[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 247 (Friday, December 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 80988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32717]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Finance Docket No. 33967]


Safe Handling Rail, Inc.--Modified Rail Certificate

    On December 1, 2000, Safe Handling Rail, Inc. (SHR), a noncarrier, 
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 the State of Maine Department of 
Transportation's (MDOT) portion of a rail line known as the Rockland 
Branch extending for approximately 51.76 miles between milepost 33.79, 
in Brunswick, ME, and milepost 85.55, in Rockland, ME (Rockland 
Branch). In addition, SHR will operate MDOT's approximately 33.60 miles 
of rail line known as the Lower Road extending between milepost 29.40, 
at Rock Junction, in Brunswick, and milepost 63.00 in Augusta, ME 
(Lower Road).
    The Rockland Branch was owned by Maine Central Railroad Company 
(MEC) and approved for abandonment in Maine Central Railroad Company--
Abandonment--in Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox Counties, ME, 
Docket No. AB-83 (Sub-No. 8) (ICC served Oct. 10, 1985). The Rockland 
Branch, as described above, was subsequently acquired by MDOT and has 
been operated by Maine Coast Railroad Corporation (MECO) pursuant to a 
modified rail certificate issued in Maine Coast Railroad Corporation 
Modified Rail Certificate, Finance Docket No. 31727 (ICC served Oct. 5, 
1990). The Lower Road was owned by MEC and operated by Springfield 
Terminal Railway Company and approved for abandonment and 
discontinuance of service in Maine Central Railroad Company and 
Springfield Terminal Railway--Abandonment and Discontinuance--in 
Cumberland, Sagadahoc and Kennebec Counties, ME, Docket No. AB-83 (Sub-
No. 9) (ICC served Jan. 8, 1990). The Lower Road was subsequently 
acquired by MDOT and has been operated by MECO pursuant to a modified 
rail certificate issued in Maine Coast Railroad Corporation Modified 
Rail Certificate, Finance Docket No. 32271 (ICC served Apr. 22, 1993). 
On October 6, 2000, MECO filed with the Board, pursuant to 49 CFR 
1150.24, its notice of intent to terminate service on the Rockland 
Branch and the Lower Road 60 days from the date of its notice.\1\
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    \1\ In a related proceeding, the Board exempted SHR's 
acquisition of MECO's operating rights and incidental overhead 
trackage rights between milepost 27.5 and milepost 33.79 in 
Brunswick. See Safe Handling Rail, Inc.--Operation Exemption--Maine 
Coast Railroad Corporation, Maine Central Railroad Company, 
Springfield Terminal Railway Company, and State of Maine Department 
of Transportation, STB Finance Docket No. 33968 (STB served Dec. 15, 
2000).
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    Pursuant to a lease and operating agreement between MDOT and SHR 
(agreement), SHR will provide freight service over the Rockland Branch 
and the Lower Road beginning on or soon after December 6, 2000 and 
terminating on June 1, 2001.
    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).
    A subsidy is involved. The agreement provides that SHR shall not 
suffer any financial loss and that MDOT will reimburse SHR the 
difference between SHR's costs and revenues through the term of the 
agreement. The agreement further provides that, should SHR's revenues 
exceed its costs, then no payments will be made by MDOT to SHR or by 
SHR to MDOT. SHR represents that it has obtained liability insurance 
coverage and that there are no preconditions for shippers to meet in 
order to receive rail service.
    This notice will 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 Street, NW., Washington, DC 20001; and on the American Short Line 
and Regional Railroad Association: American Short Line and Regional 
Railroad Association, 1120 G Street, NW., Suite 520, Washington, DC 
20005.

    Decided: December 15, 2000.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-32717 Filed 12-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P