[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 3 (Thursday, January 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-210]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Finance Docket No. 33977]


County of Coahoma, Mississippi--Acquisition Exemption--Line of 
Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc., d/b/a Mississippi Delta Railroad

    The County of Coahoma, Mississippi (Coahoma), a Class III rail 
carrier, has filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to 
acquire (by purchase) approximately 18.6 miles of rail line known as 
the Lula Line from the Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc., d/b/a Mississippi 
Delta Railroad (MSD) extending from milepost 74.00 at Lyon, MS, to 
milepost 55.40 at Lula, MS.\1\ According to Coahoma, it and MSD have 
negotiated and at the time of the filing of this notice were executing 
an Asset Purchase Agreement providing for Coahoma's acquisition of 
MSD's right, title and interest in the Lula line. Coahoma indicates 
that the Lula line connects at Lyon with another rail line, the Swan 
Lake line, previously owned by the Illinois Central Railroad Company 
(IC) and operated by MSD pursuant to a now-expired lease. See Finance 
Docket No. 30683. Coahoma has since acquired the Swan Lake line from IC 
which is also operated by MSD.\2\ Coahoma certifies that its annual 
revenues will not exceed those that would qualify it as a Class III 
rail carrier and that its annual revenues are not projected to exceed 
$5 million.
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    \1\ See Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc.--Exemption From 49 U.S.C. 
11301, 10901 and 11322, Finance Docket No. 30683 (ICC served Nov. 6, 
1985).
    \2\ See County of Coahoma, Mississippi--Acquisition Exemption--
Line of Illinois Central Railroad Company, STB Finance Docket No. 
33953 (STB served Dec. 7, 2000).
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    This transaction is related to a simultaneously filed notice of 
exemption in STB Finance Docket No. 33975, Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc. 
d/b/a Mississippi Delta Railroad-Lease and Operation--Lines of the 
County of Coahoma, Mississippi, wherein MSD seeks to lease and operate 
the line being acquired by Coahoma.
    Coahoma states that, pursuant to an agreement, MSD has agreed to 
provide service on the Lula Line through June 30, 2001, or until the 
earlier of either Coahoma finding a long-term operator for the line or 
July 1, 2001, at which time MSD will cease its operations. Coahoma 
further states that MSD will seek the Board's approval for any 
authority needed in connection with its cessation of operations, or 
having in place Coahoma's long-term operator.
    The transaction was expected to be consummated on or shortly after 
December 20, 2000.
    If the notice contains false or misleading information, the 
exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 
U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to 
revoke will not automatically stay the transaction.
    An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB 
Finance Docket No. 33977, must be filed with the Surface Transportation 
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be 
served on William C. Sippel, Esq., Fletcher & Sippel LLC, Two 
Prudential Plaza, Suite 3125, 180 North Stetson Avenue, Chicago, IL 
60601-6721.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: December 28, 2000.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-210 Filed 1-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P