[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 92 (Friday, May 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 40525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10285]



[[Page 40525]]

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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36771]


Merrimack & Grafton Railroad Corporation--Change in Operator 
Exemption--in Grafton and Coos Counties, N.H., and Essex County, Vt.

    Merrimack & Grafton Railroad Corporation (MGRC), a Class III rail 
carrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption pursuant to 49 CFR 
1150.41 to assume operations over the following railroad lines (the 
Lines), totaling approximately 52 route miles, owned by the State of 
New Hampshire through the New Hampshire Department of Transportation 
(NHDOT): (1) from milepost P 131.93 at North Stratford, N.H., to 
milepost P 145.21 at Colebrook, N.H.; (2) from milepost C 119.86 east 
of Wing Road in Bethlehem, N.H., to milepost C 130.7/P 101.9 at Hazen 
Road in Whitefield, N.H.; (3) from milepost C 130.7/P 101.9 at Hazen 
Road in Whitefield to milepost P 112.46/C 137.42 at Lancaster, N.H.; 
(4) from milepost P 112.46/C 137.42 at Lancaster to milepost C 145.76 
(proximate to the Whistle Post located south of the West Street 
crossing at the connection with the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad 
Company) at Groveton, N.H.; and (5) from milepost P 100.91 at 
Whitefield to milepost P 111.57 at Lunenburg, Vt. The verified notice 
states that the Lines are currently operated by New Hampshire Central 
Railroad, Inc. (NHCR).
    According to the verified notice, MGRC, a subsidiary of Trans Rail 
Holding Company, has entered into an operating agreement with NHDOT to 
assume common carrier operations over the Lines. Upon consummation of 
the proposed transaction, MGRC will replace NHCR as the exclusive 
common carrier operator over the Lines.
    MGRC certifies that the documents governing the proposed 
transaction do not include terms that would limit future interchange 
with a third-party connecting carrier. MGRC also certifies that its 
projected annual revenues resulting from the transaction will not 
result in the creation of a Class I or II rail carrier and are not 
expected to exceed $5 million.
    Under 49 CFR 1150.42(b), a change in operator requires that notice 
be given to shippers. MGRC certifies that it has provided a copy of its 
verified notice to all customers on the Lines.
    The transaction may be consummated on or after May 26, 2024, the 
effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified notice was 
filed). If the verified 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 effectiveness 
of the exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than May 
17, 2024 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36771, must be filed with 
the Surface Transportation Board via e-filing on the Board's website or 
in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-0001. In 
addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on MGRC's 
representative, Robert A. Wimbish, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North 
Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606-3208.
    According to MGRC, this action is categorically excluded from 
environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic 
preservation reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b).
    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: May 7, 2024.

    By the Board, Mai T. Dinh, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2024-10285 Filed 5-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P