Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
Division 758

Richard E. Etienne
Vancouver, WA
rick@etnsplace.com

 Mr. BJ Ryan
AVP, Locomotive Operations
BNSF Railway
2600 Lou Menk Drive
Ft. Worth TX 76131

October 7, 1999

Mr. Ryan,

On August 1, 1999 I wrote your office with a safety concern about locomotives operated on the BNSF system. To this date, I have had no reply. I would like to think either my letter to you was lost, or misplaced. I would not like to think that serious concerns about safety were being ignored on the BNSF property.

Enclosed, again is a copy of my original letter to your office, with documentation included concerning specific locomotives that have been reported as defective, and tracked by this committee. As you will see, there has been, on several occasions, omissions in the engine defect log concerning defects that have been reported to the mechanical desk.

Also, please note it is becoming the norm, rather than the exception, that contacts with the mechanical desk fails to occur. The phone number is almost never answered, and the radio call up usually has quite a wait for a response. I realize this desk is busy, but perhaps more manpower manning it would be an answer. I would not like to think safety is restrained by a budget. I also cannot fail to notice the mechanical desk fails to find a lack of an alertor installed on a locomotive a defect. I am sure your office would think any and all means of ensuring an alert crew would not be considered a waste of time or money.

Thank you for your office's involvement.

Respectfully,

Richard E. Etienne

Local Chairman
Div. 758