Forty-six Burlington Northern and Santa Fe employees have decided to transfer to Topeka to work in the locomotive repair shops -- about 40 fewer than originally expected.

In February, BNSF announced it was transferring 89 union jobs and four salaried jobs out of Burlington, Iowa, as part of a consolidation of the heavy-duty locomotive repair work in Topeka. After negotiations with labor unions, BNSF said it was allowing some employees the opportunity to transfer to Galesburg, Ill.

BNSF spokesman Steve Forsberg said 29 Burlington employees decided to transfer to Galesburg, which is about a 50-minute drive from Burlington. "We never indicated that 100 percent of the employees would accept the opportunity to transfer (to Topeka)," Forsberg said. "Individuals make their choices based on what's best for their own families."

If there aren't enough employees to handle the workload in Topeka or Galesburg, BNSF may rehire some furloughed workers in Topeka, he said. "Many of the workers will begin reporting at their new locations as soon as next week, especially on the Galesburg end as there is no relocation involved," Forsberg said. "Topeka will see some delays as people move."

"Management will now evaluate whether these numbers are sufficient to handle the workload in Topeka and Galesburg," Forsberg said.

Forsberg said another five employees are on a leave of absence; two decided to retire; one is going to exercise seniority to bump a junior employee in the Burlington district; two selected a reserve board status, which means the individuals could be called to duty depending on demand; and three decided to take voluntary furlough status rather than transfer.

Doug Kinsinger, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, remained hopeful BNSF would hire additional employees to create 90 new jobs in the Topeka shops.

BNSF sales have been increasing in several segments of its business, Kinsinger said. "We think they have halted their shrinkage," Kinsinger said. "We think there is even more growth potential if we continue to work with their company."

BNSF has about 1,000 employees in Topeka and 4,800 in Kansas. The number of Topeka jobs is down significantly from 2,500 in 1995, when Burlington Northern merged with the Santa Fe Railway.

Matthew Rose, BNSF chairman, president and CEO, will be in Topeka on April 13 as Washburn University's eighth annual Oscar S. Stauffer Executive in Residence.