[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9556-9557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4716]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Finance Docket No. 33715]
New England Central Railroad, Inc.--Modified Rail Certificate
On February 10, 1999, New England Central Railroad, Inc. (NECR),
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 a 14-mile rail line owned by the
State of Vermont.
The involved rail line was approved for abandonment by Montpelier
and Barre Railroad Company in Montpelier and Barre Railroad Company--
Entire Line Abandonment--From Graniteville to Montpelier Junction in
Washington County, VT, Docket No. AB-202 F (ICC served Mar. 12, 1980),
and acquired by the State of Vermont on November 21, 1980. The
Washington County Railroad Corporation (WACR) filed a notice for a
modified certificate of public convenience and necessity on November
17, 1980, and a modified rail certificate was issued to WACR
authorizing it to operate the line as of November 17, 1980.1
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\1\ See Washington County Railroad Corporation--Operations--From
Montpelier Junction to Graniteville, VT, Finance Docket No. 29536F
(ICC served Jan. 2, 1981).
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On February 2, 1999, WACR agreed to assign its lease of the line to
NECR. On February 9, 1999, NECR accepted the assignment, and NECR and
the State of Vermont agreed to cancel their lease. Also on February 9,
1999, NECR and the State of Vermont entered into an interim letter
agreement for the operation of the line. The term of the letter
agreement, unless modified, is 90 days. During that time, NECR and the
State of Vermont intend to negotiate and enter into a lease and
operating agreement that will govern future operations of the line by
NECR.
The line extends from Montpelier Junction to Graniteville, VT, and
[[Page 9557]]
connects at Montpelier Junction with NECR's main line extending from
East Alburg, VT, to New London, CT. NECR proposes to provide once a
week service over the line.
The rail segment qualifies for a modified certificate of public
convenience and necessity. See Common Carrier Status of States, State
Agencies and Instrumentalities and Political Subdivisions, Finance
Docket No. 28990F (ICC served July 16, 1981).
A subsidy is involved. The State of Vermont's Agency of
Transportation (VAOT) states that VAOT will waive rental payments on
the line for at least the first year of NECR's operation and will pay
NECR a subsidy of $105 per car for each revenue movement over the line
through March 1, 2000, up to 200 cars.2 There are no
preconditions for shippers to meet in order to receive rail service.
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\2\ VAOT states that it is authorized under 5 V.S.A. 3401-3409
to administer State-owned railroad properties and to take necessary
action to ensure continuity of service over such properties.
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This notice will 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: Association of American Railroads,
50 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001; and on the American Short Line
Railroad Association: American Short Line Railroad Association, 1120 G
Street, N.W., Suite 520, Washington, DC 20005.
Decided: February 19, 1999.
By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-4716 Filed 2-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
