[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 201 (Monday, October 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 55917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27866]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-289 (Sub-No. 4X)]
The Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis--Discontinuance of
Service Exemption--in Clinton, Howard and Tipton Counties, IN
On September 29, 1998, The Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis
(CERA) 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.
10903-10905 1 to discontinue service over two segments of
railroad (the Kokomo Lines) owned by Norfolk and Western Railway
Company (NW) extending from milepost I-41.0 near Tipton to milepost I-
51.8 at Kokomo, and extending from milepost TS-183.7 at Kokomo to
milepost TS-206.44 at Frankfort, a total distance of approximately
33.54 miles in Clinton, Howard and Tipton Counties, IN. As part of the
exemption, CERA also seeks to discontinue incidental trackage rights
(used at various points for interchange only) over approximately 4.54
miles of NW's trackage between milepost TS-206.44 and milepost TS-
207.80 near Frankfort, between milepost I-39.76 and milepost I-41.0
near Tipton, and between milepost SP-209.28 and milepost SP-211.22 near
Tipton, in Clinton and Tipton Counties, IN.2 The Kokomo
lines traverse U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 46039, 46047, 46057,
46067, 46068, 46072, 46902, 46979 and 46995. The lines include the
stations of West Middleton, Russiaville, Forest, Michigantown, Tipton,
Jackson, Sharpsville, Fairfield and Marshall, IN.
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\1\ CERA seeks exemption from the offer of financial assistance
(OFA) subsidy provision of 49 U.S.C. 10904. This exemption request
will be addressed in the final decision. CERA also seeks exemption
from the public use provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905. However, because
this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an abandonment, trail
use/rail banking and public use conditions are not applicable.
\2\ CERA desires to terminate service because NW has terminated
its lease with CERA effective July 31, 1998. NW resumed providing
all rail service on the lines as of August 1, 1998.
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The lines do not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any
documentation in NW's possession will be made available promptly to
those requesting it.
The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the
conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen,
360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
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 January 15, 1999.
Unless an exemption is granted from the OFA provisions of 49 U.S.C.
10904, any OFA to subsidize continued rail service under 49 CFR
1152.27(b)(2) will be due no later than 10 days after service of a
decision granting the petition for exemption. Each OFA must be
accompanied by a $1,000 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
This proceeding is exempt from environmental reporting requirements
under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic reporting requirements under
1105.8(b).
All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No.
AB-289 (Sub-No. 4X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Karl Morell, Ball Janik, LLP, Suit
225, 1455 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.
Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment and
discontinuance procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public
Services at (202) 565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or
discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning
environmental issues may be directed to the Board's Section of
Environmental Analysis (SEA) at (202) 565-1545. [TDD for the hearing
impaired is available at (202) 565-1695.]
Board decisions and notices are available on our website at
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''
Decided: October 9, 1998.
By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-27866 Filed 10-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
