[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 75009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20762]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36808]


Georges Creek Division Railroad, LLC--Lease and Operation 
Exemption--Eighteen Thirty Group, LLC

    Georges Creek Division Railroad, LLC (GCDR), a noncarrier, has 
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR part 1150, subpart D, 
to lease and conduct common carrier operations over approximately 14.49 
miles of rail line as follows: (a) 13.94 miles of railroad line 
consisting of a portion of the former CSXT Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) 
Georges Creek Subdivision between approximately milepost BAI 31.6 at 
Westernport, Md., and approximately milepost BAI 18.46 at the end of 
the line at Carlos/Shaft, Md.; and (b) 0.55 miles of railroad 
consisting of a portion of the former CSXT Thomas Subdivision from 
approximately milepost BAH 26.25 at Barton, Md., to the end of track at 
approximately milepost BAH 26.80 at Westernport (collectively, the 
Lines).
    According to the verified notice, the Lines are owned by Eighteen 
Thirty Group, LLC (Eighteen Thirty). The verified notice states that 
GCDR and Eighteen Thirty are finalizing a Land and Rail Assets Lease 
Agreement (Lease), under which GCDR will assume the right and 
obligation to offer and provide railroad common carrier service over 
the Lines. Furthermore, the verified notice states that the Lease will 
permit GCDR to enter into a land and rail assets sublease agreement 
with Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corporation (WMSR), 
the noncarrier that controls GCDR, to enable WMSR to operate intrastate 
excursion and railroad tourism over the Lines.\1\
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    \1\ According to the verified notice, under such a sublease, 
WMSR would assume all rights and obligations in the Lines under the 
Lease except the right and obligation to offer and provide railroad 
common carrier service, which GCDR would retain.
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    GCDR certifies that its projected annual revenue will not result in 
the creation of a Class I or Class II rail carrier and will not exceed 
$5 million. GCDR also certifies that the agreement does not include an 
interchange commitment. The transaction may be consummated on or after 
September 28, 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 September 20, 
2024 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36808, must be filed with 
the Surface Transportation Board either 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 
GCDR's representative, Robert A. Wimbish, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 
North Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606-3208.
    According to GCDR, 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: September 9, 2024.

    By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Zantori Dickerson,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2024-20762 Filed 9-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P