2012-26819. Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System

In accordance with Part 235 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that by a document dated August 20, 2012, the Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2012-0073.

Applicant: Norfolk Southern Corporation, Mr. Brian Sykes, Chief Engineer C&S Engineering, 1200 Peachtree Street NE., Atlanta, GA 30309.

NS seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance of automatic signals within traffic control signal (TCS) territory and the installation of a cab signal system without wayside signals on the NS Port Road Branch from Perrysburg, MD, Milepost (MP) PD-0.3, to Enola, PA, MP EP-68.2. The discontinuance would include automatic signals: PD 1.9, PD 6.4, PD 9.7, PD 15.7, PD 18.7, PD 23.6, PD 28.8, PD 35.7, EP 35.2, EP 40.0, EP 42.4, EP 47.6, EP 49.5, EP 53.6, EP 54.0, EP 58.3, EP 62.8, EP 67.1.

The installation of cab signals without wayside signals will include “Block Clear” signals at all control points in the event of an onboard cab signal failure en route. The reasons given for the proposed changes are that the installation of cab signals without wayside signals will improve train operations and will facilitate the installation of Positive Train Control on the Port Road Branch.

A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request.

All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the appropriate docket number and may be submitted by any of the following methods:

• Web site: http://www.regulations.gov/​. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

Communications received by December 17, 2012 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered as far as practicable.

Anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78), or online at http://www.dot.gov/​privacy.html.

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 26, 2012.

Brenda Moscoso,

Director, Office of Safety Analysis.