[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66174-66175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32909]
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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 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236
Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (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. 3440
Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. P.M. Abaray, Chief
Engineer-Signals/Quality, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 1000, Omaha, Nebraska
68179-1000.
The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed
discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal system, on the
single main track, between Wellton, milepost 770.8 and Arlington,
milepost 861.6, Arizona, on the Gila Subdivision, Phoenix Line, former
Southern Pacific Lines, a distance of approximately 91 miles. The
proposed changes include removal of signals; switch point, and fouling
protection; conversion of Signals 7719 and 8608 to inoperative D
signals; conversion of Signals 40RA and 38RB at Wellington to red-lunar
aspects; and conversion of Signal 8617 at Arlington to a lunar aspect.
The reason given for the proposed changes is that this portion of
the Phoenix Line has been shut down for a period of time and does not
have any more rail traffic; the trackage will no longer be a main
track, but will be used as a storage track.
BS-AP-No. 3441
Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. P.M. Abaray, Chief
Engineer-Signals/Quality, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 1000, Omaha, Nebraska
68179-1000.
The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed
discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal system, on the
single main track, between Port Chicago, milepost 40.9 and Tracy,
milepost 78.7, California, on the Martinez Subdivision, Mococo Line,
former Southern Pacific Lines, a distance of approximately 38 miles.
The proposed changes include removal of signals, switch point, and
fouling protection; conversion of Signal 433 to an operative D signal;
conversion of Signal FA at Port Chicago to red-green aspect; and
designation of the trackage to DTC operations.
The reason given for the proposed changes is that this portion of
the Mococo Line does not have rail traffic to warrant the signal
system.
BS-AP-No. 3442
Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. P.M. Abaray, Chief
Engineer-Signals/Quality, 1416 Dodge
[[Page 66175]]
Street, Room 1000, Omaha, Nebraska 68179-1000.
The Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed
discontinuance and removal of the rail locks and associated power-
operated switch machines, on the Barge Canal Bridge, milepost 216.1,
near Bloomington, Texas, on the Brownsville Subdivision.
The reason given for the proposed changes is to modernize the
operation of the Barge Canal Bridge.
BS-AP-No. 3443
Applicants:
Arkansas and Missouri Railroad, Mr. G. B. McCready, Vice President
and General Manager, 306 East Emma, Springdale, Arkansas 72764
Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. P.M. Abaray, Chief Engineer-
Signals/Quality, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 1000, Omaha, Nebraska 68179-
1000
The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad
Company jointly seek approval of the proposed discontinuance and
removal of the traffic control system on the single main track, from
the Arkansas River Bridge, milepost 410.6 to North Fort Smith,
Arkansas, milepost 412.1, First Subdivision. The proposed changes
include the discontinuance and removal of the North Fort Smith Control
Point and the three controlled signals, conversion of the power-
operated switch to hand operation, installation of an approach signal
near milepost 411.3, and conversion of the remotely controlled lift
span bridge to local control utilizing radio signals to activate the
automatic bridge lowering sequence.
The reason given for the proposed changes is that the current
traffic levels do not warrant the complexity, expense, and occasional
delays of the existing CTC system controlled by the BNSF dispatcher in
Ft. Worth, Texas.
BS-AP-No. 3444
Applicant: CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. R.M. Kadlick,
Chief Engineer Train Control, 500 Water Street (S/C J-350),
Jacksonville, Florida 32202.
CSX Transportation, Incorporated seeks approval of the proposed
modification of the signal system, on the single main track, near
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Shenandoah Subdivision, Baltimore Service
Lane, consisting of the replacement of Automatic Block Signal System
Rules 243-247, between milepost BAD-1.0 and milepost BAD-0.0, with Yard
Limit Rule 93, and conversion of the 5R automatic block signal to an
inoperative approach signal.
The reason given for the proposed changes is to enhance switching
operations and increase efficiency.
BS-AP-No. 3445
Applicant: Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad, Incorporated, Mr. David
C. Baer, Chief Engineer, 201 North Penn Street, Punxsutawney,
Pennsylvania 15767.
The Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad, Incorporated seeks approval of
the proposed discontinuance and removal of the traffic control and
automatic block signal system, on the main tracks, between Ashford
Junction, New York, milepost 43.3 and Riker, Pennsylvania, milepost
223.5, on the Main Line Subdivision, a distance of approximately 180.2
miles, consisting of the removal of all governing signals, 16 power-
operated switches, and 3 electric switch locks within the above
milepost limits.
The reason given for the proposed changes is to retire facilities
no longer required for present operation.
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., Mail Stop 25, Washington, D.C. 20590
within 45 calendar days of the date of publication 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 an 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, 1997.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program
Development.
[FR Doc. 97-32909 Filed 12-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P