole or in part, at the
election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than
through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal
amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period
beginning __________ of the years indicated,



                                               Redemption Price For Redemption  
          Redemption Price For Redemption      Otherwise Than Through Operation 
Year   Through Operation of the Sinking Fund        of the Sinking Fund         
- ----   -------------------------------------   -------------------------------- 



and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to _____% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the
sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but
interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption
Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more
Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant
Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

     [If applicable, insert -- Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may
not, prior to __________, redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated
by [if applicable, insert -- Clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part
of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly
or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company
(calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less
than _____% per annum.]

     [If applicable, insert -- The sinking fund for this series provides for the
redemption on __________ in each year beginning with the year _____ and ending
with the year _____ of [if applicable, insert -- not less than $__________
("mandatory sinking fund") and not more than] $__________ aggregate principal
amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series acquired or
redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable, insert --
mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [if
applicable, insert --mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be
made [if applicable, insert --, in the inverse order in which they become due].]

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     [If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert -- In the
event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities
of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be
issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]

     [If applicable, insert -- The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance
at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or] [certain
restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security] [, in
each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.]

     [If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If
an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due
and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]

     [If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If an
Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be
continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be
declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the
Indenture.  Such amount shall be equal to -- insert formula for determining the
amount.  Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable
and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each
case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable), all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the
principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series
shall terminate.]

     The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at
the time Outstanding of each series to be affected.  The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount
of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the
Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company
with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the
Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of
this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all
future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration
of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

     As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder
of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with
respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for
any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the
Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written
request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of
Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee
shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with
such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60
days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing
shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the
enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon
on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest
on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency,
herein prescribed.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register,
upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and
interest on this Security are payable, 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the
Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or
more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the
designated transferee or transferees.

     The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $__________ and any integral multiple thereof. As
provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth,
Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount
of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

     No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

SECTION 204.  Form of Legend for Global Securities.

     Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the
Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered
hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A
SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE
REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE
THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

SECTION 205.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

     The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the
following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.


                                                  ___________________________
                                                            As Trustee


                                                  By_________________________
                                                         Authorized Officer

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE THREE

                                THE SECURITIES

SECTION 301.  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

     The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

     The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303,
set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance
of Securities of any series,

          (1)  the title of the Securities of the series (which shall
     distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other
     series);

          (2)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities
     of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
     (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of
     transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the
     series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 and except for any
     Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been
     authenticated and delivered hereunder);

          (3)  the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities of the
     series is payable, or the method by which such date or dates shall be
     determined or extended;

          (4)  the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall
     bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be
     determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the
     method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest
     Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular
     Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date,
     or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the
     basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-
     day year of twelve 30-day months;

          (5)  the place or places where the principal of and any premium and
     interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable;

          (6)  the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which
     and the term and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be
     redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other
     than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company
     to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;

          (7)  the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any
     Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
     provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods
     within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions
     upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in
     whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

          (8)  if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
     thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be
     issuable;

          (9)  if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any
     Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or
     pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be
     determined;

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
          (10)  if other than the currency of the United States of America, the
     currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any
     premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and
     the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the
     United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the
     definition of "Outstanding" in Section 101;

          (11)  if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities
     of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the
     Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that
     or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency,
     currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or
     interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be
     payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which
     such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in
     which such amount shall be determined);

          (12)  the percentage of the principal amount at which such Securities
     will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion
     of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable
     upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to
     Section 502 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

          (13)  if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any
     Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more
     dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be
     the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose
     thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall
     be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or
     which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated
     Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to
     be the principal amount shall be determined);

          (14)  if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or
     any specified part, shall not be defeasible or shall be defeasible in a
     manner varying from Section 1402 and Section 1403 and, if other than by a
     Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to
     defease such Securities shall be evidenced;

          (15)  if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be
     issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities
     and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities,
     the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global
     Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 204 and any
     circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Clause (2) of
     the last paragraph of Section 305 in which any such Global Security may be
     exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer
     of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name
     or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a
     nominee thereof;

          (16)  if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or
     any specified part, shall be subject to the optional interest reset
     provisions of Section 307(b);

          (17)  if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or
     any specified part, shall be subject to the optional extension of maturity
     provisions of Section 308;

          (18)  any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies
     to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee
     or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount
     thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502;

          (19)  any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article
     Ten which applies to Securities of the series; and

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
          (20) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be
     inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by
     Section 901(5)).

     All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as
to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the
Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 303) set forth, or
determined in the manner provided, in the Officers' Certificate referred to
above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

     If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant
to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers'
Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

SECTION 302.  Denominations.

     The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form
without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as
contemplated by Section 301.  In the absence of any such specified denomination
with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series
shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

     The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its President or one of its Vice
Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon attested by its
Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries.  The signature of any of these
officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

     Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who
were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the
Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the
authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance
with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.  If the
form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or
pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 201 and 301,
in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities
under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be
entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in
relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,

          (1)  if the form of such Securities has been established by or
     pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form
     has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

          (2)  if the terms of such Securities have been established by or
     pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms
     have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
     and

          (3)  that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the
     Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any
     conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and
     legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with
     their terms, subject

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
     to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium
     and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
     creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding
paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one
time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers' Certificate otherwise
required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel
otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the
authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered
at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security
of such series to be issued.

     Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

     No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any
Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security
has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder
but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such
Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309, for all
purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been
authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 304.  Temporary Securities.

     Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company
may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.

     If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary
Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of
such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the
office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without
charge to the Holder.  Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive
Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor
and aggregate principal amount.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of
any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor.

SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

     The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other
office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes
collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the
registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities.  The Trustee is
hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities
and transfers of Securities as herein provided.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
     Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at
the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the
name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of
the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate
principal amount.

     At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for
other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like
tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be
exchanged at such office or agency.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered
for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to
receive.

     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

     Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for
exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed,
or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to
the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or
his attorney duly authorized in writing.

     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer.

     If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are
to be redeemed in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register
the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any
such Securities selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the
close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of
or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except
the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

     The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to
Global Securities:

          (1)  Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be
     registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global
     Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee
     thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall
     constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.

          (2)  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global
     Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered,
     and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered,
     in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global
     Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i) has notified
     the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for
     such Global Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered
     under the Exchange Act, (B) there shall have occurred and be continuing an
     Event of Default with respect to such Global Security or (C) there shall
     exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of the
     foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by
     Section 301.

          (3)  Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security
     for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities
     issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be
     registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall
     direct.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          (4)  Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of
     transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any
     portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 304, 306, 906 or
     1107 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and
     shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name
     of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee
     thereof.

SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

     If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a
new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and
bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

     If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to
their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii)
such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and
any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security
of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number
not contemporaneously outstanding.

     In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become
or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

     Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

     Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of
any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest
Reset.

     (a)   Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with
respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable,
and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall
be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest.

     Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein
called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder
on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and
such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each
case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

           (1)  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest
     to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their
     respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business
     on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which
     shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the
     Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid
     on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and
     at the same 

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
     time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to
     the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted
     Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such
     deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when
     deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to
     such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee
     shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest
     which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the
     date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by
     the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall
     promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name
     and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed
     payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to
     be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set
     forth in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record
     Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the
     Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest
     shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series
     (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of
     business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable
     pursuant to the following Clause (2).

          (2)  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
     Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with
     the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be
     listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after
     notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant
     to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the
     Trustee.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

     (b)  The provisions of this Section 307(b) may be made applicable to any
series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions
or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The interest
rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate,
if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the
date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an "Optional Reset
Date"). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by
notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days
prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 40 days prior
to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided
for in Section 106, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the "Reset
Notice") indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate
(or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if
applicable), and if so (i) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread
multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the provisions, if any, for redemption
during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date
or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such
Security (each such period a "Subsequent Interest Period"), including the date
or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices
at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional
Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the
spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable)
provided for in the Reset Notice and establish an interest rate (or a spread or
spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) that is
higher than the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier, if
applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice, for the Subsequent Interest Period
by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106,
notice of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier,
if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable.
All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread
multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an
Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities
have not tendered such Securities

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to the next
succeeding paragraph, will bear such higher interest rate (or such higher spread
or spread multiplier, if applicable).

     The Holder of any such Security will have the option to elect repayment by
the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a
price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such
Optional Reset Date.  In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date,
the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for
repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or
notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior
to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any
Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written
notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of
business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each
Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in
exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest
accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

     SECTION 308.  Optional Extension of Maturity.

     The provisions of this Section 308 may be made applicable to any series of
Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or
substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301).  The Stated
Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the
Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each
an "Extension Period") up to but not beyond the date (the "Final Maturity") set
forth on the face of such Security.  The Company may exercise such option with
respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 50
but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in
effect prior to the exercise of such option (the "Original Stated Maturity").
If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner
provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40
days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the "Extension Notice")
indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Maturity, (ii) the new
Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate applicable to the Extension Period and
(iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon
the Trustee's transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such
Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the
Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, such Security will have
the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original
Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the
interest rate provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher
interest rate for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in
the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate to
the Holder of such Security.  Such notice shall be irrevocable.  All Securities
with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher
interest rate.

     If the Company extends the Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have
the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original
Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest
accrued to such date.  In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated
Maturity once the Company has extended the Maturity thereof, the Holder must
follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option
of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee
shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated
Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment
pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the
Trustee, revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the
tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 309.  Persons Deemed Owners.

     Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security
for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and
(subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the
Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

SECTION 310.  Cancellation.

     All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if
surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee
and shall be promptly cancelled by it.  The Company may at any time deliver to
the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and
delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner
whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery
to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated
hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so
delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee.  No Securities shall be
authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided
in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.  All cancelled
Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company
Order.

SECTION 311.  Computation of Interest.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities
of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


                                 ARTICLE FOUR

                          SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

     This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of
the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, when

              (1)  either

                        (A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and
              delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed,
              lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in
              Section 306 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has
              theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in
              trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or
              discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been
              delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

                        (B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the
              Trustee for cancellation

                             (i)   have become due and payable, or

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
                             (ii)  will become due and payable at their Stated
               Maturity within one year, or

                             (iii) are to be called for redemption within one
               year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the
               giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at
               the expense, of the Company,

          and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has
          deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in
          trust for such purpose money in an amount sufficient to pay and
          discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore
          delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any
          premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of
          Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated
          Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

          (2)  the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
     hereunder by the Company; and

          (3)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
     herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this
     Indenture have been complied with.

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of
the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall
have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of
this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last
paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.

SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Money.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and
interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.


                                 ARTICLE FIVE

                                   REMEDIES

SECTION 501.  Events of Default.

     "Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any
series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected
by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

            (1)  default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of
     that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such
     default for a period of 30 days; or

            (2)  default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on
     any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
            (3)  default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as
     due by the terms of a Security of that series; or

            (4)  default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
     warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or
     warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in
     this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included
     in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than
     that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90
     days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the
     Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of
     at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
     series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it
     to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default"
     hereunder; or

            (5)  the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A)
     a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or a Restricted
     Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
     Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
     law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company or such Restricted
     Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a
     petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of
     or in respect of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary under any
     applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver,
     liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of
     the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its
     or such Restricted Subsidiary's property, or ordering the winding up or
     liquidation of its or such Restricted Subsidiary's affairs, and the
     continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree
     or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

            (6)  the commencement by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as
     the case may be, of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable
     Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
     law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or
     insolvent, or the consent by it or such Restricted Subsidiary to the entry
     of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or such
     Restricted Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any
     applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
     similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or
     proceeding against it or such Restricted Subsidiary, or the filing by it or
     such Restricted Subsidiary of a petition or answer or consent seeking
     reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the
     consent by it or such Restricted Subsidiary to the filing of such petition
     or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver,
     liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of
     the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its
     or such Restricted Subsidiary's property, or the making by it or such
     Restricted Subsidiary of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the
     admission by it or such Restricted Subsidiary in writing of its or such
     Restricted Subsidiary's inability to pay its debts generally as they become
     due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or such Restricted
     Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action; or

            (7)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities
     of that series.

SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section
501(4) or another Event of Default under Section 501(7) which is common to all
Outstanding series of Securities) with respect to Securities of any series at
the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all
the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original
Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such
Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) to be due and payable
immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given
by Holders), and upon any such declaration such

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or another Event of Default
under Section 501(7) which is common to all Outstanding series of Securities
occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, the Trustee or the Holders of
not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities then
Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class), by a notice in writing to the
Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders) may declare the principal
amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such
portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all
the Securities then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately, and upon any
such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become
immediately due and payable.

     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

          (1)  the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
     sufficient to pay

                   (A)  all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,

                   (B)  the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any
          Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such
          declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or
          rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,

                   (C)  to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
          interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed
          therefor in such Securities, and

                   (D)  all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and
          the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
          the Trustee, its agents and counsel;

     and

          (2)  all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series,
     other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series
     which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been
     cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent
thereon.

SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

     The Company covenants that if

          (1)  default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security
     when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a
     period of 30 days, or

          (2)  default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium,
     if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that
payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue
principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates
prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection,
including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such
appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to
protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any
covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

     In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other
obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall
be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to
take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to
have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding.  In
particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or
other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the
same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator
or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized
by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to
pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

     No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities
or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however,
that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a
trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors' or
other similar committee.

SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may
be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the
Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any
such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as
trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision
for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of
the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been
recovered.

SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected.

     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium
or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the
payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

          FIRST:  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section
    607; and

          SECOND:  To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
     principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of
     which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably,
     without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due
     and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest,
     respectively.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          THIRD:  To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any
     other Person or Persons entitled thereto.

SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits.

     No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute
any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for
the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder,
unless

              (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee
     of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that
     series;

              (2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
     Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to
     the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in
     its own name as Trustee hereunder;

              (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
     indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
     compliance with such request;

              (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
     request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding;
     and

              (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
     given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority
     in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any
other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in
the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such
Holders.

SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and
Interest.

     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive
payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307)
interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such
Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall
not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

     If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any
right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued
or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or
to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in
such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored
severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter
all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though
no such proceeding had been instituted.

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section
306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to
the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every
right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in
addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

     No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to
exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any
such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an
acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to
the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often
as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may
be.

SECTION 512.  Control by Holders.

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of
such series, provided that

          (1)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or
     with this Indenture, and

          (2)  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
     Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults.

     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such
series and its consequences, except

a default

          (1)  in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on
     any Security of such series, or

          (2)  in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article
     Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of
     each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

     Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 514.  Undertaking for Costs.

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as Trustee, the court may in its discretion require the filing by any party
litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and such
court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in such suit,
having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by
such party litigant; provided, that the provisions of this Section 514 shall not
apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any
Holder or group of Holders holding in the aggregate more than 10 per centum in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, or to any suit instituted by any
Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any
Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security.
Neither this Section 514 nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to
authorize any court to require such an undertaking or such an assessment in any
proceeding instituted by the Company.

SECTION 515.  Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

     The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.


                                  ARTICLE SIX

                                  THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 601.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

     The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 602.  Notice of Defaults.

     If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the
Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such
default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided,
however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section
501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders
shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof.  For the
purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect
to Securities of such series.

SECTION 603.  Certain Rights of Trustee.

     Subject to the provisions of Section 601:

              (1)  the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
     refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
     instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
     bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
     document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented
     by the proper party or parties;

              (2)  any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
     shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and
     any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by
     a Board Resolution;

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
              (3)  whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee
     shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to
     taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless
     other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
     bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

              (4)  the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice
     of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
     authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
     omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

              (5)  the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
     the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
     direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such
     Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity
     against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it
     in compliance with such request or direction;

              (6)  the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
     the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
     instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
     bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
     document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry
     or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the
     Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it
     shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the
     Company, personally or by agent or attorney; and

              (7)  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder
     or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
     attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
     negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by
     it hereunder.

SECTION 604.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's
certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company,
and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility
for their correctness.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity
or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor
any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

SECTION 605.  May Hold Securities.

     The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security
Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security
Registrar or such other agent.

SECTION 606.  Money Held in Trust.

     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise
agreed with the Company.

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 607.  Compensation and Reimbursement.

     The Company agrees

                (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
     compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation
     shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation
     of a trustee of an express trust);

                (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse
     the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and
     advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision
     of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses
     and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense,
     disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad
     faith; and

                (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless
     against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad
     faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
     administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and
     expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection
     with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

SECTION 608.  Conflicting Interests.

     If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.  To the extent
permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting
interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to
Securities of more than one series.

SECTION 609.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

     There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for
Securities of one or more other series.  Each Trustee shall be a Person that is
eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.  If any such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section
and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and
surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time
the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this
Article.

SECTION 610.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

     No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor
Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of
appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable
requirements of Section 611.

     The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or
more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.  If the instrument
of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been
delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of
resignation, the resigning

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of
a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

     The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of
any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the
Company.

     If at any time:

              (1)   the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after
     written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a
     bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

              (2)   the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and
     shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by
     any such Holder, or

              (3)   the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
     adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
     property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or
     control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
     rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the
Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 514, any
Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all
Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

     If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or
if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to
the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall
promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities
of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may
be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series
and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the
Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable
requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal
or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series
delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so
appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance
with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the
successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect
to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or
the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any
Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least
six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition
any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of such series.

     The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the
Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of
Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice
shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities
of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 611.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

     In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to
all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the
Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money
held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

     In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to
the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring
Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more
series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each
successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such
provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to
vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the
retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which
the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee
is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as
shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue
to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the
provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall
constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such
Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from
any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon
the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided
therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series
to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those
series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

     Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any
and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to
such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the
first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.

     No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.

SECTION 612.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any, of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been
authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor
by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt
such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same
effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 613.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

     If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or
any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against
the Company (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 614.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

     The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to
one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of
the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue
and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or
pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to
the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all
purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is
made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the
Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be
deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be
acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof
or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating
Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and
subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such
Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then
for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such
Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

     An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate
the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such
appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities
of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any
successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder
shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the
provisions of this Section.

     The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee
shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions
of Section 607.

     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to
this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative
certificate of authentication in the following form:

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                                      _________________________,
                                                      As Trustee

                                                      By_______________________,
                                                         As Authenticating Agent


                                                      By________________________
                                                              Authorized Officer


                                 ARTICLE SEVEN

               HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 701.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

     The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

          (1)  semi-annually, not later than June 15 and December 15 in each
     year, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the
     names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of the
     preceding June 1 or December 1 as the case may be, and

          (2)  at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within
     30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of
     similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the
     time such list is furnished;

excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its
capacity as Security Registrar.

SECTION 702.  Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

     The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar.  The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

     The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to
their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding
rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust
Indenture Act.

     Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with
the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any
agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of
information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 703.  Reports by Trustee.

     The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee
and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
 

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
     A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any
Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company
will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

SECTION 704.  Reports by Company.
 
     The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to
Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries
thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and
in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such information,
documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within
15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.


                                 ARTICLE EIGHT

             CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

SECTION 801.  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

     The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to any Person, and the Company shall not permit any Person to consolidate with
or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless:

          (1)  in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another
     Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially
     as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or
     into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance
     or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company
     substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or
     other entity, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the
     United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and
     shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and
     delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and
     punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all
     the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this
     Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

          (2)  immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating
     any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any
     Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the
     Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of
     Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would
     become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

          (3)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such consolidation, merger,
     conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required
     in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply
     with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for
     relating to such transaction have been complied with; provided, however,
     that the delivery of an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel is
     not required with respect to any consolidation, merger, conveyance,
     transfer or lease involving the Company and any wholly-owned subsidiary of
     the Company.

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 802.  Successor Substituted.

     Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into,
any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and
assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section
801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company
is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed
to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the
Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person
had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a
lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants
under this Indenture and the Securities.

                                 ARTICLE NINE

                            SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

     Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board
Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into
one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee,
for any of the following purposes:

          (1)  to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and
     the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein
     and in the Securities; or

          (2)  to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
     Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be
     for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such
     covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such
     series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the
     Company; or

          (3)  to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the
     Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events
     of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities,
     stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included
     solely for the benefit of such series), provided, however, that in respect
     of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may
     provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be
     shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may
     provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the
     remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right
     of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those
     series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to
     waive such default; or

          (4)  to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to
     such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of
     Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal,
     and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the
     issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or

          (5)  to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this
     Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any
     such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any
     Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental
     indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the
     rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or
     (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security Outstanding;
     or

          (6)  to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of Section
     1008 or otherwise; or

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
          (7)  to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as
     permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or

          (8)  to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to
     certificated securities; or

          (9)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
     hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or
     more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture
     as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of
     the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements
     of Section 611; or

          (10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
     herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
     herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or
     questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant
     to this Clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders
     of Securities of any series; or

          (11) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such
     extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and
     discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 401, 1402 and
     1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the
     interests of the holders of Securities of such series or any other series
     of Securities; or

          (12) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company,
     or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation
     of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to
     Article Eight; or

          (13) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities
     exchange on which any of the Securities may be listed; or

          (14) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this
     Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance  with any
     amendments to the Trust Indenture Act, provided that such action does not
     adversely affect the rights or interests of any Holder of Securities.

SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.

     With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such
supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the
Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however,
that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Security affected thereby,

          (1)  change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any instalment
     of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal
     amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon
     the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an
     Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due
     and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof
     pursuant to Section 502, or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin
     or currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is
     payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
     such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of
     redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
          (2)  reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
     Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any
     such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required
     for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or
     certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this
     Indenture, or

          (3)  modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
     Section 1009, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that
     certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived
     without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected
     thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require
     the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to "the
     Trustee" and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1009, or the
     deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections
     611 and 901(9).

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant
or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this
Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

     It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

     In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee may, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

     Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

     Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 906.  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required
by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture.  If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE TEN

                                   COVENANTS

SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

     The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of
the Securities and this Indenture.

SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of
Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented
or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture
may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any
time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent
to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

     The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or
surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such
designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in
any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency
in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The
Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation
or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or
agency.

SECTION 1003.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

     If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect
to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series,
segregate to the extent required by law and hold in trust for the benefit of the
Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium
and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or
otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of
its action or failure so to act.

     Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of
Securities, it will provide to a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, such
sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying
Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action
or failure so to act.

     The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other
than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which
such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the
continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the
Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the
Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith
pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in
respect of the Securities of that series.

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
     The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company
Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by
the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the
same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such
Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such
Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
money.

     Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years
after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable may be paid
to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be
discharged from such trust; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying
Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of
the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English
language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation
in The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that,
after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the
date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining
will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 1004.  Statement by Officers as to Default.

     The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers'
Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof
the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms,
provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of
grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be
in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of
which they may have knowledge.

SECTION 1005.  Existence.

     Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence,
rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the
Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer
desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 1006.  Maintenance of Properties.

     The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its
business or the business of any Restricted Subsidiary to be maintained and kept
in adequate condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of
the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent (i) the Company from
discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such
discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of
its business or the business of any Restricted Subsidiary and not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders or (ii) the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary from selling or otherwise disposing of properties as
it deems desirable from time to time.

SECTION 1007.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

     The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before
the same shall become delinquent, (1) all material tax liabilities, assessments
and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the 

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company
or any Subsidiary, and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and
supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the
Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax,
assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

SECTION 1008.  Limitation on Liens.

     The Company will not, and it will not permit any Subsidiary to, create,
assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon any stock whether owned on the
date of this Indenture or hereafter acquired of any Restricted Subsidiary owned
by the Company or any Subsidiary to secure any Debt (other than the Securities)
of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Person without in any such case making
effective provision whereby all of the Outstanding Securities shall be directly
secured equally and ratably with such Debt.

SECTION 1009.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities
of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series,
omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition
set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(19), 901(2) or 901(7)
for the benefit of the Holders of such series or in any of Section 1008, if the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in
such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or
condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or
condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall
become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee
in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force
and effect.

                                ARTICLE ELEVEN

                           REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1101.  Applicability of Article.

     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity
shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in accordance with
this Article.

SECTION 1102.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

     The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by
a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301
for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of
less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption
affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to
the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be
satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the
principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable,
of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of
Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption
provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing
compliance with such restriction.

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 1103.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

     If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless
all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or
unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular
Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series
not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem
fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a
portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series, provided that
the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an
authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized
denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series
and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only
a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected
not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the
Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called
for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.

     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities
selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for
partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

     The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect
to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to
be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the
unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an
authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized
denomination) for such Security.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires,
all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the
case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion
of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

SECTION 1104.  Notice of Redemption.

     Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to
each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the
Security Register.

      All notices of redemption shall state:

          (1)  the Redemption Date,

          (2)  the Redemption Price,

          (3)  if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series
     consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the
     identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such
     Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be
     redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series
     consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of
     the particular Security to be redeemed,

          (4)  that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due
     and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that
     interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

          (5)  the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered
     for payment of the Redemption Price, and

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
          (6)  that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.

     Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable.

SECTION 1105.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

     Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or
with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent,
segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date
shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which
are to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION 1106.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to
be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any
such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall
be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest
to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is
on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the
close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.

     If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender
thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear
interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the
Security.

SECTION 1107.  Securities Redeemed in Part.

     Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a
Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due
endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service
charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of
any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal
amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of
the Security so surrendered.


                                ARTICLE TWELVE

                                 SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 1201.  Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for
the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of
any Securities is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment", and
any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such
Securities is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment". If
provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund
payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking
fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by
the terms of such Securities.

SECTION 1202.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

     The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than
any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities
of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company
pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted
optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each
case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect
to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of
such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such
Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been
previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and
credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified
in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the
sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced
accordingly.

SECTION 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

     Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any
Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such
Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to
Section 1202 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so
delivered. Not less than 45 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date,
the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund
payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the
redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company
in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the
redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner
stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.


                               ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                    REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDERS


     SECTION 1301.  Applicability of Article.

     Repayment of securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the
option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such
Securities and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

     SECTION 1302.  Repayment of Securities.

     Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the
option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of
such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the principal amount thereof,
together with interest and/or premium, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment
Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities.  The Company
covenants that on or before the Repayment Date it will deposit with the 

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money sufficient to pay the principal (or, if so provided by the terms of the
Securities of any series, a percentage of the principal) of, the premium, if
any, and (except if the Repayment Date shall be an Interest Payment Date)
accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be,
to be repaid on such date.

     SECTION 1303.  Exercise of Option.

     Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders
thereof will contain an "Option to Elect Repayment" form on the reverse of such
Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing
for such repayment, with the "Option to Elect Repayment" form on the reverse of
such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder's attorney duly
authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment
therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or
places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such
Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the
Repayment Date. If less than the entire principal amount of such Security is to
be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the principal amount of
such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for
Securities of such series, the premium, if any, to be paid, and the denomination
or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for
the portion of the principal amount of such Security surrendered that is not to
be repaid, must be specified. The principal amount of any Security providing for
repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if,
following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be
less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of
which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided
by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder
thereof and as provided in Sections 307(b) and 308, exercise of the repayment
option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

     SECTION 1304.  When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and
Payable.

     If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the
Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as
provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the
portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable
and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on
and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment
of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same
were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest.  Upon surrender of any such
Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, the principal amount
of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with
accrued interest and/or premium, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided,
however, that installments of interest, if any, whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon,
unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the
close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.

     If the principal amount of any Security surrendered for repayment shall not
be so repaid upon surrender thereof, such principal amount (together with
interest, if any, thereon accrued to such Repayment Date) shall, until paid,
bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest or Yield to
Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such
Security.

     SECTION 1305.  Securities Repaid in Part.

     Upon surrender of any Security which is to be repaid in part only, the
Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the
Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the
Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized
denomination specified by the Holder, 

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the
principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.


                               ARTICLE FOURTEEN

                      DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 1401.  Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1402 or
Section 1403 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case
may be, (unless designated pursuant to Section 301 as not being defeasible
pursuant to such Section 1402 or 1403), in accordance with any applicable
requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the
conditions set forth below in this Article.  Any such election shall be
evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated
by Section 301 for such Securities.

SECTION 1402.  Defeasance and Discharge.

     Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the
Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with
respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the
conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter called
"Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be
deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such
Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities
and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at
the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the
same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated
or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to
receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully
set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any
premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due, (2) the Company's
obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002
and 1003, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee
hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the
Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any
Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have
Section 1403 applied to such Securities.

SECTION 1403.  Covenant Defeasance.

     Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1)
the Company shall be released from its obligations under Section 801(3),
Sections 1006 through 1008, inclusive, and any covenants provided pursuant to
Section 301(19), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such
Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(4)
(with respect to any of Section 801(3), Sections 1006 through 1008, inclusive,
and any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(19), 901(2) or 901(7)),
and 501(7) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each
case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after
the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter
called "Covenant Defeasance").  For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means
that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and
shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set
forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of
Section 501(4)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference
elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such
Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the
remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 1404.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1402 or
Section 1403 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:

          (1)  The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
     deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the
     requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the
     provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for
     the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as
     security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such
     Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations
     which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect
     thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day
     before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a
     combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a
     nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
     written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
     discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other
     qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium
     and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in
     accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities.  As used
     herein, "U.S. Government Obligation" means (x) any security which is (i) a
     direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which
     the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or
     (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an
     agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of
     which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation
     by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not
     callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any
     depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the
     Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation
     which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the
     account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any
     specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government
     Obligation which is so specified and held, provided that (except as
     required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction
     from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any
     amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government
     Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by
     such depositary receipt.

          (2)  In the event of an election to have Section 1402 apply to any
     Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company
     shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A)
     the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
     Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this instrument, there
     has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case
     (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm
     that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for
     Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and
     discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be
     subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at
     the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and
     discharge were not to occur.

          (3)  In the event of an election to have Section 1403 apply to any
     Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company
     shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
     that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for
     Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant
     Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be
     subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at
     the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance
     were not to occur.

          (4)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
     Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other
     Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange,
     will be delisted as a result of such deposit.

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
          (5)  No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would
     become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other
     Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such
     deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 501(5) and
     (6), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit
     (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied
     until after such 90th day).

          (6)  Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the
     Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust
     Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of
     such Act).

          (7)  Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a
     breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement
     or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

          (8)  Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the
     trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within
     the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be
     registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder.

          (9)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
     Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
     precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been
     complied with.

SECTION 1405.  Acknowledgement of Discharge By Trustee.

     Subject to Section 1407 below and after the Company has delivered to the
Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that
all conditions precedent referred to in Section 1404, as the case may be,
relating to the defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have
been complied with, the Trustee upon request of the Company shall acknowledge in
writing the defeasance or the satisfaction and discharge, as the case may be, of
this Indenture and the discharge of the Company's obligations under this
Indenture.

SECTION 1406.  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in
Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with
the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and
Section 1406, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to
collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any
Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with
the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its
own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such
Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal
and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.

     The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.

     Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall
deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money
or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1404 with
respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm
of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount 

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or
Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.

SECTION 1407.  Reinstatement.

     If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any
order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining
or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this
Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or
released pursuant to Section 1402 or 1403 shall be revived and reinstated as
though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such
Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply
all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1405 with respect to such Securities
in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes
any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security
following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated
to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment
from the money so held in trust.

                                ARTICLE FIFTEEN

                   IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
                       OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES

SECTION 1501.  Exemption from Individual Liability.

     No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this
Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in
respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer,
director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any
successor corporation, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue
of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this
Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations
of the Company, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or
is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers,
directors, or employees, as such, of the Company or of any successor
corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby
authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements
contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom;
and that any and all such personal liability, either at common law or in equity
or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims
against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer, director or employee, as
such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or
by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this
Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly
waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution
of this Indenture and the issue of such Securities.

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
                               _________________

     This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                   BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION


                                   By: /s/ Patrick J. Ottensmeyer
                                      -----------------------------------------


Attest:

/s/ Jeffrey T. Williams
- -----------------------

                                   THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                                   By: /s/ Richard Manella
                                      -----------------------------------------


Attest:


/s/ J. Cahill
- -----------------------

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF ILLINOIS   )
                         ) ss.:
COUNTY OF COOK      )

     On the 8 day of Dec., 1995, before me personally came Jeffrey T. Williams
to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is Asst.
Secretary of BNSF Corp., one of the corporations described in and which executed
the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the
seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed
by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation; and that he signed
his name thereto by like authority.



                                    /s/ Lois M. Melkovitz
                                    ---------------------------
 


STATE OF ILLINOIS   )
                         ) ss.:
COUNTY OF COOK      )

     On the 5th day of December, 1995, before me personally came R.D. Manella,
to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is Vice
President of The First National Bank of Chicago, one of the corporations
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal
of said corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument;
that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said
instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the
Board of Directors of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by
like authority.


                                    /s/ Nilda Sierra
                                    ---------------------------

                                       55

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 5


                     [Letterhead of Mayer, Brown & Platt]

                               February 5, 1999
                      

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
2650 Lou Menk Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76131

             Re:   Registration Statement on Form S-3
                   $750,000,000 Principal Amount of Debt Securities
                   ------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   We have acted as counsel to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with an offering pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of
$750 million principal amount of the Company's debt securities (the "Debt
Securities") and the corporate proceedings (the "Corporate Proceedings") taken
and to be taken in connection therewith. The Debt Securities are to be issued
under an indenture (the "Indenture"), between the Company and The First National
Bank of Chicago, as trustee. We have also participated in the preparation and
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") relating to
the Debt Securities. In this connection, we have examined such corporate and
other records, instruments, certificates and documents as we considered
necessary to enable us to express this opinion.

   Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that, upon completion of the
Corporate Proceedings, the Debt Securities will have been duly authorized for
issuance and, when each series of Debt Securities is duly executed,
authenticated, issued and delivered, such series will constitute valid and
legally binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditor's rights
and to general equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or
in equity).

   We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the reference to us under the caption "Validity of Securities"
therein.
 
   We are admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois and we express no
opinions as to matters under or involving any laws other than the laws of the
State of Illinois, the federal laws of the United States of America and the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

                              Very truly yours,


                              Mayer, Brown & Platt

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12

                   Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
        Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                          (In millions, except ratio)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                          Nine Months Ended
                            September 30,                        Year Ended December 31,       
                           -------------------    --------------------------------------------------
Earnings:                    1998        1997     1997         1996     1995       1994     1993     
                            -----       ------    -----       -----     ----       -----    -----    
<S>                       <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>      <C> 
Pre-Tax income              1,380       $1,061     $1,404      $1,440    $ 334       $695     $ 521    
Add:                                                                                               
      Interest and fixed                                                                             
      charges, excluding                                                                             
      capitalized interest    264          255        344         301      220        155       145    
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
      Amortization of                                                                                
      capitalized interest      3            3          3           3        1         --        --    
                                                                                                     
      Portion of rent                                                                                
      under long-term                                                                                
      operating leases                                                                               
      representative of                                                                              
      an interest factor      144          139        183         179      129         98        92    
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
Deduct:                                                                                            
      Undistributed                                                                                  
      equity in earnings                                                                             
      of investments                                                                                 
      accounted for                                                                                  
      under the equity                                                                               
      method                  (12)          (8)       (17)         (5)     (27)        (4)       (3)   
                            ------      -------    ------      ------    -----       ----     ------   
                                                                                                     
      Total earnings                                                                                 
      available for fixed                                                                            
      charges               $1,779      $ 1,450    $1,917      $1,918    $ 657       $944     $ 755    
                            ======      =======    ======      ======    =====       ====     =====    
Fixed Charges:                                                                                     
    Interest expense and                                                                             
    fixed charges           $  276      $   268    $  362      $  314    $ 227       $157     $ 145    
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
    Portion of rent under                                                                            
    long-term operating                                                                              
    leases representative                                                                            
    of an interest factor      144          139       183         179      129         98        92    
                            ------      -------    ------      ------    -----       ----     -----    
    Total Fixed Charges     $  420      $   407    $  545      $  493    $ 356       $255     $ 237    
                            ======      =======    ======      ======    =====       ====     =====    
Ratio of Earnings to                                                                               
Fixed Charges                 4.24x(1)     3.56x     3.52x(2)    3.89x    1.85x(2)   3.70x     3.19x   
                            ======      =======    ======      ======    =====      ====      =====
</TABLE> 

- ---------------------------------------------
(1) Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 include a pre-tax gain
    of $67 million on the sale of substantially all of the Company's interest in
    Santa Fe Pacific Pipeline Partners, L.P. Excluding this gain, the ratio for
    the nine months ended September 30, 1998 would have been 4.08x.

(2) Earnings for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1995 include special
    charges of $90 million and $735 million (before tax), respectively.
    Excluding these charges, the ratios for 1997 and 1995 would have been 3.68x
    and 3.91x, respectively.

                                      59

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

   We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement

on Form S-3 of our report dated February 6, 1998, which appears on page 21 of
the Annual Report to Shareholders of

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, which is incorporated by reference in
Burlington Northern Santa Fe

Corporation's 1997 Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
We also consent to the incorporation by

reference of our report dated February 6, 1998 on the Financial Statement
Schedule, which appears on page F-1 of such

Annual Report on Form 10-K.  We also consent to the incorporation by reference
of our report dated February 15, 1996,

except as to the information presented in Note 8 for which the date is February
6, 1998, which appears on page F-2 of such

Annual Report on Form 10-K.  We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Fort Worth, Texas

February 8, 1999
       

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 25

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM T-1
                                   --------
 
                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                     UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

               CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)_____

                              ------------------

                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

A National Banking Association                            36-0899825
                                                          (I.R.S. employer
                                                          identification number)

One First National Plaza, Chicago, Illinois               60670-0126
(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

                      The First National Bank of Chicago
                     One First National Plaza, Suite 0286
                        Chicago, Illinois   60670-0286
            Attn: Lynn A. Goldstein, Law Department (312) 732-6919
           (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                              ------------------

                    Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
                                        
Delaware                                                  41-1804964
(State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                            identification number)

2650 Lou Menk Drive
Fort Worth, Texas                                         76131-2830
(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)


                                Debt Securities
                        (Title of Indenture Securities)

<PAGE>
 
Item 1.   General Information. Furnish the following
          information as to the trustee:



          (a) Name and address of each examining or
          supervising authority to which it is subject.



          Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.,
          Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
          Washington, D.C., The Board of Governors of
          the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C.



          (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise
          corporate trust powers.



          The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate
          trust powers.


Item 2.   Affiliations With the Obligor.  If the obligor
          is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each
          such affiliation.



          No such affiliation exists with the trustee.


 
Item 16.  List of exhibits.  List below all exhibits filed as a
          part of this Statement of Eligibility.


          1.  A copy of the articles of association of the
              trustee now in effect.*


          2.  A copy of the certificates of authority of the
              trustee to commence business.*


          3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to
              exercise corporate trust powers.*


          4.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*


          5.  Not Applicable.


          6.  The consent of the trustee required by
              Section 321(b) of the Act.


          7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the
              trustee published pursuant to law or the 
              requirements of its supervising or examining
              authority.
<PAGE>
 
          8.  Not Applicable.

          9.  Not Applicable.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national banking
association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago
and the State of Illinois, on this 5th day of February, 1999.



            The First National Bank of Chicago,
            Trustee


                /s/ Sandra L. Caruba
            By  Sandra L. Caruba
                Vice President




* Exhibit 1, 2, 3 and 4 are herein incorporated by reference to Exhibits
bearing identical numbers in Item 16 of the Form T-1 of The First National Bank
of Chicago, filed as Exhibit 25 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of U S
WEST Capital Funding, Inc., filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 6, 1998 (Registration No. 333-51907-01).
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT 6



                      THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                         BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT



                                                           February 5, 1999


Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

     In connection with the qualification of an indenture between Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Corporation and The First National Bank of Chicago, the
undersigned, in accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, hereby consents that the reports of examinations of the
undersigned, made by Federal or State authorities authorized to make such
examinations, may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and
Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.



                    Very truly yours,

                    The First National Bank of Chicago


                        /s/ Sandra L. Caruba
                    By  Sandra L. Caruba
                        Vice President
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT 7
<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>                                 <C>
Legal Title of Bank:     The First National Bank of Chicago  Call Date: 09/30/98  ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                 One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                      Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:        Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:    0/3/6/1/8
                         ---------
</TABLE>

Consolidated Report of Condition for Insured Commercial
and State-Chartered Savings Banks for September 30, 1998

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, report the amount outstanding of the last business day of the
quarter.

Schedule RC--Balance Sheet

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Dollar Amounts in thousands    C400
                                                                         RCFD        BIL MIL THOU     --------
                                                                         ----        ------------
<S>                                                                      <C>         <C>              <C>

ASSETS
1.  Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule
    RC-A):                                                               RCFD
                                                                         ----
    a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1)..........   0081          4,898,646         1.a
    b.  Interest-bearing balances(2)..................................   0071          4,612,143         1.b
2.  Securities
    a. Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A).....   1754                  0         2.a
    b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)...   1773          9,817,318         2.b
3.  Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
    resell............................................................   1350          6,071,229         3.
4.  Loans and lease financing receivables:
    a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule           RCFD
                                                                         ----
    RC-C).............................................................   2122         26,327,215         4.a
b.  LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses.........................   3123            412,850         4.b
c.  LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve.............................   3128                  0         4.c 
d.  Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and             RCFD
                                                                         ----
    reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)..............................   2125         25,914,365         4.d
5.  Trading assets (from Schedule RD-D)...............................   3545          6,924,064         5.
6.  Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)..........   2145            731,747         6.
7.  Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)......................   2150              6,424         7.
8.  Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated
    companies (from Schedule RC-M)....................................   2130            153,385         8.
9.  Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding......   2155            352,324         9.
10. Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)............................   2143            295,823         10.
11. Other assets (from Schedule RC-F).................................   2160          2,193,803         11.
12. Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)..........................   2170         61,971,271         12.
</TABLE>
- ------------------

(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>                                 <C>
Legal Title of Bank:     The First National Bank of Chicago  Call Date:  09/30/98 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                 One First National Plaza, Ste 0460  Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:        Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:    0/3/6/1/8
                         ---------
</TABLE>

Schedule RC-Continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Dollar Amounts in
                                                                                   Thousands
                                                                                   ---------
<S>                                                                     <C>          <C>           <C>
LIABILITIES
13. Deposits:
    a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C            RCON
                                                                        ----
       from Schedule RC-E, part 1)................................      2200         20,965,124    13.a
       (1) Noninterest-bearing(1).................................      6631          9,191,662    13.a1
       (2) Interest-bearing.......................................      6636         11,773,462    13.a2

    b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and         RCFN
                                                                        ----
       IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II).........................      2200         15,912,956    13.b
       (1) Noninterest bearing....................................      6631            475,182    13.b1
       (2) Interest-bearing.......................................      6636         15,437,774    13.b2
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase:                                                      RCFD 2800     4,245,925    14
15. a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury                         RCON 2840       359,381    15.a
    b. Trading Liabilities(from Sechedule RC-D)...................      RCFD 3548     5,614,049    15.b

16. Other borrowed money:                                               RCFD
                                                                        ----
    a. With original maturity of one year or less.................      2332          4,603,402    16.a
    b. With original  maturity of more than one year..............      A547            328,001    16.b
    c. With original maturity of more than three years ...........      A548            324,984    16.c

17. Not applicable
18. Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding.......      2920            352,324    18.
19. Subordinated notes and debentures.............................      3200          2,400,000    19.
20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)........................      2930          1,833,935    20.
21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)................      2948         56,940,081    21.
22. Not applicable
EQUITY CAPITAL
23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus.................      3838                  0    23.
24. Common stock..................................................      3230            200,858    24.
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)......      3839          3,192,857    25.
26. a. Undivided profits and capital reserves.....................      3632          1,614,511    26.a
    b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale
       securities.................................................      8434             27,815    26.b
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments...........      3284             (4,851)   27.
28. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27).............      3210          5,031,190    28.
29. Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity
    capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28).........................      3300         61,971,271    29.
</TABLE>

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
1. Indicate in the box at the right the number of the              
   statement below that best describes the most           
   comprehensive level of auditing work performed        
   for the bank by independent external auditors as            -------   Number
   of any date during 1996.......................  RCFD 6724   N/A       M.1.  
                                                               -------

1 = Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance with generally
    accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm which
    submits a report on the bank
2 = Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company conducted in
    accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public
    accounting firm which submits a report on the consolidated holding company
    (but not on the bank separately)
3 = Directors' examination of the bank conducted in accordance with generally
    accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm (may be
    required by state chartering authority)
4 = Directors' examination of the bank performed by other external auditors (may
    be required by state chartering authority)
5 = Review of the bank's financial statements by external auditors
6 = Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external auditors
7 = Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)
8 = No external audit work
- --------------------
(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
    deposits.




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