2003

PAST YEARS: 1999 (July 26-Dec 31) - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - CURRENT YEAR

The railroad abandonment proposals are also published each month in the printed  ARKANSAS RAILROADER, which I edit. It is the monthly publication of the Arkansas Railroad Club, Little Rock Chapter NRHS, and contains other rail news plus stories from railroading's past. Our address is: PO Box 9151, North Little Rock AR 72119. Chapter dues are $20 a year and includes the monthly newsletters.  Email me if you have any questions about the abandonment page (I'd like to know who uses the page): ken@trainweather.com. I separated  these reports into individual years since having them all together made the text file nearly 1 mb in size.

PROPOSED RAILROAD ABANDONMENTS - LATEST NOTICE BOTTOM OF LIST

2003

(Page updated December 29, 2003 - last served abandonment notice December 29, 2003)

I will try to update once a week or more. The latest abandonment proposal will be last on the list in most cases. The Docket numbers for each listing are posted. Only NEW requests for abandonments will be listed...no updates to previous filings. Also, it may be months or years before track is actually taken up on some of these proposals - these rulings only give the railroad the right to abandon.

The address of the Surface Transportation Board is: Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, Washington DC 20423. The STB phone number for abandonment procedures (Office of Public Services) is: 202-565-1592. If you contact them, it would be handy to use the Docket Numbers. Their Web address is: http://www.stb.dot.gov if you'd like the complete listings.

These abandonment proposals have been printed in the Federal Register OR have come directly from the Surface Transportation Board. They will go in effect unless one of the following occurs: 1) an offer of financial assistance is received; 2) a request for public use of the land is received (for instance, rails-to-trails); 3) petitions to reopen the case is filed. Railroads, before they can file these "notices of exemption under CFR 1152 Subpart F," must certify that 1) no local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years; 2) any overhead traffic can be routed over other lines; 3) no formal complaint filed by a user is pending and; 4) environmental reports, historic reports, transmittal letter, newspaper publication, and notice to governmental agencies have been met.

LATEST NOTICE ON BOTTOM OF DOCUMENT

IOWA – UNION PACIFIC – To abandon and discontinue service over a segment of line,  known as the Eldora Junction Line, extending from milepost 5.10 to milepost 6.22, a distance of 1.12 miles, in Hardin County, IA. A final decision will be issued by April 8, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 168X, decided December 31, 2002, served January 8, 2003)

WEST VIRGINIA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN - To abandon a 2.5-mile line of railroad between milepost FG-0.0 at Williamson and milepost FG-2.5 at Cinderella, in Mingo County, WV. Effective on February 8, 2003. ([STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 215X, decided January 2, served January 9, 2003)

WISCONSIN – UNION PACIFIC – To abandon a 2.00-mile line of railroad, known as the Menomonie Industrial Lead, extending from milepost 0.90 near Stout Oak Street to milepost 2.90 near 12th Avenue West, in Dunn County, WI.  Effective on February 9, 2003.  (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 190X, decided January 3, served January 10, 2003)

WASHINGTON – BNSF – To abandon and discontinue service over a 0.17-mile line of railroad between Station 258 + 07 and Station 267 + 00, in Seattle, King County, WA. Effective on February 15, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 402X, decided January 9, served January 16, 2003)

WASHINGTON – BNSF - To abandon a 0.24-mile line of railroad between milepost 28.10 and milepost 28.34 near McMillan, in Pierce County, WA. Effective on February 27, 2003. ([STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 397X, decided January 15, served January 28, 2003)

TEXAS – MID-MICHIGAN RAILROAD, INC, TEXAS NORTHEASTERN DIVISION - To discontinue service over 10.51 miles of railroad between milepost 662.54 in Denison and milepost 673.05 in Sherman, in Grayson County, TX. The KATY railroad had apparently been given the right to abandon this line when MKT merged with MP but it had not been consummated. Effective on February 28, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-364 (Sub-No. 7X, decided January 24, served January 29, 2003)

KENTUCKY – CSX - To abandon an approximately 13.4-mile line of railroad between milepost CON 3.1 at Salisbury and milepost CON 16.5 near Clear Creek Junction in Floyd County, KY. Effective on March 13, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 627X, decided February 5, served February 11, 2003)

ILLINOIS – ILLINOIC CENTRAL RAILROAD CO. - To abandon a 0.45-mile line of railroad between milepost MM 602.55 and milepost 603.0 near Baldwin, in Randolph County, IL. Effective on March 30, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-43 (Sub-No. 174X, decided February 19, served February 28, 2003)

INDIANA – ILLINOIS INDIANA DEVELOPMENT, LLC - To abandon and CSS to discontinue service over an approximately 0.6-mile line of railroad from approximately milepost 157.9, near Dickson Street in Michigan City, northwest across Trail Creek to approximately milepost 158.5, near U.S. Highway 12, in LaPorte County, IN. Effective on March 30, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-846X and STB Docket No. AB-344 (Sub-No. 2X, decided February 21, served February 28, 2003)

NEBRASKA – BNSF - To abandon a 19.8-mile line of railroad between milepost 216.95 near Franklin, NE, and milepost 197.15 near Red Cloud, NE, in Franklin and Webster Counties, NE. Effective on April 4, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 400X, decided February 26, served March 5, 2003)

NEW YORK – NEW YORK CENTRAL LINES, LLC - To abandon and CSXT to discontinue service over an approximately 1.5-mile line of  railroad between milepost QVP 0.0 at Melrose Avenue and milepost QVP 1.5 near the southernmost edge of the tunnel at Southern Boulevard in Bronx County, NY. Effective on April 17, 2003. (STB Docket Nos. AB-565 (Sub-No. 13X) and AB-55 (Sub-No. 628X, decided March 11, served March 18, 2003)

KENTUCKY – PADUCAH & LOUISVILLE RAILWAY, INC. - To abandon approximately 5,780 feet of rail line extending from station number 17+55, near Caldwell Street, to station number 64+00, near 6th Street, on each side of railroad milepost 1, in the city of Paducah, McCracken County, KY. A final decision will be issued by June 20, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-468 (Sub-No. 5X, decided March 17, served March 24, 2003)

KANSAS – BNSF - To abandon its line of railroad, between milepost 494.22 and milepost 505.20 in and near Wichita, KS, and from milepost 515.23 to milepost 509.30 between Wichita and Valley Center, in Sedgwick County, KS, a total distance of 16.91 miles. Effective on April 23, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 403X, decided March 14, served March 24, 2003)

NEW YORK – NEW YORK CENTRAL LINES, LLC - To abandon and CSXT to discontinue service over approximately 6.3 miles of  railroad from milepost QGW 159.6 to milepost QGW 165.9, between South Amsterdam in Montgomery County and Rotterdam Junction in Schenectady County, NY. Effective on April 24, 2003. (STB Docket Nos. AB-565 (Sub-No. 14X) and AB-55 (Sub-No. 629X, decided March 18, served March 25, 2003)

OHIO – CSX - To abandon an approximately 4.14 mile line of railroad at Teays Industrial Track between milepost CES-0.00 and milepost CES-4.14 in Pike County, OH. Effective on May 6, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub No. 622X, decided March 28, served April 4, 2003)

MINNESOTA – ST. CROIX VALLEY RAILROAD COM. - To: (1) Abandon its rail easement over a line of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) between milepost 58.3 at Mora Junction (Brook Park) and milepost 47.6 at Mora, a distance of 10.7 miles;\1\ and (2) discontinue rail service pursuant to overhead trackage rights over a rail line of BNSF between Hinckley and Mora Junction (Brook Park), a distance of 8.2 miles, in Pine and Kanabec Counties, MN. According to SCXY, this segment was embargoed, effective July 22, 2002, due to unsafe track conditions A final decision will be issued by July 7, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-850X, decided April 3, served April 8, 2003)

TENNESSEE – CSX -  To abandon an approximately 0.43-mile line of railroad between milepost OCN-162.57 and milepost OCN-163.00 in Gallatin, Sumner County, TN. Effective May 8, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No 630X, decided March 26, served April 8, 2003) 

OHIO – CSX – To abandon a line of railroad, known as the Lumber Lead, extending from former Conrail milepost 11.49 to a point at or near former Conrail milepost 11.56, a distance of approximately 0.07 of a mile, in Summit County, OH. Effective on May 15, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 631X, decided April 4, served April 15, 2003)

VIRGINIA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN - To abandon a 2.9-mile line of railroad between milepost CH-3.6 at Hurricane Junction and milepost CH-6.5 at Clinchfield, Russell County, VA. Effective on May 18, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 227X, decided April 8, served April 18, 2003)

MASSACHUTTES -  SPRINGFIELD TERMINAL RAILWAY CO - To discontinue service over a 2.11-mile line of railroad \1\ known as the Bemis Branch extending from milepost 8.83 to milepost 10.94,\2\ in Waltham and Watertown, Middlesex County, MA. B&M was authorized to abandon the line in Boston and Maine Corporation--Abandonment--in Middlesex County, MA, STB Docket No. AB-32 (Sub-No. 89) (STB served Aug. 16, 2000), and consummated the abandonment in June 2001. Effective on June 6, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-355 (Sub-No. 27X, decided May 2, served May 7, 2003.

NORTH CAROLINA – CSX - to abandon an approximately 0.64-mile line of railroad between milepost AE 245.06 and milepost AE 245.70 in Sanford, Lee County, NC. Effective on June 18, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 632X, decided May 12, served May 19, 2003)

TEXAS – UNION PACIFIC, MID-MICHIGAN RAILROAD - UP to abandon and TNER to discontinue service over a 33.5-mile portion of the Bonham Subdivision between milepost 94.0, near Paris, and milepost 127.5, east of Bonham, in Lamar and Fannin Counties, TX. Effective on June 18, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 163X)] and [STB Docket No. AB-364 (Sub-No. 8X, decided May 12, served May 19, 2003)

KANSAS – V AND S RAILWAY, INC. - To abandon a 20-mile line of railroad extending from milepost 21.0, at Medicine Lodge, to the end of the line at milepost 41.0, at Sun City, in Barber County,  KS. A final decision will be issued by August 20, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-603 (Sub-No. 1X , decided May 16, served May 22, 2003)

MASS/NEW HAMPSHIRE – SPRINGFIELD TERMINAL RAILWAY COMPANY - To discontinue service over two portions of a line of railroad, with a combined length of 11.97-miles, known as the Manchester and Lawrence Branch, extending (a) from milepost 1.40 to milepost 7.6  and (b) from milepost 20.93 to milepost 26.70 in Essex County, MA, and Rockingham and Hillsborough Counties, NH. .Effective on June 26, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-355 Sub-No. 28X, decided May 20, served May 27, 2003)

NEBRASKA – BNSF - To abandon an approximately 9.28-mile line of railroad between BNSF milepost 87.02, near Blue Hill, and milepost 96.30, near Bladen, in Webster County, NE. Effective on July 4, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 404X, decided May 22, served June 4, 2003)

WEST VIRGINIA – CSX - To discontinue service over an approximately 5.3-mile line of railroad, extending between milepost BAH 63.7 at Sincel and the end of the track at milepost BAH 69.0 near Henry, in Grant County, WV. effective on July 10, 2003. ([STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 637X, decided May 29, served June 9, 2003)

NEW YORK – CANADIAN NATIONAL - To discontinue trackage rights over a 5.3-mile portion of trackage owned by New York Central Lines, LLC (NYC) and operated by CSX Transportation, Inc., in Buffalo, Erie County, NY. The line is described as the following segments: (a) NYC's Chicago Line between CP-2 and CP-5 (milepost 5.4+/-), near the south end of NYC's Seneca Yard; (b) NYC's Compromise Branch between CP-437 and CP-2; and (c) NYC's Bailey Avenue Branch between CP-T and CP-437. Effective on July 9, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-279 (Sub-No. 5X, decided May 30, served June 9, 2003)

IOWA – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon a 7.84-mile line of railroad, in the western portion of the Bristow Subdivision, extending from milepost 318.66, near Hampton, to milepost 326.50, near Coulter, in Franklin County, IA. A final decision will be issued by September 12, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 201X, decided June 10, served June 16, 2003)

NEW YORK – DELAWARE AND HUDSON RAILWAY CO. INC., D/B/A CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY - To abandon a 9.14+/- mile portion of railroad known as the Albany Main or the Voorheesville Running Track, between milepost 10.94+/- and milepost 1.8+/- in Albany County, NY. Effective on July 16, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-156 (Sub-No. 23X, decided June 9, served June 16, 2003)

IOWA – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon an eastern portion of its Bristow Subdivision rail line, extending from milepost 318.36 near Hampton to milepost 294.75 near Allison, a distance of 23.61 miles, in Franklin and Butler Counties, IA. A final decision will be issued by September 26, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 200X, decided June 23, served June 27, 2003.

MICHIGAN – CSX, MID-MICHIGAN RR - To abandon and MMR to discontinue service over approximately 5.5 miles of railroad from milepost CBE-40.00 at Alma, to milepost CBE-45.5 at Elwell, in Gratiot County, MI. Effective on July 29, 2003. (STB Docket Nos. AB-55 (Sub-No. 635X) and AB-364 (Sub-No. 9X, decided June 19, served June 27, 2003)

IOWA – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon a 5.90-mile line of railroad known as the Sheffield Industrial Lead, between milepost 179.80 near Chapin and milepost 173.90 near Sheffield in Franklin County, IA. A final decision will be issued by September 26, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 202X, decided June 23, served June 30, 2003)

TEXAS – DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT/KCS - DART to abandon and KCS and DGNO to discontinue trackage rights over approximately 11.45 miles of railroad between approximately milepost 45.5 at Westmoreland Road and approximately milepost 56.95 at Tenison, in Dallas, Dallas County, TX. Effective on July 30, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-439 (Sub-No. 1X, decided June 23, served June 30, 2003)

NEBRASKA – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon a rail line known as the Jamaica Industrial Lead, formerly called the Lincoln Subdivision, from the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company connection at milepost 56.43 to the end of the line at milepost 57.00 in Lincoln, NE, a distance of 0.57 miles in Lancaster County, NE. A final decision will be issued by September 30, 2003. ([STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 207X, decided June 23, served July 2, 2003)

MICHIGAN – CSX - To abandon an approximately 2.68-mile line of railroad between milepost CBD 83.28 at Tappan, and milepost CBD 85.96 near Port Huron, in St. Clair County, MI. Effective on August 6, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 636X, decided June 30, served July 7, 2003)

INDIANA – CSX - To abandon a 2.95-mile line of railroad, in CSXT's Western Region, Great Lakes Division, extending from milepost 00Q-219.55 to milepost 00Q-222.50, in  Bloomington, Monroe County, IN.  A final decision will be issued by October 17, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 634X, decided July 14, served July 21, 2003)

WISCONSIN – SOO LINE RAILROAD CO. - To abandon approximately 7.5 miles of its line of railroad between milepost 18.43+/-(near Kansasville) and milepost 25.93+/-(in Burlington), in Racine County, WI. Effective on August 29, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-57 (Sub-No. 53X, decided July 23, served July 30, 2003)

INDIANA – INDIANA RAIL ROAD COMPANY - To abandon a 0.97-mile line of railroad, known as the Bloomington Southern, extending from milepost B 1.71 south to milepost B 2.68 in Bloomington, IN, and to discontinue trackage rights over approximately 2.87 miles of a CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) line in Bloomington, extending from CSXT milepost 219.0 to CSXT milepost 221.87, and over approximately 150 feet of CSXT's track no. 68 and approximately 285 feet of CSXT's track no. 21 in CSXT's McDoel Yard in Bloomington, in Monroe County, IN. A final decision will be issued by October 31, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-295 (Sub-No. 5X, decided July 24, served August 1, 2003)

OHIO – CSX - To abandon an approximately 6.37-mile line of railroad, in CSXT's Midwest Region, Louisville Division, Lake Erie Subdivision, extending from milepost BQ-25.90, at Mt. Vernon, to milepost BQ-32.27, at Fredericktown, in Knox County, OH. A final decision will be issued by October 31, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 638X, decided July 24, served August 1, 2003)

ILLINOIS – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon an 18.10-mile line of railroad, known as the Sparta Branch, extending from milepost 41.1 near Oakdale to the end of the track at milepost 23.0 near Hoyleton, in Washington County, IL. effective on September 2, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 171X, decided July 24, served August 1, 2003)

MICHIGAN - CENTRAL MICHIGAN RAILWAY CO -To abandon an approximately 1.77-mile line of railroad, extending from milepost 2.83 at the western end of CMR's railroad bridge over Interstate 75 to milepost 4.60 in Saginaw County, MI. A final decision will be issued by November 3, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-308 (Sub-No. 3X, decided July 23, served August 5, 2003)

IOWA - UNION PACIFIC - To abandon a 14.0-mile line of railroad, known as the Ankeny Subdivision, extending from milepost 10.7 near Ankeny to milepost 341.1 (Equation: 23.20 = 339.60) near Slater, in Polk and Story Counties, IA. Effective on September 4, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 206X, decided July 29, served August 5, 2003)

ARIZONA - SWKR OPERATING CO - To abandon a 19.9-mile line of railroad extending from milepost 7.0 (formerly milepost 1040.15), near Curtis, to the end of the line at milepost 26.9 (formerly milepost 1055.8), near Charleston, in Cochise County, AZ. It includes the station of Fairbank at milepost 19.1. (STB Docket No. AB-441 (Sub-No. 3X, decided July 30, served August 6, 2003)

INDIANA – A&R LINE, INC – TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY CORP – A&R seeks to abandon and TP&W seeks to discontinue service over a line of railroad known as the A&R line extending from milepost 5.1W near Kenneth to the end of the line at milepost 21.OW near Winamac, a distance of 15.9 miles in Cass and Pulaski Counties, IN. The line constitutes A&R's entire line of railroad. The line includes the station of Winamac at milepost 21.OW. A final decision will be issued by November 18, 2003. (STB Docket Nos. AB-855 (Sub-No. 1X) and AB-847 (Sub-No. 2X, decided August 11, served August 20, 2003)

INDIANA – TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY CORP – J. K. LINE, INC - J.K. to abandon and for TP&W to discontinue service over a 17-mile line of railroad between milepost 199, near North Judson, and milepost 183, near Monterey, at the end of the line, in Starke and Pulaski Counties, IN. A final decision will be issued by November 18, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-847 (Sub-No. 1X), STB Docket No. AB-856 (Sub-No. 1X, decided August 13, served August 20, 2003)

KANSAS - KANSAS & OKLAHOMA RAILROAD, INC -  To abandon two rail line segments as follows: (1) A 10.7-mile rail line between milepost 36.3 at Hanston, and milepost 47.0 at Jetmore, in Hodgeman County, KS; and (2) a 46.8-mile rail line between milepost 589.2 at Coats, and milepost 636.0 at Protection, in Comanche, Kiowa, and Pratt Counties, KS. Effective on September 26, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-853 (Sub-No. 1X, decided August 18, served August 27, 2003)

WEST VIRGINIA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN - To abandon a 1.59-mile line of railroad between milepost TE-1.50 at Licks Fork Spur and milepost TE-3.09 at Elda, in Mingo County, WV. Effective on September 27, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 223X, decided August 22, served August 28, 2003)

INDIANA – CSX – NEW YORK CENTRAL. LTD - To discontinue service over a 1.64-mile line of railroad in CSXT's Western Region, Great Lakes Division, Indianapolis Line Subdivision, extending from milepost QIN 95.34 to milepost QIN 96.98, in New Castle, Henry County, IN. A final decision will be issued by December 5, 2003. (STB Docket Nos. AB-55 (Sub-No. 639X) and AB-565 (Sub-No. 15X, decided August 28, served September 5, 2003)

ALABAMA – CSX - To abandon a 16.47-mile line of railroad extending from milepost ONC 384.00 at Black Creek to milepost ONJ 400.47 at West Jefferson, in Jefferson County, AL. Effective on October 22, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 613X, decided September 15, served September 22, 2003)

VIRGINIA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN - To abandon a 1.9-mile line of railroad between milepost PO-0.0 at Bluestone, Mercer County, WV, and milepost PO-1.90 at Pocahontas, Tazewell County, VA. Effective on October 24, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 222X, decided September 12, served September 24, 2003)

GEORGIA – CSX - To abandon a portion of its Southern Region, Jacksonville Division, extending from milepost AP 594.69, near Waresboro, to milepost AP 617.94, near Pearson, a distance of 23.25 miles, in Atkinson and Ware Counties, GA (the line). Comments on this abandonment request should be made by October 20, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 640, decided September 17, served September 25, 2003)

ARIZONA – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon a 2.1-mile line of railroad, known as the Creamery Spur, extending from milepost 914.3 to milepost 916.4 near University Drive between Priest Drive and Hayden Road in Tempe, Maricopa County, AZ. Effective on October 28, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 210X, decided September 22, served September 26, 2003)

PENNSYLVANIA – ALLEGHENY & EASTERN RAILROAD, INC. - To abandon an 18.9-mile line of railroad between milepost 131, near St. Marys, in Elk County, and milepost 149.9, southeast of Emporium, in Cameron County, PA. Effective October 31, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-854X, decided September 24, served September 30, 2003)

TENNESSEE – CSX - To discontinue service over approximately 1.2 miles of rail line in CSXT's Central Region, Appalachian Division, KD Subdivision, Second Creek Spur, extending from Valuation Station 15304+87 to Valuation Station 15368+89, in Knoxville, Knox County, TN. A final decision will be issued by January 2, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 641X, decided September 25, served October 3, 2003)

IDAHO – BG & CM RAILROAD - Tto acquire from Camas Prairie Railnet, Inc. (Camas Prairie) and operate approximately 66.8 miles of rail line between Spalding and Grangeville in Lewis, Nez Perce, and Idaho Counties, ID.\1\ This line, extending from milepost 0.0 to milepost 66.8, was authorized for abandonment in Camas Prairie Railnet, Inc.--Abandonment--in Lewis, Nez Perce and Idaho Counties, ID (Between Spalding and Grangeville), STB Docket No. AB-564 (STB served Sept. 13, 2000).\2\ BG & CM was subsequently authorized to negotiate for trail use of the line by a decision and certificate of interim trail use (CITU) served in the same docket on January 6, 2003. Trail use negotiations were successful and BG & CM has acquired all relevant, track, ties and other track materials, and sufficient real estate interests for railroad operations. BG & CM wishes to reactivate service from milepost 0.0 to milepost 52.0, but requests that the remainder of the line, from milepost 52.0 to milepost 66.8, remain rail banked pursuant to the CITU. (STB Finance Docket No. 34398, decided September 29, served October 6, 2003 – I put this notice here since that portion of track from mp 52.0 to 66.8 remains abandoned/railbanked)

TEXAS – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon the remaining portion of the Columbia Tap Industrial Lead, extending from milepost .064 near Walker and Palmer Streets to milepost 1.54 near Trulley and Velasco Streets in Houston, Harris County, TX, a distance of .90 miles. A final decision will be issued by January 9, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 203X, decided October 3, served October 10, 2003)

WYOMING – WYOMING AND COLORADO RAILROAD COMPANY, INC. - To abandon a 1.12-mile line of railroad extending from milepost 0.19 to milepost 1.31 in the City of Laramie, Albany County, WY. Effective on November 12, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-307 (Sub-No. 4X), decided October 3, served October 10, 2003)

KENTUCKY – PADUCAH & LOUISVILLE RAILWAY, INC. - To abandon a 4.81-mile line of railroad between milepost J-159.6, near Ilsley, and milepost J-164.41, near Dawson Springs, in Hopkins County, KY. Effective November 12, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-468 (Sub-No. 6X, decided October 3, served October 10, 2003)

CALIFORNIA – UNION PACIFIC - To discontinue trackage rights over a 13.1-mile line of railroad (the Seaside Industrial Lead) owned by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) \1\ extending from milepost 110.2 near Castroville, CA, to the end of the line at milepost 123.3, near Seaside, CA, in Monterey County, CA. According to UP, the line has been sold to TAMC effective September 12, 2003. UP states that, in accordance with the terms of the sale, UP reserved trackage rights for freight operations over the line. UP states that it no longer has any need to maintain the reserved trackage rights for freight operations and therefore is proposing discontinuance of those rights. While the terms of the September 12 sale are not altogether clear from the filings made by the parties to that sale in either the present proceeding or in STB Finance Docket No. 34405, the fact that UP has couched its proposal as a discontinuance and not an abandonment would indicate that UP takes the position that a freight common carrier obligation was conveyed to TAMC as part of the September 12 sale. effective on November 11, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 157X), decided October 6, served October 10, 2003)

LOUISIANA - THE ALABAMA GREAT SOUTHERN RAILROAD COMPANY - To abandon approximately 1.28 miles of railroad between milepost 1.22-NT and milepost 2.50-NT, in New Orleans, LA. AGS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway Company. Effective on November 13, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 239X, decided October 3, served October 14, 2003)

PENNSYLVANIA – ALMONO LP - To abandon its entire line of railroad extending between the plant of shipper MetalTech on the north side of the Monongahela River and an interchange point with CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) north of CSXT's Glenwood Yard in Hazelwood, Allegheny County, PA, a distance of approximately 2 miles.\1\ Almono states that the line does not have milepost designations. A final decision will be issued by January 13, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-842X, decided October 8, served October 15, 2003)

OHIO – WHEELING & LAKE ERIE RAILWAY CO. – To acquire the rail freight operating easement of CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) over a 17.77-mile rail line between approximately milepost 15.93 at Canton, OH, and approximately milepost 33.70 at Krumroy, OH (the Canton Line), owned by Metro Regional Transit Authority (METRO). Effective November 9, 2003. (STB Finance Docket No. 34341, decided October 8, served October 16, 2003)

ILLINOIS – CSX - To abandon an approximately 5.9-mile line of railroad, in CSXT's Western Region, Chicago Division, Woodland Subdivision, extending from milepost OZE 107.1 at Rossville Junction to milepost OZE 113.0 at Henning, in Vermillion County, IL. A final decision will be issued by January 16, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 642X, decided October 8, served October 17, 2003)

PENNSYLVANIA – CSX - To discontinue service over an approximately 11.2-mile line of railroad, extending between milepost BG 7.2 at Glenshaw and milepost BG 18.4 at Bakerstown, in Allegheny, County, PA. Effective on November 18, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 644X, decided October 8, served October 17, 2003)

MAINE – WATERLOO RAILWAY CO. –VAN BUREN BRIDGE COMPANY - Seeking: (a) In STB Docket No. AB-279 (Sub-No. 3), the adverse (involuntary) discontinuance of certain trackage rights acquired by the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) from BAR and its wholly owned subsidiary, the Van Buren Bridge Company; and (b) in STB Finance Docket No. AB-124 (Sub-No. 2), the adverse (involuntary) abandonment of the operating easement acquired by a CN subsidiary, the Waterloo Railway Company (Waterloo), over the same lines.\2\ The lines run between Madawaska, ME, and the Canadian border, and serve a mill owned by Fraser Papers Inc. (Fraser) at Madawaska, ME. The lines are now owned by the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd. (MMA), which purchased them from the estate of the bankrupt BAR on January 9, 2003. All comments or protests must be filed by November 20, 2003. (STB Docket Nos. AB-124 (Sub-No. 2) and AB-279 (Sub-No. 3, decided October 17, served October 24, 2003)

CALIFORNIA - SAN BERNARDINO ASSOCIATED GOVERNMENTS - To abandon any residual common carrier obligation on a 1.92-mile line of railroad, formerly operated by The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF), between milepost 9.48 and milepost 11.40 in Redlands, San Bernardino County, CA. Effective on November 26, 2003. [STB Docket No. AB-416 (Sub-No. 3X, decided October 20, served October 27, 2003)

SOUTH CAROLINA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY CO - To abandon a 2-mile line of railroad between milepost SA-49.0 at Oakwood, SC, and milepost SA-51.0 at Montmorenci, SC, in Aiken County, SC. Effective on November 26, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 241X, decided October 20, served October 27, 2003)

MASSACHUSETTS – CONNECTICUT - PROVIDENCE AND WORCESTER RAILROAD CO. – To abandon a portion of its line of railroad known as the Southbridge Running Track, extending from milepost 0.18, in Webster, MA, to milepost 10.98, in Southbridge, MA, a distance of approximately 10.8 miles, in Worcester County, MA, and Windham County, CT. Effective on December 4, 2003. ([STB Docket No. AB-254 (Sub-No. 7X, decided October 28, served November 4, 2003)

COLORADO – GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY OF COLORADO, LLC - To abandon its Eaton Subdivision located between milepost 30.8 near Windsor, and milepost 42.5 near Eaton, totaling approximately 11.7 miles, in Weld County, CO. Effective on December 10, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-857X, decided November 3, served November 10, 2003)

CALIFORNIA – UNION PACIFIC – To abandon a 5.38-mile line of railroad in the Milpitas Subdivision from milepost 0.00 near Clark Drive at Niles Junction to milepost 5.38 near Washington Boulevard, in or near Freemont, Alameda County, CA. Effective on December 12, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 211X, decided November 5, served November 12, 2003)

KANSAS – UNION PACIFIC – To abandon an 8.13-mile line of railroad from milepost 133.13 near Marysville to milepost 125.00 near Marietta, in Marshall County, KS.  Effective on December 18, 2003. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 208X, decided November 10, served November 18, 2003)

CALIFORNIA - SAN BERNARDINO ASSOCIATED GOVERNMENTS – To abandon any residual common carrier obligation on a 19.80-mile line of railroad on the Baldwin Park line, formerly operated by Southern Pacific Transportation Company (SP), between milepost 515.70 at the San Bernardino/Los Angeles Counties, CA border and milepost 535.50 in San Bernardino County, CA. Effective on December 24, 2003. [STB Docket No. AB-416 (Sub-No. 4X, decided November 13, served November 24, 2003)

NEBRASKA – BNSF – To abandon a line of railroad extending between milepost 57.80, near Pawnee, and milepost 117.03, near Endicott, a distance of approximately 59.23 miles in Jefferson, Gage, and Pawnee Counties, NE and includes the following stations: Burchard, Liberty, Wymore, Krider, Odell, and Diller. A final decision will be issued by March 1, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 405X, decided November 21, served December 2, 2003)

STB CHANGES TO ABANDONMENT RULES - ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) is amending its regulations concerning the service of a notice of intent to abandon or discontinue rail service by removing an obsolete reference to a labor organization and making technical changes. This rule is effective January 3, 2004. (STB Ex Parte No. 537 (Sub-No. 1, served December 4, 2003)

OKLAHOMA – UNION PACIFIC/STILLWATER CENTRAL RAILROAD – Relocation of UP Main line - To participate in a joint project involving the relocation of certain rail lines of UP near the Fort Sill Military Reservation (FSMR) at Fort Sill, OK. The transaction was scheduled to be consummated on or after December 2, 2003. The purpose of the joint relocation project is to permit the reconstruction of the wye tracks providing access to FSMR to accommodate larger rail cars. To allow the needed reconstruction, UP must remove certain existing main line track and relocate its operations over that track to a parallel line of SLWC. Thus, the joint relocation project notice covers the following actions: (1) SLWC will grant trackage rights to UP (including rights to serve FSMR) over SLWC's line extending from SLWC milepost 624.65 near Fort Sill, OK, to SLWC milepost 628.0 near Lawton, OK, a distance of  approximately 3.35 miles; and (2) UP will abandon and remove approximately 1.04 miles of its line between UP milepost 48.56 and UP milepost 49.60 near Fort Sill, OK. UP and SLWC state that the proposed project will not disrupt service to shippers. They also state that the relocated line and trackage rights will not involve an expansion of service by either carrier into a new territory, but rather, will enable UP to continue to serve FSMR once its line is abandoned and removed. (STB Finance Docket No. 34439, decided December 9, served December 16, 2003)

ALABAMA – PINE BELT SOUTHERN RAILROAD CO – To abandon a 17.4-mile line of railroad between milepost T-322.40 at Roanoke Junction and milepost T-339.66 at Lafayette, in Lee and Chambers Counties, AL. It includes the station of Opelika. Effective on January 21, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-601 (Sub-No. 1X, decided December 10, served December 22, 2003)

ILLINOIS/MISSOURI - CITY OF VENICE - To abandon its entire 2.00-mile line of railroad, between milepost 0.55 near Branch Street Yard in St. Louis, MO, and milepost 0.0 at the state line at Venice, IL, and milepost 0.00 at Venice and milepost 1.45 at McKinley Junction, IL. Effective on January 28, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-863X, decided December 18, served December 29, 2003)