[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66741-66742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31920]


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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 Title 49 CFR Part 236 
as detailed below.
Block Signal Application (BS-AP)-No. 3410
Applicant: CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. E.G. Peterson, P.E.,

[[Page 66742]]

General Manager Signal Engineering, 500 Water Street (S/C J-370), 
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

    CSX Transportation, Incorporated (CSXT) seeks approval of the 
discontinuance and removal of Viaduct Junction Interlocking, milepost 
BA-178.9, Cumberland, Maryland, involving main tracks of the Cumberland 
and Cumberland Coal Business Unit Divisions, Cumberland Terminal, 
Keystone, and Mountain Subdivisions, associated with permanent track 
and signal system arrangement revisions, installation of a traffic 
control signal system, and implementation of a Direct Traffic Control 
Block System (DTC) to govern train movements during construction and 
testing of changes. CSXT has implemented temporary DTC operations, as 
construction is underway and completion of the project is expected in 
November 1996, unless delayed by unforeseen circumstances.
    The reasons given for the proposed changes are to improve train 
operations, replace the obsolete track arrangement, and eliminate the 
mechanical interlocking.
BS-AP-No. 3411
Applicant: CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. E. G. Peterson, P.E., 
General Manager Signal Engineering, 500 Water Street (S/C J-370), 
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

    CSX Transportation, Incorporated (CSXT) seeks approval of the 
discontinuance and removal of the traffic control signal system, on the 
main and siding tracks, between Fetner, milepost S164.8 and Hoffman, 
milepost S238.3, North Carolina, Florence Division, Aberdeen 
Subdivision, a distance of approximately 63.5 miles, and implementation 
of a Direct Traffic Control Block System (DTC) to govern train 
movements. CSXT has implemented DTC operations because of storm damage, 
and requests tolling the running of the six-month grace period provided 
in Part 235.7(4) for repair necessitated by catastrophic circumstances, 
pending FRA's decision.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is that the signal system 
was damaged by Hurricane Fran and is no longer needed for current 
operations.
BS-AP-No. 3412
Applicant: Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. E. G. Peterson, P.E., 
General Manager Signal Engineering, 500 Water Street (S/C J-370), 
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

    CSXTransportation, Incorporated (CSXT) seeks approval of the 
temporary discontinuance of all locations with signal systems, on all 
tracks, when a signal system is disturbed during construction and 
testing of changes, for a period of up to 30 days, and implement a 
temporary Direct Traffic Control Block System (DTC) to govern train 
movements during discontinuance of the signal system.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is to clarify CSXT 
standard practice for operation during implementation and testing of 
changes.
BS-AP-No. 3413
Applicant: Louisville and Indiana Railroad, Mr. J. H. Sharp, General 
Superintendent, 2500 Old U.S. Highway 31, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130

    The Louisville and Indiana Railroad seeks approval of the proposed 
discontinuance and removal of the signal, between milepost 109 and 
milepost 110.1, near Clagg Tower, Louisville, Kentucky, consisting of 
the discontinuance and removal of 13 signals, and conversion of 8 
power-operated switches to hand operation.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is that the power-
operated switches are no longer needed for the one to two switch crews 
per day operation, and the associated costs of the frequent maintenance 
of the antiquated equipment.
BS-AP-No. 3414
Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. P. M. Abaray, Chief 
Engineer-Signals/Quality, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 1000, Omaha, Nebraska 
68179-0001.

    The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed 
discontinuance and removal of the traffic control signal system, on the 
single main track between Fremont, California, CPF29, milepost 29.3 and 
milepost 5.8, on the Canyon Subdivision, a distance of approximately 
23.5 miles, and redesignation of the main track to an industrial 
switching lead.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is that changes in train 
operations due to utilization of former Southern Pacific trackage has 
eliminated the need for signals on this trackage.
    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 30 
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 December 10, 1996.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program 
Implementation.
[FR Doc. 96-31920 Filed 12-17-96; 8:45 am]
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