2020-20085. Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System

Under part 235 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that on August 10, 2020, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2020-0071.

Applicant: Norfolk Southern Corporation, T.A. Phillips, Senior Director—C & S Operations, 1200 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Specifically, NS requests permission to discontinue the traffic control system (TCS) on the Wolf Creek (WC) Branch Line of the Pocahontas Division, from milepost (MP) WC 0.0 to MP WC 22.4.

This discontinuance will include control points (CP) at Pilgrim, Peter Cave, Pigeon Roost, McClure, Bluebird, and Pevler, and four automatic signals. A new operative approach signal will be placed at MP WC 1.4 in approach to the CP Wolf Creek. All slide fences within the application limits will be retired. The main track between MP WC 0.0 and WC 22.4 will be converted to NS Rule 171 operation. The signaled sidings within the application limits at CP Pilgrim, Peter Cave, Pigeon Roost, and McClure will be made non-controlled, other than main track.

NS states that train operations in this area no longer support the need for TCS. The Wolf Creek Line is being operated under NS Operating Rule 292, Rusty Rail.

A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov.

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 parties desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, 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:

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

Communications received by October 26, 2020 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable.

Anyone can 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 document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov,, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/​privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/​privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

Issued in Washington, DC.

John Karl Alexy,

Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.