BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



In the Matter of the Petition of      )
)
AMTRAK     ) DOCKET NO. TR-000062
       )
for Exemption from Close Clearance Rule  ) ORDER GRANTING PETITION
)     FOR EXEMPTION FROM 
)    CLEARANCE RULES
) 
………………………………………………………)   

BACKGROUND

On January 1, 2000, AMTRAK filed a petition requesting an exemption from the 
height clearance rules in WAC 480-60-040 and the side clearance rules in WAC 
480-60-050 for spray arches on tracks at the King Street coach yard owned by 
The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company located in Seattle, 
Washington.  The spray arches are used to clean Amtrak trains.

DISCUSSION

Staff investigated this petition.  Spray arches have existed in this location 
for many years.  It appears that an exemption from side and height clearance 
rules was never granted for this installation.  Amtrak petitioned the 
commission for an exemption when it decided to replace the spray arches with a 
newer model.  The new spray arches are no more restrictive than the arches they 
will replace.  Railroad employees do not ride the sides of trains on the tracks 
where the spray arches are located.  Double stack trains are not operated on 
these tracks.  The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. does not object 
to the exemption.  There is no safety reason for enforcing clearance rules at 
the specified location so long as the railroad continues to mark the area with 
signs and include notice of lack of clearance in its timetable.   

  Staff recommends the petition be approved.


FINDINGS

 The Commissioners have reviewed the petition and have been fully advised in 
the matter.  They believe that granting the petition, subject to the conditions 
set forth below, is in the public interest, and direct the Secretary to issue 
the Order.

ORDER


 The Commission grants the petition of the railroad for an exemption from 
height and side clearance rules set forth in WAC 480-60-040 and 480-60-050 for 
spray arches installed at track 11 in the King Street coach yard located in 
Seattle, Washington and owned by The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway 
Co. on the following conditions:

 1.  Signs warning employees of the close side clearance must be maintained at 
the spray arches.

 2.  The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. timetable or 
Superintendent’s bulletin must include notice of the close side and height 
clearance.


Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 11th day of April, 2001.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION





CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary