[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 202 (Thursday, October 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 54258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26603]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Finance Docket No. 33125]


Connecticut Central Railroad Company, Inc.--Modified Rail 
Certificate

    On September 13, 1996, Connecticut Central Railroad Company, Inc. 
(CCCL), a class III shortline railroad, 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 approximately 7.49 miles of abandoned segments of rail line 
(the Wethersfield Secondary Track) owned by the Connecticut Department 
of Transportation (C-DOT).1 The segments are as follows: (1) 
between milepost 2.6 and milepost 3.0 at Hartford, CT; (2) between 
milepost 7.0 at Wethersfield, CT, and milepost 9.8 near Rocky Hill, CT; 
and (3) between milepost 9.8 and milepost 14.09 at Cromwell, CT.
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    \1\ By correspondence received October 1 and October 3, 1996, a 
representative of C-DOT indicates that the involved segments were 
acquired by C-DOT in separate transactions utilizing state funds and 
Federal LRSA funds.
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    The 0.4-mile segment between milepost 2.6 and milepost 3.0 was 
abandoned by Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) in 1987. Conrail 
Abandonment of the Wethersfield Industrial Track in Hartford County, 
CT, Docket No. AB-167 (Sub-No. 992N) (ICC served Mar. 6, 1987). C-DOT 
acquired this segment on May 5, 1987.
    The segment between milepost 7.0 and milepost 9.8 (2.8 miles) was 
formerly owned by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and then 
the Penn Central Transportation Company. The segment was not designated 
for transfer to Conrail, but was available for subsidy under section 
304 of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (3R Act). USRA-
Final System Plan-July 1975--Vol. II, page 122. C-DOT acquired this 
segment on October 28, 1981.
    The segment between milepost 9.8 and milepost 14.09 (4.29 miles) 
was acquired by C-DOT on May 4, 1983.2
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    \2\ The record indicates that this segment was already out of 
service and abandoned at the time of the USRA's review of lines to 
be included in the Conrail Final System Plan. Also, the 1973 edition 
of the Rand McNally Handy Railroad Atlas shows no track in existence 
at that time between Rocky Hill and Cromwell.
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    Pursuant to a first supplemental agreement dated March 28, 1996, 
between C-DOT and CCCL,3 operations were scheduled to commence no 
sooner than September 16, 1996, and scheduled to terminate on May 17, 
2017.
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    \3\ The original notice of lease/operating agreement, dated June 
24, 1987, governs CCCL's operations over other rail lines owned by 
C-DOT.
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    The rail segments qualify 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).
    No subsidy is involved. There may be preconditions for shippers to 
meet in order to receive rail service. CCCL indicates that in order for 
potential shippers to receive service, they may be required to enter 
into a contractual agreement with it, and may be subject to a special 
train charge as set forth in CCCL's tariff.
    The segment of line between milepost 2.6 and milepost 3.0 will 
connect with Conrail at Hartford. For the segments between milepost 7.0 
and milepost 14.09, CCCL currently maintains interline connections with 
the Providence and Worcester Railroad Company at Middlefield, CT, and 
with Conrail at Cedar Hill Yard in New Haven, CT.
    This notice must 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 St., NW., Washington, DC 20001; and on the American Short Line 
Railroad Association: American Short Line Railroad Association, 1120 G 
St., NW., Suite 520, Washington, DC 20005.

    Decided: October 10, 1996.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-26603 Filed 10-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P