ICC/DOT REPORT #4 -January, 1996 =========================================================== A condensed version of Interstate Commerce Commission and Department of Transportation rail line decisions and notices published between January 16-31, 1996. =========================================================== The ICC Termination Act of 1995, which was enacted on December 29, 1995, and took effect on January 1, 1996, abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and transferred certain functions and proceedings to the Surface Transportation Board of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Future compilations of this report will be titled "DOT Report." CONTENTS: Canadian Pacific Limited--Abandonment Exemption--in Orleans County, VT Grand Trunk Western Railroad Inc.--Trackage Rights Exemption-- Consolidated Rail Corporation Environmental Impact Statement: Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia CSX Transportation, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--Chatham County, GA Environmental Impact Statement on the Logan 2000 People Mover, East Boston, MA Norfolk and Western Railway Company and The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Company; Trackage Rights Exemption; Consolidated Rail Corporation Ogeechee Railway Company; Discontinuance of Service Exemption-- Between Cochran and Hawkinsville, GA; Norfolk Southern Railway Company; Abandonment Exemption--Between Cochran and Hawkinsville, GA Georgia Southern and Florida Railway Company; Abandonment Exemption in Mitchell and Worth Counties, GA Illinois Central Railroad Company; Abandonment Exemption; in Cook County, IL Petition for Waivers of Compliance Naugatuck Railroad Company, Inc.; Operation Exemption; The State of Connecticut Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway Company, L.L.C.; Acquisition and Operation Exemption; Union Holding Corp. Missouri Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Muskogee County, OK Petition for Waivers of Compliance Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District--Purchase (Portion) Exemption--St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Pennsylvania Lines, Inc.-- Acquisition and Operation Exemption--Lines of Consolidated Rail Corporation Richard J. Corman--Continuance in Control Exemption--R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Pennsylvania Lines, Inc. Alamo Gulf Coast Railroad Company--Lease and Operation Exemption--Certain Lines of Southern Pacific Transportation Company Missouri Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption-- in Henry County, MO and Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad-- Discontinuance of Service Exemption--in Henry County, MO Union Pacific Railroad Company; Abandonment Exemption Maddens- Emmett Line in Canyon and Gem Counties, ID; Discontinuance Service Exemption--Maddens-Emmett Line in Canyon and Gem Counties, ID Union Pacific Railroad Company; Abandonment; Wallace Branch, ID Camp Lejeune Railroad Company; Lease Exemption; Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base to Jacksonville, NC ======================================================================= INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION [Docket No. AB-213 (Sub-No. 5X)] Canadian Pacific Limited--Abandonment Exemption--in Orleans County, VT ACTION: Notice of exemption. SUMMARY: The Commission, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10505, exempts Canadian Pacific Limited, operated as CP Rail System (CPRS), from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10903-04 to permit CPRS to abandon 4.05 miles of rail line, known as the Beebe Subdivision, from milepost 39.04 near Newport, VT, to the end of the line at milepost 34.99 near the U.S.-Canada Border. The exemption will be subject to standard employee protective conditions. DATES: Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) has been received, this exemption will be effective on February 15, 1996. Decided: December 28, 1995. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Finance Docket No. 32837] Grand Trunk Western Railroad Inc.--Trackage Rights Exemption-- Consolidated Rail Corporation Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) has agreed to grant an aggregate of 24.1 miles of additional trackage rights to Grand Trunk Western Railroad Inc. (GTW), as follows: (1) Approximately 7.6 miles of track between the Conrail/GTW connection at CP-Vinewood, Detroit, MI, and the Conrail/GTW connection at Mill Street, Ecorse, MI; (2) approximately 11.2 miles of track between the Conrail/GTW connection at Mill Street to the loop track owned by CSX Transportation, Inc., at Windsor, Ont.; and (3) approximately 5.3 miles from the Conrail/GTW connection at CP-Vinewood to the connection with the line of the Essex Terminal Railroad Company at Windsor. The transaction amends a prior trackage rights agreement dated April 29, 1985. Under the prior agreement, GTW already operates over Conrail's track generally between Conrail's property line at the Detroit River tunnel and the GTW connections at Mill Street, Ecorse, and Vinewood. GTW seeks to use Conrail's westerly wye and other track between the Conrail/GTW connection in Conrail's North Yard Branch at Vinewood and the connections with Conrail's Detroit Line at West Detroit to make progressive moves with its trains that handle Conrail traffic at the Conrail River Rouge Yard at River Rouge, MI. Under the agreement, GTW will obtain the right to operate trains, locomotives, cars, and equipment with its own crews. The purpose of the transaction is to improve service and facilitate the movement of traffic between Conrail and GTW. Also, it is intended to maintain and improve both railroads' economic viability. The trackage rights were scheduled to become effective on or about December 22, 1995. Decided: January 4, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration and Federal Railroad Administration Environmental Impact Statement: Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia ACTION: Notice of intent. SUMMARY: The FHWA and the FRA are issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed high speed rail improvement program between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 22, 1992, the U.S. Department of Transportation designated the existing rail corridor from Eugene, Oregon through Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada as a high-speed rail corridor pursuant to Section 1010 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) proposes to adopt a multi-phase program plan to develop high-speed intercity passenger service on the 366-mile segment of that corridor between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia, and to undertake specific improvements consistent with such a plan. FHWA and FRA, in cooperation with WSDOT, will prepare an EIS on WSDOT's proposal. The purpose of this EIS is to provide background for the decision whether or not to implement high-speed passenger rail service on the corridor. The EIS will also provide background for decisions related to possible future investment in passenger rail service related facilities in the corridor including identification of design levels of service (e.g. number, frequency, and speed of trains) and capital improvements needed to meet design levels of service. The existing rail facilities limit the addition of high speed passenger trains within the Pacific Northwest Passenger Rail Corridor. Passenger rail speeds are limited in the existing corridor by the steep and curvy topography of western Washington and the limited capacity of the existing rail line would create conflicts between slower freight trains and higher speed passenger trains that would adversely affect passenger and freight train scheduling. High speed passenger rail in the corridor would require additional or improved rail geometrics, trackage, side or passing tracks, and signal and train control systems. The proposed improvement program would resolve the existing constraints on dependable and timely passenger rail service between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia. Issued on: January 8, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 520X)] <SUP>1 CSX Transportation, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--Chatham County, GA CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) has filed a verified notice under 49 CFR Part 1152 Subpart F--Exempt Abandonments to abandon approximately 0.69 miles rail line between milepost SHB-511.66 and SHB- 512.35 in North Savannah, Hutchinson Island, Chatham County, GA. CSXT has certified that: (1) No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years; (2) any overhead traffic on the line can be rerouted over other lines; (3) there is no overhead traffic on the line; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the line (or by a State or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Board with any U.S. District Court or has been decided in complainant's favor within the last 2 years; and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental report), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic report), 49 CFR 1105.11 and 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to government agencies), and 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication) have been met. This exemption will be effective on February 17, 1996, unless stayed or a statement of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) is filed. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Decided: January 11, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Environmental Impact Statement on the Logan 2000 People Mover, East Boston, MA ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Massachusetts Port Authority (MPA) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to analyze options for improving the connection between the MBTA transit system and Logan International Airport in East Boston, Massachusetts in order to increase the use of high occupancy vehicles to Logan Airport. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed project consists of an analysis of alternatives to improve the connection between the MBTA transit system and Logan International Airport in East Boston, Massachusetts. The People Mover Alternative consists of fully automated electrically powered vehicles operating along a dedicated, elevated guideway system approximately 2.7 miles in length. The People Mover would replace the current shuttle bus service that connects passengers using public transit and Logan Airport terminals. The system will have the capacity to accommodate up to five times the existing number of airport passengers using the MBTA Airport Station. It will have fully climate controlled stations at the MBTA's Blue Line Airport station and the terminal stations, with potential service to the rental car area and the water shuttle in future phases of the project. The project study area will focus on Logan Airport property, but project impacts within the boundary of Route 128 will be also be evaluated. The People Mover Alternative would improve service and convenience for airport passengers, employees, and visitors accessing Logan via the MBTA and passengers traveling between terminals. The construction of the People Mover would complete the intermodal connection between the Boston region's mass transportation system and Logan Airport. The improved service and convenience afforded by this project is expected to support and facilitate increases in MBTA mode share and help contain or reduce environmental impacts associated with the anticipated growth in passenger levels at Logan in the years to come. It will provide improved on-airport circulation, better Blue Line station access, and a fast, frequent, reliable replacement for the fleets of shuttle buses that now add to the congestion on airport roads and at terminal curbs. Construction of the People Mover will result in fewer passenger vehicle trips, fewer vehicle miles traveled, lower diesel emissions, less roadway and curbside congestion, and more roadway capacity for other high occupancy modes. It is also expected to decrease regional air quality impacts and congestion associated with passenger and employee trips to Logan. The alternatives proposed for evaluation include: (1) a Transportation Systems Management (TSM)/No-Build alternative, which involves additional buses and conversion of the fleet to clean fuels without construction of a People Mover; (2) construction of a People Mover Terminal Alignment system and refinements to the Terminal Alignment system, including stops at the MBTA Blue Line Airport Station and each of the airport terminal stations; and (3) consideration of a Blue Line Extension to the airport, which would bring MBTA Blue Line transit service directly onto airport property. Issued on: January 17, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Finance Docket No. 32843] Norfolk and Western Railway Company and The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Company; Trackage Rights Exemption; Consolidated Rail Corporation Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) has agreed to grant overhead trackage rights to Norfolk and Western Railway Company and The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Company (collectively, NS), over the following trackage: (1) Approximately 6.1 miles between Bannon, milepost 137.6 at South Columbus, and CP-Camp, milepost 131.5 at Columbus, OH; (2) approximately 0.6 miles between CP- Camp, milepost 131.5, and the Auburn Switch, milepost 139.7 at Columbus, OH; and (3) approximately 115.3 miles between the Auburn Switch, milepost 139.7, and milepost 255.0 at Cincinnati, OH. Overhead trackage rights also are granted by Conrail to NS over a secondary route in and around Columbus, OH, as follows: (1) Approximately 5.2 miles between CP-Camp, milepost 131.5, and CP-Mounds, milepost 126.3 at Columbus, OH, and (2) approximately 5.9 miles between CP-Mounds and W. Alton, milepost 146.0 at Columbus, OH. The total trackage rights over both routes is 133.1 miles. The purpose of this transaction is to provide NS with a more efficient route for traffic moving between or through Cincinnati and Columbus, OH. The trackage rights were to become effective on or after December 29, 1995. Decided: January 17, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket Nos. AB-450 (Sub-No. 1X) and AB-290 (Sub-No. 141X)] Ogeechee Railway Company; Discontinuance of Service Exemption-- Between Cochran and Hawkinsville, GA; Norfolk Southern Railway Company; Abandonment Exemption--Between Cochran and Hawkinsville, GA Ogeechee Railway Company (Ogeechee) and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) have filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR Part 1152 Subpart F--Exempt Abandonments and Discontinuances for Ogeechee to discontinue service over and NS to abandon 9.53 miles of rail line between milepost L-0.0 at Cochran and milepost L-9.53 at Hawkinsville, in Bleckley and Pulaski Counties, GA. Ogeechee and NS certify that: (1) No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years; (2) any overhead traffic can be rerouted over other lines; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the line (or by a State or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Board or with any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of the complainant within the 2-year period; and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental reports), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic reports), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication), and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) has been received, this exemption will be effective on February 23, 1996, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Decided: January 17, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 178X)] Georgia Southern and Florida Railway Company; Abandonment Exemption in Mitchell and Worth Counties, GA Georgia Southern and Florida Railway Company (GS&F) has filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR part 1152 Subpart F--Exempt Abandonments to abandon an 18-mile rail line extending between milepost GS-75.0 at Bridgeboro and milepost GS-93.0 at Camilla, in Mitchell and Worth Counties, GA. GS&F has certified that: (1) No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years; (2) overhead traffic can be rerouted over other lines; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on this line (or a state or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Board or any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of the complainant within the 2-year period; and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental report), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic report), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication), and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) has been received, this exemption will be effective on February 23, 1996, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or other trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Decided: January 18, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. AB-43 (Sub-No. 161X)] Illinois Central Railroad Company; Abandonment Exemption; in Cook County, IL Illinois Central Railroad Company (IC) has filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR Part 1152 Subpart F--Exempt Abandonments to abandon its 0.4-mile line of railroad between milepost CI-7.8 and milepost CI-8.2 in McCook, in Cook County, IL. IC has certified that: (1) No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years; (2) there is no overhead traffic on the line; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the line (or by a state or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Board or with any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of the complainant within the 2-year period; and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7 (service of environmental report on agencies), 49 CFR 1105.8 (service of historic report on State Historic Preservation Officer), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication), and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (service of verified notice on governmental agencies) have been met. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) has been received, this exemption will be effective on February 23, 1996, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Decided: January 18, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Petition for Waivers of Compliance In accordance with 49 CFR 211.9 and 211.41, notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received a request for waivers of compliance with certain requirements of the Federal safety laws and regulations. The petition is described below, including the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the relief being requested and the petitioner's arguments in favor of relief. Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRA) According to SCRA, because of increasing ridership, the failure of a contractor to produce commuter cars for Caltran and a 15 to 20 month lead time to procure new cars, SCRA has arranged to lease up to 14 bi- level passenger cars from GO Transit of Toronto, Ontario. SCRA presently owns and operates 94 bi-level cars over Metrolink, a regional rail network which links downtown Los Angeles, California, and surrounding counties. The GO Transit cars being leased are nearly identical to the 94 cars already owned by SCRA. The term of the lease is projected to extend over an 18 month period (January 1996 through July 1997). SCRA states it intends to use GO Transit cars in concert with SCRA control cars to ensure American Disability Act (ADA) compliance. SCRA seeks waivers of compliance from certain sections of the FRA regulations, including Railroad Safety Appliance Standards (49 CFR Part 231) and Safety Glazing Standards (49 CFR Part 223) for the GO Transit passenger cars. Issued in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Finance Docket No. 32793] Naugatuck Railroad Company, Inc.; Operation Exemption; The State of Connecticut Naugatuck Railroad Company, Inc. (NAUG), has filed a notice of exemption to operate 19.6 miles of rail line owned by the State of Connecticut (Connecticut) from Waterbury, CT, at NAUG milepost 0.0, an interchange point with Springfield Terminal Railway Company (ST), to Torrington, CT, at NAUG milepost 19.6, the end of the track. NAUG will replace ST, which has been operating the line, and will become a class III rail carrier. The parties expected to consummate the proposed transaction on December 29, 1995, the effective date of the exemption. Decided: January 19, 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Finance Docket No. 32850] Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway Company, L.L.C.; Acquisition and Operation Exemption; Union Holding Corp. Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway Company, L.L.C., a noncarrier, has filed a notice of exemption to acquire from Union Holding Corp., formerly Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway Company, and operate approximately 13 miles of rail line from milepost 0.0 at Tulsa to the end of the line at milepost 10.0 at Sapulpa, in Tulsa and Creek Counties, OK. The parties stated that they expected to consummate the transaction on or about December 29, 1995. Pursuant to 49 CFR 1150.32(b), this transaction could not actually be consummated until effectiveness of the exemption on January 2, 1996--7 days after the filing date of the notice. Decided: January 19, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. AB-3 (Sub-No. 127X)] Missouri Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Muskogee County, OK Missouri Pacific Railroad Company (MPRR) has filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR Part 1152 Subpart F--Exempt Abandonments to abandon a portion of the former Oklahoma Subdivision near Muskogee from milepost 128.6 to the end of the line at milepost 129.5, a distance of approximately 0.9-mile in Muskogee County, OK. MPRR has certified that: (1) No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years; (2) there is no overhead traffic on the line; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the line (or by a State or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Board or with any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of the complainant within the 2-year period; and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental reports), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic reports), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication), and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) has been received, this exemption will be effective on February 24, 1996, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Decided: January 19, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Petition for Waivers of Compliance In accordance with 49 CFR Sections 211.9, 211.41 and 211.45, notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received a request for a waiver of compliance with certain requirements of the Federal safety laws and regulations. The individual petitions are described below, including the party seeking relief, the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the relief being requested and the petitioner's arguments in favor of relief. Renfe Talgo of America, Incorporated FRA Docket Numbers RSGM-94-2 and SA-94-1 Renfe Talgo of America, Incorporated (RTOA) petitioned the FRA to permit the operation of a second TALGO Pendular Train (TALGO) trainset expected to arrive at the Port of Baltimore on or about January 28, 1996. The trainset is similar to the one presently operating in the State of Washington under conditional waivers. The original request was for waivers of compliance with certain provisions of the Railroad Safety Glazing Standards (49 CFR Part 223) and Railroad Safety Appliance Standards (49 CFR Part 231. RTOA requested that the conditional waiver granted the first Talgo trainset be extended to include the second train set. RTOA was granted the original waivers in order to permit operation of a TALGO train under two conditions. It was intended that the train would be operated (1) in non-revenue demonstration runs and (2) in revenue service as part of a regularly scheduled service operated by National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) in the Pacific Northwest High Speed Rail Corridor. The first TALGO train completed demonstration runs between a number of city pairs and is currently in revenue service under contract to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The second TALGO trainset will be comprised of 15 Pendular cars, which would include two service cars, one sleeper car, one dining car, one cafeteria car and ten coaches. It is similar to the trainset currently in service in Washington State. According to RTOA and Amtrak West Business Unit, the TALGO train will be moved directly from Baltimore to Oakland, California. RTOA and Amtrak West are cooperating in evaluating existing and potential emerging rail corridors. Amtrak suggested the following tentative list of city pairs for both revenue service and demonstration runs for the TALGO train: Oakland, California to Reno, Nevada (non-revenue) Oakland to Bakersfield, California (revenue) Altamount Pass (non-revenue) Los Angeles, California to Las Vegas, Nevada (revenue special) Los Angeles/San Diego, California to Santa Barbara, California (revenue) Los Angeles to San Francisco, California (revenue) RTOA says that after the revenue and demonstration runs are completed, it is their intention to have this second TALGO train operate in the Pacific Northwest. If TALGO is the successful bidder to provide two trainsets to the State of Washington, the two trainsets would be leased to WSDOT for an interim period which would terminate upon delivery of the two trainsets manufactured to WSDOT specification. Issued in Washington, D.C. on January 22, 1995. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Finance Docket No. 32841] Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District--Purchase (Portion) Exemption--St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District (NETEX), a political subdivision of the State of Texas, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR Part 1150, Subpart D--Exempt Transaction to: (1) Acquire and operate 31.0-miles of rail line from St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company (SSW) from milepost 524.0 to milepost 555.0 in Hopkins, Delta, and Hunt Counties, TX; and (2) to obtain trackage rights from milepost 524.0 to milepost 517.0 a distance of 7 miles, in the vicinity of Sulphur Springs, TX. NETEX was expected to consummate the transaction on December 15, 1995. Decided: January 19, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Finance Docket No. 32838] R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Pennsylvania Lines, Inc.-- Acquisition and Operation Exemption--Lines of Consolidated Rail Corporation R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Pennsylvania Lines. Inc. (RJCP), a non-carrier, has filed a verified notice under 49 CFR Part 1150, Subpart D--Exempt Transactions to acquire and operate approximately 230.4 miles of rail lines of Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) known as the ``Clearfield Cluster'' in Centre, Clinton, Clearfield, Jefferson, Indiana and Cambria Counties, PA. RJCP also will acquire by assignment from Conrail incidental trackage rights over approximately 7.8 miles of rail lines between Clearfield and Curwensville, PA, owned by the Clearfield and Mahoning Railway Company. The transaction was to have been consummated on December 29, 1995. Decided: January 23, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Finance Docket No. 32839] Richard J. Corman--Continuance in Control Exemption--R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Pennsylvania Lines, Inc. Richard J. Corman (Corman), a non-carrier, has filed a verified notice under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2) to continue in control of R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Pennsylvania Lines, Inc. (RJCP) on RJCP's becoming a carrier. RJCP, a new entity within the R.J. Corman family, was created to acquire from Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) approximately 238.2 miles of rail lines and trackage rights known as the ``Clearfield Cluster'' in Centre, Clinton, Clearfield, Jefferson, Indiana and Cambria Counties, PA. The transaction was to have been consummated on December 29, 1995. The transaction is exempt from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11343 because: (1) the properties of RJCP will not connect with any other railroad in the R.J. Corman corporate family; (2) the continuance in control is not part of a series of anticipated transactions that would connect RJCP with any other railroad in the R.J. Corman corporate family; and (3) the transaction does not involve a class I carrier. Decided: January 23, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Finance Docket No. 32855] Alamo Gulf Coast Railroad Company--Lease and Operation Exemption--Certain Lines of Southern Pacific Transportation Company Alamo Gulf Coast Railroad Company (AGCRC) has filed a notice of exemption to acquire by lease and to operate 5 miles of rail line owned by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company (SPT) from milepost 252 to milepost 257, near Beckmann Station, in Bexar County, TX. The proposed transaction is to be consummated on the date of final agreement of the parties, or on the effective date of the notice, whichever occurs later. Under 49 CFR 1150.32(b), the notice of exemption is effective 7 days after it is filed. The notice was filed on December 29, 1995. Decided: January 23, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. AB-3 (Sub-No. 128X)]; [Docket No. AB-456 (Sub-No. 1X)] Missouri Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption-- in Henry County, MO and Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad-- Discontinuance of Service Exemption--in Henry County, MO Missouri Pacific Railroad Company (MP) and Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad (MNA) have filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1152 Subpart F--Exempt Abandonments and Discontinuances for MP to abandon and MNA to discontinue service over a segment of MP's Clinton Branch line (known as the FPE Spur-Clinton line) extending between milepost 262.6 at the end of the line near FPE Spur and milepost 267.0 near Clinton, a distance of approximately 4.4 miles in Henry County, MO. MP and MNA certify that: (1) No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years; (2) there is no overhead traffic; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on this line (or a state or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Board or any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of the complainant within the 2-year period; and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental report), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic report), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication), and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) has been received, this exemption will be effective on February 25, 1996, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or other trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Decided: January 22, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Dockets No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 95X) and Idaho Northern & Pacific Railroad Company] Union Pacific Railroad Company; Abandonment Exemption Maddens- Emmett Line in Canyon and Gem Counties, ID; AB-433 (Sub-No. 3X] Discontinuance Service Exemption--Maddens-Emmett Line in Canyon and Gem Counties, ID Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) and Idaho Northern & Pacific Railroad Company (INPR) have filed a verified notice under 49 CFR Part 1152 Subpart F--Exempt Abandonments and Discontinuances for UPRR to abandon and INPR to discontinue service over 17.5 miles of rail line (a portion of the Idaho Northern Branch), between milepost 7.0 at or near Maddens and milepost 24.5 at or near Emmett, in Canyon and Gem Counties, ID. UPRR and INPR certify that: (1) No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years; (2) any overhead traffic on the line can be rerouted; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the line (or by a State or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Board or with any U.S. District Court or has been decided in complainant's favor within the last 2 years; and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental reports), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic reports), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication) and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Decided: January 24, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board. [Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 70)] Union Pacific Railroad Company; Abandonment; Wallace Branch, ID ACTION: Extension of Comment Filing Period. SUMMARY: The Rails to Trails Conservancy seeks the immediate issuance of a certificate of interim trail use under section 8(d) of the National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. 1247(d), for a 71.5-mile rail line of Union Pacific Railroad Company between milepost 16.5, near Plummer, and milepost 7.6, near Mullan, via milepost 80.4/0.0 near Wallace, in Benewah, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties, ID. The ICC issued a notice on December 29, 1995 (60 FR 67364) to request comments from all interested parties, agencies, and members of the public as to whether there is any impediment to the issuance of Trails Act authority in the unusual circumstances of this case. Comments were due on January 29, 1996. The Environmental Enforcement Division of the United States Department of Justice, on behalf of the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, requests a 60-day extension of the comment period to March 29, 1996, to allow comment on behalf of all Federal environmental concerns. The Board will extend the comment period for 45 days. Decided: January 25, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 32849] Camp Lejeune Railroad Company; Lease Exemption; Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base to Jacksonville, NC Camp Lejeune Railroad Company (CLRC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway Company, has filed a notice of exemption to renew a lease from the United States of America, Department of Navy (Government), of a 5.6-mile railroad line between milepost 2.5 at the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, and milepost 8.1 at Jacksonville, Onslow County, NC. CLRC has operated and leased the rail line from the Government under a lease originally authorized by the ICC in 1984. The lease expired on August 31, 1994. The parties have agreed to review and extend the lease until August 31, 1999. Decided: January 25, 1996.