[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 15258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8230]



[[Page 15258]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


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. 3458

Applicant: Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway Company, Mr. D.B. 
Moore, Chief Engineer, Engineering Department, 329 Second Street, 
Proctor, Minnesota 55810-1091

    The Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway Company seeks approval 
of the proposed modification of the traffic control system, on the 
single main track, at Bridge 19A, near Milepost 18.2, between BN 
Saunders and Ambridge, Wisconsin, on the Missabe Division, Interstate 
Branch, consisting of the replacement of the existing DC coded track 
circuit with a wheel count-based trap circuit, over the steel decked 
bridge.
    The reasons given for the proposed changes are that the insulated 
bridge pads are approaching the end of their useful life, and steadily 
increasing annual costs for maintenance and train delays associated 
with troubleshooting and repairs. The pads are only available from an 
Australian supplier and full scale replacement cost is estimated at 
$65,000.

BS-AP-No. 3459

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 automatic block and traffic control signal systems, 
on the single main track and siding, near Washington, Indiana, between 
milepost BC-169 and milepost BC-174, Illinois/Indiana Subdivisions, 
Louisville Service Lane, consisting of the discontinuance and removal 
of absolute control signals 3L, 3R, 5RA, and 5L and automatic block 
signals 1713A and 1714; installation of new automatic block signals 
1718A, 1718B, and 1719 at W.E. Washington; and installation of a new 
absolute control signal 5L and power-operated switch at the east end of 
Washington.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is to eliminate 
facilities no longer needed in present day operation and increase 
operating efficiency.

BS-AP-No. 3460

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 automatic block signal system, on the single main 
track and siding, near Rushville, Indiana, milepost BD-85.5, 
Indianapolis Subdivision, Louisville Division, consisting of the 
conversion of absolute control signal E2 to automatic signal 856; and 
discontinuance and removal of absolute control signals E1, W1, WA2, and 
WD2 associated with the previous removal of the N.K.P. railroad 
crossing at grade.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is to eliminate 
facilities no longer needed in present day operation.

BS-AP-No. 3461

Applicant: Long Island Railroad, Mr. Frederick E. Smith, P.E., Chief 
Engineer, Hillside Maintenance Complex, 93-59 183 Street, Hollis, 
New York 11423

    The Long Island Railroad seeks approval of the proposed 
modification to Brook and Van Interlockings, in Brooklyn, New York, 
consisting of the discontinuance and removal of Brook Interlocking 
Signals 12R, 8L, 14R, 10L, and A1, and Van Interlocking Signal 8R, 
associated with numerous signal aspect changes and installation of a 
new crossover switch at Brook Interlocking.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is to modernize and 
upgrade the existing facilities.

BS-AP-No. 3462

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 
discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal system, on the 
single main track and sidings, between Howell, milepost 00H-323.5 and 
Mount Vernon, milepost 00H-344.9, Indiana, St. Louis Subdivision, 
Chicago Service Lane, a distance of approximately 21 miles, operate 
exclusively by a Direct Traffic Control Block system, and provide for 
the installation of inoperative approach signals at Howell and the Mt. 
Vernon rail crossing at grade.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is to eliminate 
facilities no longer needed in present day 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 March 17, 1998.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program 
Development.
[FR Doc. 98-8230 Filed 3-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P