DOT REPORT #50- December, 1997 ================================================================= A compilation of rail notices published by the US Department of Transportation between December 16 - 31, 1997. Includes Surface Transportation Board abandonment, operation and control notices, FRA orders and related petitions. Condensed from original. ================================================================= CONTENTS: Trimax Holdings, Inc.--Corporate Family Transaction Exemption-- Allegheny Valley Railroad Company and Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad Company Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the Requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236 CSX Transportation, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Raleigh County, WV Connecticut Central Railroad Company, Inc.--Modified Rail Certificate CSX Transportation, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Raleigh County, WV; Norfolk and Western Railway Company--Discontinuance of Trackage Rights Exemption--in Raleigh County, WV Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief from the Requirements of Signal System Regulations City of Charlotte, North Carolina--Acquisition Exemption-- Certain Assets of the North Carolina Railroad Company Effingham Railroad Company, Operation Exemption--Line Owned by Total Quality Warehouse Illinois Railnet, Inc.; Acquisition and Operation Exemption--The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company North American Railnet, Inc.; Continuance in Control Exemption-- Illinois Railnet, Inc. Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc.; Trackage Rights Exemption-- Pittsburg &Shawmut Railroad, Inc. South Carolina Central Railroad Company, Inc., d/b/a Carolina Piedmont Division-- Abandonment Exemption--in Greenville County, SC ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 33413] Trimax Holdings, Inc.--Corporate Family Transaction Exemption-- Allegheny Valley Railroad Company and Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad Company Trimax Holdings, Inc. (TMH), a noncarrier holding company, has filed a verified notice of exemption for the acquisition of control through stock ownership of the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company (AVR) and the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad Company (SWP). (AVR and SWP are Class III common carriers by rail operating in the State of Pennsylvania.) TMH is wholly owned and controlled by Russell A. Peterson (Peterson), a noncarrier individual. Prior to the transaction covered by the exemption, AVR and SWP were commonly controlled through stock ownership by Peterson, Philip C. Larson (P. Larson) and Dennis E. Larson (D. Larson), also noncarrier individuals. TMH has acquired all of the outstanding stock of AVR that had previously been owned by P. Larson and D. Larson. (The stock of AVR is currently 50% owned by Peterson and 50% owned by TMH.) Following the issuance of stock to TMH by SWP's board of directors that is as anticipated to occur in the near future, TMH will own 92.69% of the stock of SWP. At that time, TMH would own 92.69% of the stock of SWP, Peterson would own 3.67%, and P. Larson and D. Larson would each own 1.82%. In addition, Peterson, P. Larson, and D. Larson commonly control the Camp Chase Industrial Railroad Corporation (CCIR), a Class III common carrier operating in the State of Ohio. No changes in the ownership of CCIR are planned at this time. The transaction was to be consummated on or after the December 8, 1997 effective date of the exemption. TMH's acquisition of control of AVR and SWP is intended to create operating and management efficiencies for these entities. This is a transaction within a corporate family of the type specifically exempted from prior review and approval under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(3). The parties state that the transaction will not result in changes in service levels, operational changes, or a change in the competitive balance with carriers outside the corporate family. Decided: December 9, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the Requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236 Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 235 and 49 U.S.C. App. 26, the following railroads have petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of the signal system or relief from the requirements of 49 CFR part 236 as detailed below. Block Signal Application (BS-AP)--No. 3438 Applicant: CSX Transportation, Incorporated CSX Transportation, Incorporated seeks approval of the proposed modification of the traffic control system, on the two main tracks, near East Garrett, Indiana, milepost BI-126.1, Garrett Subdivision, Chicago Service Lane, consisting of the discontinuance and removal of controlled signals A34E, B34E, C34E, A34W, and B34W, the discontinuance and removal of the power-operated right turnout on Main Track No. 1, and conversion of the power-operated crossover between Main Tracks No. 1 and 2 to electrically locked hand operation. The reason given for the proposed changes is the installation of a third main track. BS-AP-No. 3439 Applicants: SOO Line Railroad Company, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Wisconsin Central Limited The SOO Line Railroad Company (SOO), Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), and Wisconsin Central Limited, jointly seek approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the smash boards from the home signals, at Bald Eagle Interlocking, milepost 18.11, Bald Eagle, Minnesota, where the SOO single main track crosses at grade the BNSF single main track, on the SOO's Paynesville Subdivision, including installation of a FPC monitor. The reason given for the proposed changes is to reduce maintenance associated with smash boards. BS-AP-No. 3440 Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal system, on the single main track, between Wellton, milepost 770.8 and Arlington, milepost 861.6, Arizona, on the Gila Subdivision, Phoenix Line, former Southern Pacific Lines, a distance of approximately 91 miles. The proposed changes include removal of signals; switch point, and fouling protection; conversion of Signals 7719 and 8608 to inoperative D signals; conversion of Signals 40RA and 38RB at Wellington to red-lunar aspects; and conversion of Signal 8617 at Arlington to a lunar aspect. The reason given for the proposed changes is that this portion of the Phoenix Line has been shut down for a period of time and does not have any more rail traffic; the trackage will no longer be a main track, but will be used as a storage track. BS-AP-No. 3441 Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal system, on the single main track, between Port Chicago, milepost 40.9 and Tracy, milepost 78.7, California, on the Martinez Subdivision, Mococo Line, former Southern Pacific Lines, a distance of approximately 38 miles. The proposed changes include removal of signals, switch point, and fouling protection; conversion of Signal 433 to an operative D signal; conversion of Signal FA at Port Chicago to red-green aspect; and designation of the trackage to DTC operations. The reason given for the proposed changes is that this portion of the Mococo Line does not have rail traffic to warrant the signal system. BS-AP-No. 3442 Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the rail locks and associated power- operated switch machines, on the Barge Canal Bridge, milepost 216.1, near Bloomington, Texas, on the Brownsville Subdivision. The reason given for the proposed changes is to modernize the operation of the Barge Canal Bridge. BS-AP-No. 3443 Applicants: Arkansas and Missouri Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad Company The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad Company jointly seek approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the traffic control system on the single main track, from the Arkansas River Bridge, milepost 410.6 to North Fort Smith, Arkansas, milepost 412.1, First Subdivision. The proposed changes include the discontinuance and removal of the North Fort Smith Control Point and the three controlled signals, conversion of the power- operated switch to hand operation, installation of an approach signal near milepost 411.3, and conversion of the remotely controlled lift span bridge to local control utilizing radio signals to activate the automatic bridge lowering sequence. The reason given for the proposed changes is that the current traffic levels do not warrant the complexity, expense, and occasional delays of the existing CTC system controlled by the BNSF dispatcher in Ft. Worth, Texas. BS-AP-No. 3444 Applicant: CSX Transportation, Incorporated CSX Transportation, Incorporated seeks approval of the proposed modification of the signal system, on the single main track, near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Shenandoah Subdivision, Baltimore Service Lane, consisting of the replacement of Automatic Block Signal System Rules 243-247, between milepost BAD-1.0 and milepost BAD-0.0, with Yard Limit Rule 93, and conversion of the 5R automatic block signal to an inoperative approach signal. The reason given for the proposed changes is to enhance switching operations and increase efficiency. BS-AP-No. 3445 Applicant: Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad, Incorporated The Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad, Incorporated seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the traffic control and automatic block signal system, on the main tracks, between Ashford Junction, New York, milepost 43.3 and Riker, Pennsylvania, milepost 223.5, on the Main Line Subdivision, a distance of approximately 180.2 miles, consisting of the removal of all governing signals, 16 power- operated switches, and 3 electric switch locks within the above milepost limits. The reason given for the proposed changes is to retire facilities no longer required for present operation. Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 10, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 556X)] CSX Transportation, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Raleigh County, WV On December 1, 1997, CSX Transportation, Inc. filed with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon that portion of its C&O Business Unit, Jarrolds Valley Subdivision, between milepost CLP-15.3 at R.O. Junction and milepost CLP-18.3 at the end of track at Picard, a distance of 3.0 miles in Raleigh County, WV. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 25008 and 25044. By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by March 20, 1998. Decided: December 10, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 33515] Connecticut Central Railroad Company, Inc.--Modified Rail Certificate On November 14, 1997, Connecticut Central Railroad Company, Inc. (CCCL), a class III shortline railroad, filed a notice for a modified certificate of public convenience and necessity under 49 CFR 1150, Subpart C--Modified Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to operate approximately 4.0 miles of abandoned rail line between milepost 3.0 in Hartford, CT, and milepost 7.0 in Wethersfield, CT (the Wethersfield Secondary Track), owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (C-DOT). The involved rail line was abandoned by Boston and Maine Corporation pursuant to Board authorization granted in 1997. C-DOT acquired the rail line on October 28, 1997. Pursuant to a supplement to the agreement dated March 28, 1996, between C-DOT and CCCL, which is scheduled to terminate on May 17, 2017, operations over the 4-mile segment of the Wethersfield Secondary Track were scheduled to commence no sooner than November 17, 1997. The original notice of lease/operating agreement, dated June 24, 1987, governs CCCL's operations over other rail lines owned by C-DOT. The rail segment qualifies for a modified certificate of public convenience and necessity. No subsidy is involved. There may be preconditions for shippers to meet in order to receive rail service. CCCL indicates that in order for potential shippers to receive service, they may be required to enter into a contractual agreement with it, and may be subject to a special train charge as set forth in CCCL's tariff. The segment represents a connecting piece of trackage linking lines over which CCCL has already obtained a modified rail certificate. Northerly, the line will form a link with other CCCL-operated trackage, and will connect with Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) at Hartford, at or near milepost 2.6. Southerly, the line will connect with other CCCL-operated trackage and with a larger portion of CCCL's system. By this southerly connection, the line will enjoy interline connections already established by CCCL with the Providence and Worcester Railroad Company at Middlefield, CT, and with Conrail at Cedar Hill Yard in New Haven, CT. This notice must be served on the Association of American Railroads (Car Service Division) as agent for all railroads subscribing to the car-service and car-hire agreement and on the American Short Line Railroad Association. Decided: December 15, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 552X); STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 201X)] CSX Transportation, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Raleigh County, WV; Norfolk and Western Railway Company--Discontinuance of Trackage Rights Exemption--in Raleigh County, WV On December 3, 1997, CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), and Norfolk and Western Railway Company (N&W) filed with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 for CSXT to abandon and N&W to discontinue trackage rights over approximately 6.24 miles of line between milepost CAR-0.58 at Beckley Junction, WV, and milepost CAR-6.82 at the end of the track at Cranberry, WV, which traverses U.S. Postal Service ZIP Codes 25801, 25813, 25827, 25832, 25919, and 25920, in Raleigh County, WV. The line includes the stations of Beckley, located at milepost CAR-1, Sprague, located at milepost CAR-4, Skelton, located at milepost CAR-5, and Cranberry, located at milepost CAR-6. N&W is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway Company. By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by March 23, 1998. Decided: December 12, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief from the Requirements of Signal System Regulations Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 235 and 49 U.S.C. App. 26, the following railroads have petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of the signal system or relief from the requirements of 49 CFR Part 236 as detailed below. Block Signal Application (BS-AP)-No. 3446 Applicant: SOO Line Railroad Company, The SOO Line Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signals, on the single main track, between milepost 12.27 and milepost 16.55, near St. Paul, Minnesota, on the Paynesville Subdivision, consisting of the removal of signals No. 2 and No. 3. The reason given for the proposed changes is that the facilities are no longer needed for present operations and to reduce maintenance. BS-AP-No. 3447 Applicant: Central Kansas Railway, L.L.C., The Central Kansas Railway, L.L.C. seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal (ABS) system, on the single main track, between Bridgeport, Kansas, milepost 491.2 and Towner, Colorado, milepost 747.5. The reason given for the proposed changes is that the present train traffic in the area does not warrant the need for the ABS system, and the signal pole line is in fragile condition and will not survive the first ice storm of the season. BS-AP-No. 3448 Applicant: Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway seeks approval of the proposed modification of the traffic control system, on the No. 2 Main Track, between 30th Street and Bravo, milepost 2.2 and milepost 5.6, near Kansas City, Kansas, Fort Scott Subdivision, Kansas Division, consisting of the discontinuance and removal of automatic absolute signal 6RB, which is located on the elevator track and controlled by the switch position of the Electric Lock 7. The reason given for the proposed changes is to improve train operations in the area, and that the switch is electrically locked in CTC territory, and does not require a signal. BS-AP-No. 3449 Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the rail locks and associated power- operated switch machines, on the single main track Morley Bridge, milepost 95.0, near Morley, Louisiana, on the Alexandria Subdivision. The reason given for the proposed changes is to modernize the operation of the Morley Bridge. BS-AP-No. 3450 Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the rail locks and associated power- operated switch machines, on the single main track Melville Bridge, milepost 129.7, near Melville, Louisiana, on the Alexandria Subdivision. The reason given for the proposed changes is to modernize the operation of the Melville Bridge. BS-AP-No. 3451 Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the hand-operated electric rail locks, on the single main track Ouachita River Bridge, milepost 528.2, approximately 27 miles south of Monroe, Louisiana, on the Monroe Subdivision. The reason given for the proposed changes is to modernize the operation of the Ouachita River Bridge. BS-AP-No. 3452 Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the rail locks and associated power- operated switch machines, on the single main track Canal Bridge, milepost 6.2, near Port Allen, Louisiana, on the Avoyelles Branch. The reason given for the proposed changes is to modernize the operation of the Canal Bridge. BS-AP-No. 3453 Applicant: National Railroad Passenger Corporation The National Railroad Passenger Corporation seeks approval of the proposed conversion of a portion of ``R'' Interlocking, at Sunnyside Yard, milepost E3.7, Queens Borough, New York, on the Metropolitan Division of the Northeast Corridor, to a modern Yard Switching Center, with yard switches and route indicators to authorize non-passenger train movements to and from the yard. The proposed changes include reliable logic to protect against conflicting routes, yard switches locked for movements with non-vital logic, and route indicators which will not permit movements exceeding Restricted Speed. The reasons given for the proposed changes are that the original electro-pneumatic switches with mechanical locking bed at ``R'' Interlocking is 87 years old and in need of replacement, and maintenance of the interlocking in a yard area, where no train movements carry revenue passengers, can no longer be justified. Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 10, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 33529] City of Charlotte, North Carolina--Acquisition Exemption-- Certain Assets of the North Carolina Railroad Company The City of Charlotte, NC (the City), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR Part 1150, Subpart D--Exempt Transactions to acquire from the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) certain physical assets of an approximately 1.1-mile line of railroad (the Line) located between 2nd Street and 12th Street in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC. The City will purchase the Line from NCRR for the purpose of constructing and operating a passenger rail transit system. The City is acquiring the Line subject to a preexisting lease between NCRR and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS), whereby NS will provide all common carrier service on the Line. The lease was executed in 1895 by NCRR and Southern Railway Company (NS's predecessor). NCRR will retain an exclusive freight operating easement sufficient to accommodate both NS's continuing common carrier obligation and NCRR's own residual common carrier obligation. Consummation of the transaction is expected on or after December 18, 1997, the effective date of the exemption. The City simultaneously filed a motion to dismiss the notice of exemption. The Board will address the jurisdictional issue raised by the motion to dismiss in a subsequent decision. Decided: December 18, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 33528] Effingham Railroad Company, Operation Exemption--Line Owned by Total Quality Warehouse Effingham Railroad Company (ERRC), a Class III rail carrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to operate over approximately 9,201 feet of railroad line that will be constructed for and acquired by Total Quality Warehouse (TQW), located in an industrial park in Effingham, IL, connecting TQW's facility with the Illinois Central Railroad Company. ERRC states that it will also operate an additional 400 feet of track, within the industrial park, connecting its existing line of railroad with TQW's facility, as a side track, exempt from regulation pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10906. ERRC became a carrier pursuant to a notice of exemption (STB served Oct. 22, 1997), when it became the operator of approximately 206.05 feet of track, owned by the Agracel Corporation, which connects with a Consolidated Rail Corporation line and serves a facility in the Effingham industrial park. Construction of the track is expected to begin in January 1998, and ERRC will begin operations under agreement with TQW, as soon as construction is completed. On December 9, 1997, Joseph C. Szabo, on behalf of United Transportation Union-Illinois Legislative Board, filed a petition to stay the operation of the notice of exemption, as well as to reject the notice or to revoke the exemption. By decision served December 16, 1997, the petition for stay was denied. A subsequent decision will be issued by the Board on the request to reject or to revoke the exemption. Decided: December 19, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 33516] Illinois Railnet, Inc.; Acquisition and Operation Exemption--The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company Illinois Railnet, Inc. (IR), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to acquire from The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) and to operate approximately 56.67 miles of rail line between milepost 40.73, near Montgomery, and milepost 97.40, at Streator, in Kendall and LaSalle Counties, IL. In addition, IR will acquire for a 99-year period incidental overhead trackage rights from BNSF between milepost 40.73, near Montgomery, and milepost 33.4, near Eola, including operations over tracks 1, 2, and 3 in the Sheep Yard near milepost 40.0, in the vicinity of Montgomery and over all tracks in the Eola rail yard. On December 11, 1997, a petition to stay operation of the exemption filed by IR was filed by Joseph C. Szabo, on behalf of United Transportation Union-Illinois Legislative Board. The petition for stay was denied by the Board. The earliest the transaction could be consummated was December 9, 1997, the effective date of the exemption (7 days after the exemption was filed). This transaction is related to STB Finance Docket No. 33517, North American Railnet, Inc.--Continuance in Control Exemption--Illinois Railnet, Inc., wherein North American Railnet, Inc. has concurrently filed a verified notice to continue in control of IR upon its becoming a Class III rail carrier. Decided: December 16, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 33517] North American Railnet, Inc.; Continuance in Control Exemption-- Illinois Railnet, Inc. North American Railnet, Inc. (Railnet) has filed a notice of exemption to continue in control of the Illinois Railnet, Inc. (IR), upon IR's becoming a Class III railroad. The earliest the transaction could be consummated was December 9, 1997, the effective date of the exemption (7 days after the exemption was filed). This transaction is related to STB Finance Docket No. 33516, Illinois Railnet, Inc.--Acquisition and Operation Exemption--The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, wherein IR seeks to acquire and operate a rail line from The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway. Applicant controls one existing Class III railroad: Nebraska, Kansas, & Colorado Railnet, Inc., operating in the States of Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Applicant states that: (i) The rail lines to be operated by IR do not connect with any railroad in the corporate family; (ii) the transaction is not part of a series of anticipated transactions that would connect IR's lines with any railroad in the corporate family; and (iii) the transaction does not involve a Class I carrier. Therefore, the transaction is exempt from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323. See 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2). Decided: December 16, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 32940 (Sub-No. 1)] Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc.; Trackage Rights Exemption-- Pittsburg &Shawmut Railroad, Inc. Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad, Inc. (PSR), a Class III rail carrier, has agreed to grant overhead trackage rights to Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc. (BPRR), a Class II rail carrier, over approximately 7.4 miles of rail line in the State of Pennsylvania on PSR's Laurel Subdivision between milepost 60.0, near Falls Creek, and milepost 67.0, near East Dubois, together with approximately 2,200 feet of connecting track between PSR's Laurel Subdivision and BPRR's Wharton Subdivision (at approximately mileposts 3.3 and 3.4) (collectively, the subject lines). The trackage rights agreement filed in STB Finance Docket No. 32940 (Sub-No. 1) will amend the trackage rights agreement between the parties, dated May 2, 1996, to include these additional rights. The purpose of the trackage rights is to allow BPRR to shift traffic from a portion of its Wharton subdivision that is in need of rehabilitation to the subject lines that are in better condition, and to allow BPRR to continue to serve its local customers in a safe and more efficient manner. The transaction is scheduled to be consummated on or after December 22, 1997. Decided: December 22, 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB-312 (Sub-No. 2X)] South Carolina Central Railroad Company, Inc., d/b/a Carolina Piedmont Division-- Abandonment Exemption--in Greenville County, SC On December 12, 1997, South Carolina Central Railroad Company, Inc., d/b/a Carolina Piedmont Division (CPDR), filed with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon two segments of a line of railroad extending from: (1) railroad milepost AJK 585.34, in East Greenville, SC, to railroad milepost AJK 588.63 in Greenville, SC; and (2) railroad milepost 0.0 to railroad milepost 2.0 in Greenville, a total distance of 5.29 miles, in Greenville County, SC. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 29602 and 29607. CPDR has indicated that there are no stations on the line. By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by April 1, 1998. Decided: December 22, 1997. ================================================================== Comments or questions about this compilation should be directed to Paul Moore at 71367.1057@Compuserve.com. ==================================================================