[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 143 (Monday, July 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40152-40153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19948]
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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. 3480
Applicant: Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company, Mr.
William G. Peterson, Director Signal Engineering 4515 Kansas Avenue,
Kansas City, Kansas 66106
Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company seeks approval of
the proposed discontinuance and removal of the traffic control system,
on the single main track, between North River, Missouri, milepost 8.6
and Maxwell, Missouri, milepost 177.7, on the Illinois Division,
Brookfield Subdivision, a distance of approximately 169 miles. The
proposal includes the implementation of Track Warrant Control Rules as
the method of operation, and conversion of the ``Bevier Control Point''
to a remote controlled interlocking.
The reason given for the proposed changes is that the severe
reductions in train traffic can no longer justify the ongoing
maintenance and operation of the signals.
BS-AP-No. 3481
Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. Phil Abaray, Chief
Engineer--Signal/Quality, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 1000, Omaha, Nebraska
68179-1000
Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed
discontinuance and removal of the single direction automatic block
signal (ABS) system, on the No. 1 single yard track, between Brooklyn,
milepost 767.9 and East Portland, milepost 770.3, on the Brooklyn
Subdivision, near Portland Oregon. The proposal includes removal of six
automatic block signals and the installation of a new ``D'' signal at
milepost 765.4.
The reason given for the proposed changes is the installation of a
bi-directional signal system, on the No. 2 main track between Brooklyn
and East Portland, has eliminated the need for the single direction ABS
system on the No. 1 yard track.
BS-AP-No. 3482
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 traffic control system, on the two main tracks, at
Beech Street, milepost BA-280.5, near Grafton, West Virginia, on the
Mountain Subdivision, Cumberland Business Unit, consisting of the
conversion of the power-operated switch to hand operation, and removal
of absolute controlled signals 29, 31, 33, 37, and 39.
The reason given for the proposed changes is to increase operating
efficiency.
BS-AP-No. 3483
Applicants:
CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. R. M. Kadlick, Chief Engineer
Train Control, 500 Water Street (S/C J-350), Jacksonville, Florida
32202
Consolidated Rail Corporation, Mr. J. F. Noffsinger, Chief
Engineer--C&S Assets, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19101-1410
CSX Transportation, Incorporated and Consolidated Rail Corporation,
jointly seek approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the
automatic block signal system and interlocking, on the two main tracks,
between milepost BIA-251.9 and milepost BIA-257.6, near Hammond,
Indiana, on the Lake Subdivision, Chicago Service Lane. The method of
operation will be by a Direct Traffic Control Block System. The
proposal includes conversion of the power-operated switches at Whiting
Interlocking to hand operation; removal of all existing associated
signals; and installation of two eastward inoperative approach signals
to ``Hick.''
The reason given for the proposed changes is to eliminate
facilities no longer needed for present day operation.
Rules, Standards, and Instructions Application (RS&I-AP)-No. 1104
Applicants:
CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. R. M. Kadlick, Chief Engineer
Train Control, 500 Water Street (S/C J-350), Jacksonville, Florida
32202
National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Mr. Ron Scolaro, Vice
President Operations, 60 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C.
20002
CSX Transportation, Incorporated (CSXT) and the National Railroad
Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK), jointly seek temporary relief from
Section 236.566 of the Rules, Standards, and Instructions (49 CFR, Part
236), during the period of September 1, through October 1, 1998, to the
extent that the CSXT and AMTRAK, as operating railroads for Virginia
Railway Express (VRE), be permitted to operate VRE Manassas trains,
without cab signals, in automatic cab signal territory, between
Alexandria and ``RO,'' Virginia,
[[Page 40153]]
approximately 6.1 miles, on CSXT's RF&P Subdivision, Baltimore Service
Lane, associated with the conversion of the existing 60 Hertz cab
signal system to the 100 Hertz operating cycle.
The justification for relief is that elimination of the only
operating, 60 Hertz system of its kind in the country, and the
resulting 100 Hertz operation, will provide more conformity with
prevailing cab signals. Also, the requested relief is to minimize the
impact to VRE's service during this transition, and permit the securing
of needed material and modification of the VRE equipment.
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 8 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 30 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, DC, on July 20, 1998.
George A. Gavalla,
Acting Associate Administrator for Safety.
[FR Doc. 98-19948 Filed 7-24-98; 8:45 am]
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