[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6408-6409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3730]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or
Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the
Requirements of Title 49 CFR Part 236
Pursuant to Title 49 CFR Part 235 and 49 U.S.C. App. 26, the
following railroads have petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of the
signal system or relief from the requirements of 49 CFR Part 236 as
detailed below.
Block Signal Application (BS-AP)--No. 3380
Applicant: Twin Cities and Western Railroad Company, Mr. William F.
Drusch, President, 2925--12th Street East, Glencoe, Minnesota 55336
The Twin Cities and Western Railroad Company (TCW) seeks approval
of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the traffic control
signal system (TCS), on the single main track, between Glencoe,
Minnesota, milepost 466.9 and Tower E-14, near Hopkins, Minnesota,
milepost 435.0, a distance of approximately 32 miles, and operate
trains by track warrant control.
The reason given for the proposed changes is that the character of
the former Milwaukee Road trackage has changed substantially since the
installation of the TCS, with the present traffic density and 30 mph
maximum authorized speed, TCS is no longer required for safe operation.
BS-AP-No. 3381
Applicant: Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad, Mr. George
LaValley, General Manager, P.O. Box 10831416 Dodge Street, Room 1000,
Roseburg, Oregon 68179-0001
The Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad seeks approval of the
proposed discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal
system, on the single main track, between Ashland, Oregon, milepost
429.1 and Glendale, Oregon, milepost 510, on the Siskiyou Line, a
distance of approximately 81 miles.
The reason given for the proposed changes is that current traffic
and the maximum authorized speed of 25 mph do not justify continuation
of the automatic block signal system.
BS-AP--No. 3382
Applicant: Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad, Mr. George
LaValley, General Manager, P.O. Box 10831416 Dodge Street, Room 1000,
Roseburg, Oregon 68179-0001
The Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad seeks approval of the
proposed discontinuance and removal of the automatic block 4 signal
system, on the single main track, between Cornutt, Oregon, milepost
538.8 and Springfield Junction, Oregon, milepost 644.3, on the Siskiyou
Line, a distance of approximately 105.5 miles.
The reason given for the proposed changes is that current traffic
and the maximum authorized speed of 25 mph do not justify continuation
of the automatic block signal system.
BS-AP-No. 3383
Applicant: Consolidated Rail Corporation, Mr. J. F. Noffsinger,
Chief Engineer--C&S, 2001 Market Street, P.O. Box 41410, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19101-1410
Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail), seeks approval of the
proposed discontinuance and removal of the traffic control signal
system, on the single main track Carman Branch, between Conrail's
Chicago Line, ``CP-156'', milepost 0.0, near Carman, New York and
Conrail's Selkirk Branch, ``CP-SH'', milepost 3.7, near Schenectady,
New York, Albany Division. The proposed changes consist of the removal
of intermediate signals 18E and 18W, and redesignation of the track to
the Carman Running Track.
The reason given for the proposed changes is to retire facilities
no longer required for present operation.
BS-AP-No. 3384
Applicant: Montana Rail Link, Incorporated, Mr. Richard L. Keller,
Chief Engineer, P. O. Box 8779, Missoula, Montana 59807
The Montana Rail Link, Incorporated seeks approval of the proposed
modification of the traffic control signal system, on the single main
track,
[[Page 6409]]
between East Hope, milepost 102.7 and West Kootenai, milepost 118.04,
Idaho, on the Fourth Subdivision; consisting of the discontinuance and
removal of 10 automatic intermediate block signals and installation of
8 automatic intermediate block signals, associated with the
installation of electronic coded track circuits and pole line
elimination.
The reason given for the proposed changes is to upgrade the signal
system and improve train operations.
BS-AP-No. 3385
Applicant: Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad Company, Mr. Jeff
Forster, General Manager, 214 N. Railroad Street, Ahoskie, North
Carolina 27910
The Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad Company seeks approval of the
proposed discontinuance and removal of the interlocking signals at the
A & C Canal Draw Bridge, milepost 9.5, near Chesapeake, Virginia and at
the Pasquotank River Swing Bridge, milepost 41.5, near Camden, North
Carolina, replacing the absolute signals with stop signs.
The reason given for the proposed changes is that the railroad has
experienced much vandalism on a regular basis.
BS-AP-No. 3386
Applicants: CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. D. G. Orr, Chief
Engineer--Train Control, 500 Water Street (S/C J-350), Jacksonville,
Florida 32202
Soo Line Railroad Company, Mr. J. A. Inshaw, Chief Engineer, Soo
Line Building, Box 530, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
CSX Transportation, Incorporated and Soo Line Railroad Company
jointly seek approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the
automatic block signal system, on the single main track, between
Bedford, Indiana, milepost Q245.8 and Mitchell, Indiana, milepost
Q255.3, Louisville Division, Hoosier Subdivision. In addition the
proposed changes include conversion of ``Bedford Interlocking'' from
automatic to stop board operation, conversion of the power-operated
switch at milepost Q245.91 to hand operation, and govern train
operation under DTC Rules.
The reason given for the proposed changes is that traffic density
does not warrant retention of the signal system.
BS-AP-No. 3387
Applicants: Norfolk Southern Corporation, Mr. C. M. Golias, Chief
Engineer--S&E Engineering, Communication and Signal Department, 99
Spring Street, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303
CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. D. G. Orr, Chief Engineer--
Train Control, 500 Water Street (S/C J-350), Jacksonville, Florida
32202
The Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) and CSX Transportation,
Incorporated (CSX) jointly seek approval of the proposed reduction to
the traffic control system limits, on the Winding Gulf Branch secondary
track, Princeton Deepwater District, Pocahontas Division, near
Stotesbury, West Virginia; consisting of the relocation of controlled
holdout signal 66R from milepost WG-16.1 to milepost WG-12.2 and
installation of an approach distance signal at milepost WG-14.2.
The reason given for the proposed changes is to allow for control
of traffic interchange between CSX and NS at Helen siding.
Rules Standards & Instructions Application (RS&I-AP)--No. 1099
Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. L.A. Roach,
Director--Operating Practices/FRA, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 625, Omaha,
Nebraska 68179
The Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) seeks relief from the
requirements of Section 236.566 (49 CFR, 236.566) of the Rules,
Standard and Instructions to the extent that UP be permitted to operate
foreign or system, non-equipped automatic cab signal/automatic train
stop (ACS/ATS) locomotives, involved in detour movements, in UP ACS/ATS
territory as a result of derailments, natural disasters, etc., for a
period of up to seven days subject to train operations under provisions
of the General Code of Operating Rules, Rules 11.1 and 11.2, Absolute
Block, and notification of the FRA within 24 hours of the beginning of
each such movement.
Applicant's justification for relief: To permit continued
operations under such circumstances as natural disasters, derailments,
or extraordinary service interruptions, for a limited length of time,
without the need to obtain individual waivers or emergency provision,
outside normal business hours, while relieving workload on both the UP
and FRA in processing these repetitive waiver requests.
RS&I No. 1100
Applicant: Consolidated Rail Corporation, Mr. J. F. Noffsinger,
Chief Engineer--C&S, 2001 Market Street, P.O. Box 41410, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19101-1410
Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) seeks relief from the
requirements of the Rules, Standard and Instructions to the extent that
they be allowed to operate non-equipped locomotives in automatic cab
signal territory, on the two main tracks between ``Rochester''
Interlocking, milepost 25.9, near Rochester, Pennsylvania and ``CP
Alliance'', milepost 83.2, near Alliance, Ohio, on the Fort Wayne Line,
Pittsburgh Division, for the following operations:
1. Wire trains, work trains, wreck trains, and ballast cleaners to
and from work;
2. Engines and Rail diesel cars moving to and from shops; and
3. Engines used in switching and transfer service, with or without
cars, not exceeding 20 miles per hour.
Applicant's justification for relief: Exemptions are already
authorized for operation of non-equipped locomotives in cab signal
territory at other locations on Conrail, and this relief request would
be an extension of the already existing exemptions.
Any interested party desiring to protest the granting of an
application shall set forth specifically the grounds upon which the
protest is made, and contain a concise statement of the interest of the
protestant in the proceeding. The original and two copies of the
protest shall be filed with the Associate Administrator for Safety,
FRA, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 within 45
calendar days of the date of issuance of this notice. Additionally, one
copy of the protest shall be furnished to the applicant at the address
listed above.
FRA expects to be able to determine these matters without oral
hearing. However, if a specific request for an oral hearing is
accompanied by a showing that the party is unable to adequately present
his or her position by written statements, an application may be set
for public hearing.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on February 14, 1996.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program
Implementation.
[FR Doc. 96-3730 Filed 2-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P