Steve Anderson
Terminal Superintendent
BNSF Rwy.
1313 W. 11^th Ave.
Vancouver WA 98660

February 6, 2002

Mr. Anderson,

On 02-03-02 there was only one yard job on duty at T-6 (329G) in the morning. Train VRICPTL4 01A arrived from Wishram with a setout at T-6. The crew was called by the yardmaster at T-6, and told that there was an engine in Storage 1, and they had to set out in Storage 1 and double to Storage 2. This transpired around 0814. At 0848, the crew arrived at T-6, and proceeded to make their setout. Upon entering T-6, they found their route lined in and out of Storage 1, with no engine present. That engine was now on TSO1.

The following are known facts:

• The switch crew was asked by the roving trainmaster if the lite engine was still in Storage. 1, and they were told yes.
• They did not move the engine.
• They were the only crew on duty there at that time.
• There was no herder.
• The trainmaster was in the mobile, and in constant communication with T-6
• After the yardmaster told the VRICPTL that an engine was in the way, the trainmaster called the T-6 yardmaster and told him to "call on the phone".
• There was approximately 34 minutes between the time the VRICPTL was told there was an engine in the way, and the arrival of the crew at T-6.
• The T-6 Yardmaster then announced on the radio that the engine had been moved.
• The trainmaster was no longer heard on the radio.

Mr. Anderson, although I have no visual proof that the roving trainmaster moved that engine, the facts speak for themselves. This committee finds the carrier's lack of respect for schedule rules and agreements to be disturbing, in light of the zeal for enforcement of operating rules and practices. This committee would like your office to conduct an investigation into these allegations, and inform me of the results when concluded.

Respectfully,

Richard E. Etienne