2004

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

2004

(Page updated December 24, 2004 - last abandonment notice served December 23, 2004)

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

FLORIDA – SEMINOLE GULF RAILWAY, L.P. - To abandon an approximately 12.43-mile portion of its Venice Branch between milepost SW 892 outside the city limits of the City of Sarasota, and milepost 904.4 near the City of Venice, in Sarasota County, FL. The line includes a ``wye'' and stub at approximately milepost SW 904.2 and side tracks. The line includes the stations of Laurel (milepost SW 900), Nakomis (milepost SW 902), and Venice (milepost SW 904). A final decision will be issued by April 2, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-400 (Sub-No. 3X, decided December 22, 2003, served January 2, 2004)

NEW JERSEY – CONRAIL - To abandon a portion of a line of railroad known as the Sayreville Running Track, between milepost 10.85+/- and milepost 11.31+/- in the Township of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, NJ, a distance of 0.46+/- miles. Effective on February 4, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-167 (Sub-No. 1184X, decided December 23, 2003, served January 5, 2004)

WEST VIRGINIA – CSX - To abandon a line of railroad. The 14.3-mile line extends from milepost BAJ 0.0 at Rowlesburg to milepost BAJ 14.3 near Albright in Preston County, WV. The line includes the stations of Manheim, Stoer, Patriot Presentation Plant, Preston, Morgans Run, Caddell, and Albright. A final decision will be issued by April 9, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 625X, decided December 31, 2003, served January 9, 2004)

PENNSYLVANIA – PENNSYLVANIA LINES LLC - To abandon a .34-mile line of railroad, extending from milepost 34.51 to milepost 34.85 at Coatesville, in Chester County, PA. Effective on February 8, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-859X, decided January 6, served January 9, 2004)

NORTH CAROLINA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN - To abandon a segment at the end of its line of railroad known as the old R-Line. The 1.95-mile segment extends from Milepost old R-3.00 to Milepost old R-4.95, in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC. A final decision will be issued by April 9, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 247X, decided January 6, served January 12, 2004)

ALABAMA – ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD CO. - To abandon a 1.03-mile line of railroad between milepost 3.67 and milepost 4.7 in Prichard, Mobile County, AL. effective on February 11, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-43 (Sub-No. 175X, decided January 6, served January 12, 2004)

VERMONT – LAMOILLE VALLEY RALROAD CO – To abandon approximately 96.78 miles of rail line in Caledonia, Washington, Orleans, Lamoille, and Franklin Counties, VT. The rail lines to be abandoned are: (1) Between approximately milepost 0.057 (SJLC valuation station 3+00) in St. Johnsbury, VT, and approximately milepost 95.324 (SJLC valuation station 5033+10) in Swanton, VT, a distance of approximately 95.26 miles; and (2) the Hardwick and Woodbury Connecting Track (H&W) between approximately H&W valuation station 0+00 (Granite Junction) and approximately H&W valuation station 80+48 (Buffalo Road), a distance of approximately 1.52 miles, in Hardwick, VT (collectively, the line).\1\ LVRC also seeks to discontinue trackage rights over the former Central Vermont Railway, Inc. (CVR) line between approximately milepost 9.9 at the north abutment of the Missisquoi River Bridge at Sheldon Junction and approximately milepost 27.4 at Richford (the Richford Subdivision),\2\ in Franklin County, VT. The line is owned by the State of Vermont (State) by and through the State of Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). Effective on February 17, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-444 (Sub-No. 1X, decided January 12, served January 16, 2004)

KENTUCKY – NORFOLK SOUTHERN - To abandon a 8.74-mile line of railroad between milepost WP-2.20 at Toler and milepost WP-10.94 at Peg, in Pike County, KY. Effective on February 26, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 244X, decided January 20, served January 27, 2004)

KENTUCKY – CSX - To abandon approximately 9.1 miles of railroad between milepost COQ-1.0 at McNalley and milepost COQ-10.1 near East David, in Floyd County, KY.  The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 41653 and 41616. The stations on the line are located at McNally, Samson, Joyce, Marie, Permele, Beverly Ann and David. Effective on March 10, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 645X, decided February 2, served February 9, 2004)

PENNSYLVANIA – PENNSYLVANIA LINES LLC/NORFOLK SOUTHERN - To discontinue service over, a 3.7-mile line of railroad between milepost EK-53.0 at Hellertown and milepost EK-56.7 at Bethlehem, in Northampton, PA. Effective on March 11, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-859 (Sub-No. 1X) and STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 245X, decided February 4, served February 10, 2004)

MINNESOTA – HENNEPIN COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY - To abandon a 43.9+/-mile line of railroad, between milepost 24.6+/-near Wayzata and milepost 68.5+/-in Hutchinson, in McLeod, Carver and Hennepin Counties, MN. Effective on March 11, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-864X, decided February 2, served February 10, 2004)

ILLINOIS – NORFOLK SOUTHERN - To discontinue service over a 30.4-mile line of railroad between milepost UM-47.9 at or near Mansfield and milepost UM-78.3 at or near Bloomington, in McLean, Dewitt and Piatt Counties, IL. Effective on March 12, 2004.( STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 249X, decided February 4, served February 11, 2004)

WASHINGTON – YAKIMA INTERURBAN LINES ASSOCIATION - On January 27, 2004, Kershaw Sunnyside Ranches, Inc. (Kershaw) filed an adverse application requesting that the Surface Transportation Board authorize the abandonment by Yakima Interurban Lines Association (YILA) of a portion of the Naches Line, which consists of approximately 11.29 miles of rail line between mileposts 2.97 at Fruitvale, WA, and milepost 14.26 at Naches, WA. The portion to be abandoned is an approximately one-mile segment of the line that crosses Kershaw's property. comments concerning the proposed abandonment or protests (including protestant's entire opposition case) by March 12, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-600. decided February 6, 2004, served February 13, 2004)

MASSACHUTTES – BOSTON & MAINE/SPRINGFIELD TERMINAL RAILWAY CO. - Boston & Maine to abandon and Springfield Terminal to discontinue service over a line of railroad, known as the Tewksbury Branch, extending from milepost 0.0 to milepost .75, in Middlesex County, MA. effective on March 17, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-32 (Sub-No. 97X); STB Docket No. AB-355 (Sub-No. 29X, decided February 5, served February 13, 2004)

NEW YORK – DELAWARE AND HUDSON RAILWAY COMPANY, INC, dba CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY - To abandon a 1.3 mile line of railroad known as the Troy Branch extending from milepost T1.81  at Green Island to milepost T3.11  at Cohoes, in Albany County, NY. Effective on March 19, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-156 (Sub-No. 24X, decided February 9, served February 18, 2004)

WASHINGTON – BNSF - To abandon a line of railroad between Engineering Station 87 + 62 and Engineering Station 84 + 26 in Seattle, King County, WA, a distance of 336 feet. Effective on March 26, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 407X, decided February 17, served February 25, 2004)

KANSAS – BNSF – To abandon a line of railroad between BNSF milepost 0.62 and milepost 3.50, near South Hutchinson, in Reno County, KS, a distance of approximately 2.88 miles. Effective on April 10, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 406X, decided March 3, served March 11, 2004)

FLORIDA – FLORIDA WEST COAST RAILROAD COMPANY, INC. –To abandon and discontinue service over an approximately 13-mile line of railroad extending from milepost 734.0, in Trenton, to milepost 721.0, in Newberry, in Alachua and Gilchrist Counties, FL. A final decision will be issued by June 14, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-347 (Sub-No. 3X, decided March 11, served March 16, 2004)

FLORIDA – CSX - To abandon a line of railroad in its Southern Region, Jacksonville Division, Clearwater Subdivision, extending from milepost SY 893.80 to milepost SY 895.65, a distance of approximately 1.85 miles, in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, FL. A final decision will be issued by June 18, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 646X, decided March 15, served March 19, 2004)

NEBRASKA – BNSF - To abandon a 15.60-mile line of railroad between BNSF milepost 1.90, near Aurora, and milepost 17.50, near Central City, in Hamilton and Merrick Counties, NE. effective on April 21, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 408X, decided March 12, served March 22, 2004)

CALIFORNIA – UNION  PACIFIC – To discontinue service and trackage rights over two segments of a rail line known as the Paramount Industrial Lead, owned by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Orange County Transportation Authority. The line segments extend: (1) Between milepost 495.18 and milepost 495.83 northwest of the intersection of Garfield and Rosecrans; and (2) between milepost 497.11 near Crutcher and milepost 507.87 in North Stanton, for a total distance of 11.41 miles in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, CA. Effective on April 30, 2004. ([STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 212X, decided March 24, served March 31, 2004)

ARKANSAS – BNSF - To abandon and discontinue service over a 4.50-mile line of railroad between milepost 397.78 in Hoxie, and milepost 402.28, in Walport, and the 2.20-mile Walnut Ridge Industrial Spur, a total distance of 6.70 miles, in Lawrence County, AR. Effective on May 26, 2004. ([STB Docket No. AB 6 (Sub-No. 411X, decided April 19, served April 26, 2004)

WASHINGTON – BNSF - To abandon and discontinue service over a 5.80-mile line of railroad between milepost 3.27 in Quadlock and milepost 9.07 in Olympia, in Thurston County, WA. Effective on May 26, 2004. ([STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 410X, decided April 19, served April 26, 2004)

MISSISSIPPI – MISSISSIPPI TENNESSEE HOLDINGS, LLC./MISSISSIPPI TENNESSEE RAILROAD LLC. - To abandon and MTR seeks to discontinue service over a line of railroad extending from milepost 324.2 near New Albany and the end of the line at milepost 281.0 near Houston, MS, a distance of 43.2 miles in Union, Pontotoc and Chickasaw Counties, MS. The line includes stations located at Pontotoc, Houlka and Houston, MS. A final decision will be issued by July 26, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-868X; 869X, decided April 19, served April 27, 2004)

NORTH CAROLINA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY CO. - To abandon a 7.3-mile line of railroad between milepost NS-82.7 at Mackeys, and milepost NS-90.0 at Plymouth, in Washington County, NC. The line segment includes the stations of Mackeys and Plymouth. A final decision will be issued by July 26, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 248X), decided April 19, served April 27, 2004)

MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN RAILWAY CO. - To abandon approximately 1.3 miles of its line of railroad known as the Second Street Track located in Kansas City, Jackson County, MO. The line consists of two segments: (1) The first segment extends from milepost 0+/-, located in an unused rail yard, to milepost +5188'+/-, at the crossing of the Second Street Track and a Union Pacific Railroad Company line, a distance of approximately 0.98 miles; and (2) the second segment branches off northwest from the first segment between Main Street and Grand Avenue at milepost 0-W of that line, and continues west to approximately milepost 0+1518'-W at the east end of railroad bridge B-1-W. A final decision will be issued by July 27, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-103 (Sub-No. 17X, decided April 20, served April 28, 2004)

KANSAS – BNSF - To abandon and discontinue service over a 39.95-mile line of railroad between milepost 167.78 near Superior, NE, and milepost 127.83 near Reynolds, NE, in Jefferson, Thayer and Nuckolls Counties, NE, and Republic County, KS. The line includes the stations of Hardy, Byron, Chester, Hubbell, and Reynolds. A final decision will be issued by July 27, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 409X, decided April 19, served April 28, 2004)

CALIFORNIA – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon and discontinue service over a line of railroad known as the Yuba City Industrial Lead, extending from milepost 136.38 near Marysville, CA, to milepost 139.77 near Colusa Junction, CA, a distance of 3.39 miles, in Sutter County, CA. A final decision will be issued by August 6, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 205X, decided April 29, served May 10, 2004)

KANSAS – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon a 5.30-mile line of railroad known as the Vliets Industrial Lead, extending from milepost 409.10, near Frankfort, to milepost 403.80, near Vliets, in Marshall County, KS. A final decision will be issued by August 9, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 172X, decided May 4, served May 11, 2004)

SOUTH CAROLINA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY CO. – To abandon and discontinue service over a 4.5-mile line of railroad between milepost AB-1.5 at Escambia Junction and milepost AB-6.0 at Trenton, in Edgefield County, SC. Effective on June 17, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 253X, decided May 11, served May 18, 2004)

NORTH DAKOTA – BNSF – To abandon a 20.93-mile line of railroad between BNSF milepost 74.07 near Langdon and milepost 95.00 near Hannah, in Cavalier County, ND. Effective on June 22, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 415X, decided May 18, served May 21, 2004)

CALIFORNIA – BNSF – To to abandon and discontinue service over a 33.77-mile line of railroad between milepost 0.00 near Lookout, and milepost 33.77 near Hambone, in Modoc and Siskiyou Counties, CA. Effective on June 22, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 414X, decided May 12, served May 21, 2004)

MINNESOTA – BNSF – To abandon a 15.91-mile line of railroad between milepost 18.09 near Glyndon and milepost 34.00 near Felton, in Clay County, MN. Effective on June 24, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 417X, decided May 18, served May 25, 2004)

NORTH DAKOTA – BNSF – To abandon and discontinue service over a 15.50-mile line of railroad between milepost 52.00 near Souris, and milepost 67.50, near Westhope, in Bottineau County, ND. Effective on June 24, 2004. (STB Docket No AB-6 (Sub-No. 416X, decided May 17, served May 25, 2004)

OKLAHOMA – BNSF – To abandon a 4.14-mile line of railroad between BNSF milepost 138.00 and milepost 142.14 in Ponca City, Kay County, OK. Effective on June 29, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 412X, decided May 20, served May 28, 2004)

MINNESOTA – BNSF – To abandon a 0.99-mile line of railroad between BNSF milepost 11.81 and milepost 12.80 in Stillwater, Washington County, MN. Effective on June 29, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 413X, decided May 20, served May 28, 2004)

KENTUCKY – CSX – To to abandon a line of railroad in its Southern Region, Nashville Division, Henderson Subdivision, between Moorman (milepost 0HE 118.8) and Wilson Station (milepost 0HE 114.2), a distance of 4.6 miles, in Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties, KY. Effective on June 29, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 648X, decided May 20, served May 28, 2004)

WISCONSIN – WISCONSIN CENTRAL LTD. – To abandon a 0.48-mile line of railroad from milepost 435.35 on Ashland's lakefront and traveling 2,552 feet to a point where it connects to a private spur that used to serve C. Reiss Coal Company in Ashland, Ashland County, WI. Effective on July 3, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-303 (Sub-No. 26X, decided May 27, served June 3, 2004)

NORTH DAKOTA – BNSF – To to abandon and discontinue service over a 3.36-mile line of railroad between milepost 77.14 near Antelope Valley Station, and milepost 80.50, near Zap in Mercer County, ND. Effective on July 6, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 420X, decided May 26, served June 4, 2004)

NORTH DAKOTA – BNSF – To abandon and discontinue service over a 4.69-mile line of railroad between milepost 22.00 near Walum, and milepost 17.31 near Dazey, in Griggs and Barnes Counties, ND. Effective on July 6, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 419X, decided May 25, served June 4, 2004)

ARKANSAS/LOUISIANA – DELTA SOUTHERN RAILROAD, INC. – To abandon a 30.0-mile portion of its Lake Providence Line, between milepost 433.0, near Lake Village, AR, and milepost 463.0, near Shelburn, LA. Effective on July 10, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-384 (Sub-No. 1X, decided June 3, served June 10, 2004)

COLORADO – UNION PACIFIC – To abandon a 1.12-mile portion of its Monfort Industrial Lead between milepost 141.12 and milepost 140.00 near Kersey, in Weld County, CO. A final decision will be issued by October 1, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 216X, decided June 18, served June 29, 2004)

MINNESOTA – BNSF – To abandon a 1.60-mile line of railroad extending from milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.60 in and near Brainerd, in Crow Wing County, MN. A final decision will be issued by October 1, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 421X, decided June 24, served July 2, 2004)

KANSAS – BUTLER COUNTY – To abandon its entire 10.6-mile line of railroad, between milepost 483.62, at Augusta, and milepost 494.22, near Andover, in Butler County, KS. The County acquired the line by donation from The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company in 2002. Effective on August 4, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-870X, decided June 24, served July 2, 2004)

WASHINGTON – BNSF – To abandon and discontinue service over a 0.99-mile line of railroad between milepost 38.01 and milepost 39.00 in Snohomish, Snohomish County, WA. Effective on August 4, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 422X, decided June 23, served July 2, 2004)

FLORIDA – SEMINOLE GULF RAILWAY, L.P. – To a portion of the Baker Spur, which consists of a rail line beginning at engineering station 36+35+-, which is approximately 100 feet southwest of where the line crosses Alico Road, directly west of Alico Center Road, approximately 1 mile east of U.S. Hwy. 41, and parallel to Alico Road station 79+00, continuing across Alico Road and then running parallel to and north of Alico Road for approximately 4,260 feet to the eastern terminus of the line at engineering station 79+95.\1\.\1\ Originally the proposed abandonment began approximately 300 feet to the west of Alico Road station 79+00 at Alico Road Station 76+00, but to accommodate nearby shipper Florida Power and Light's (FP&L) use of the Baker Spur, Lee County has moved the western terminus of the abandonment to Alico Road Station 79+00. No effective date given. (STB Docket No. AB-400 (Sub-No. 4, decided June 28, served July 6, 2004)

CALIFORNIA – UNION PACIFIC – To abandon a 1.62-mile line of railroad known as the Spreckles Industrial Lead from milepost 121.5 near Spreckles Junction to milepost 123.12 at the end of the line at Spreckles, in Monterey County, CA. Effective on August 10, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 217X, decided July 1, served July 9, 2004)

MASSACHEUTTES – SPRINGFIELD TERMINAL RAILWAY CO. – To abandon a 4.8-mile line of railroad known as the Westover Industrial Track extending from milepost 0.0 to milepost 4.8 in Chicopee, Hampden County, MA. effective on August 12, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-355 (Sub-No. 30X, decided July 2, served July 13, 2004)

SOUTH CAROLINA – CSX – To abandon a 1.49-mile line of the Southern Region, Florence Division, Hamlet Subdivision, between milepost SJ 306.13 (V.S. 387+15) and milepost 307.39 (V.S. 465+62.5), in Darlington County, SC. Effective on August 6, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 647X, decided June 29, served July 14, 2004.

IOWA – BNSF – To abandon a 1.88-mile line of railroad, extending from milepost 67.38 to milepost 1.45, near Des Moines, in Polk County, IA. Effective on August 17, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 401X, decided July 9, served July 16, 2004)

NORTH CAROLINA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN/ NORTH CAROLINA & VIRGINIA RAILWAY COMPANY, INC. – To abandon, and for NCVA to discontinue service under a lease from NSR over, a 0.33-mile line of railroad between approximately milepost NS-73.67 and milepost NS-74.00 in Edenton, Chowan County, NC. effective on August 17, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 251X) and Docket No. AB-866X, decided July 9, served July 16, 2004)

KANSAS – UNION PACIFIC/ KANSAS & OKLAHOMA RAILROAD INC. – To to abandon and K&O seeks to discontinue service over a line of railroad extending from milepost 664.5, near Healy, to milepost 606.0, near McCracken, a distance of 58.5 miles in Lane, Ness and Rush Counties, KS. The line includes stations located at Shields, Pendennis, Utica, Arnold, Ransom, Osgood and Brownell, KS. A final decision will be issued by October 15, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 214X), AB-853 (Sub-No. 2X, decided July 9, served July 19, 2004)

NEW YORK – NEW YORK AND EASTERN RAILWAY, LLC/CSX/ NEW YORK CENTRAL LINES, LLC – For NY&E and CSXT to discontinue service over and for NYC to abandon an approximately 4.7-mile line of railroad between milepost QCO 0.0 and milepost QCO 3.2 and between milepost QCK 29.5 and milepost QCK 31.0, in the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, NY. A final decision will be issued by October 15, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-873X, AB-55 (Sub-No. 652X), AB-565 (Sub-No. 17X, decided July 13, served July 19, 2004)

WISCONSIN – WISCONSIN CENTRAL LTD. – To abandon a line of railroad, known as the Plymouth Line, extending from milepost 114.8 near Saukville to milepost 151.8 near Kiel, a distance of approximately 37 miles in Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Manitowoc Counties, WI. The line includes stations at Fredonia, Random Lake, Adell, Waldo, Plymouth, and Elkhart Lake. A final decision will be issued by October 18, 2004. ([STB Docket No. AB-303 (Sub-No. 27. decided July 14, served July 20, 2004)

IOWA – UNION PACIFIC – To abandon a line of railroad known as the Perry Subdivision extending from milepost 296.8 near Waukee, IA, to milepost 275.9 (Equation milepost 275.9 = 361.8) near Perry, IA, and from milepost 361.8 to milepost 369.0 near Dawson, IA, a total distance of 28.1 miles in Dallas County, IA. A final decision will be issued by October 25, 2004. ([STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 213X, decided July 19, served July 27, 2004)

ALL STATES - CLASS EXEMPTION FOR EXPEDITED ABANDONMENT PROCEDURE FOR CLASS II AND CLASS III RAILROADS. (I’m putting this on the Railroad Abandonment page because the outcome of this hearing may change the way abandonment notices are released, plus it lists the 65 Class II and Class III railroads that partitioned the STB for this rule change)
    The Surface Transportation Board (Board) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, August 11, 2004, at its offices in Washington, DC, to provide interested persons an opportunity to express their views on the subject of the Board's abandonment regulations for Class II and Class III rail carriers.
   The Board's regulations divide railroads into three classes based on annual carrier operating revenues. Class I railroads are those with annual carrier operating revenues of $250 million or more (in 1991 dollars); Class II railroads are those with annual carrier operating revenues of more than $20 million but less than $250 million (in 1991 dollars); and Class III railroads are those with annual carrier operating revenues of $20 million or less (in 1991 dollars).
   On May 15, 2003, sixty-five short-line and regional carriers (petitioners) \2\ filed a petition to institute a proceeding under 49 U.S.C. 10502 to exempt a class of small carriers from the prior approval abandonment requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10903. Petitioners included a detailed proposal including revised rules for 49 CFR 1152.50 (exempt abandonments) and 1152.27 (offers of financial assistance). The Board will hold a public hearing to provide a forum for the expression of views by rail shippers, railroads, and other interested persons, on this and other proposed changes to the Board's abandonment regulations as they relate to Class II and Class III rail carriers. This hearing will provide a forum for the oral discussion of the proposed class exemption and any proposals that interested persons might wish to offer to amend the abandonment regulations.
   The sixty-five carriers are: Allegheny & Eastern Railroad, Inc.; Bradford Industrial Rail, Inc.; Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc.; Carolina Coastal Railway, Inc.; Commonwealth Railway, Inc.; Chicago SouthShore & South Bend Railroad; Chattahoochee & Gulf Railroad Co., Inc.; Connecuh Valley Railroad Co., Inc.; Corpus Christi Terminal Railroad, Inc.; The Dansville & Mount Morris Railroad Company; Eastern Idaho Railroad, Inc.; Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Company; Golden Isles Terminal Railroad, Inc.; H&S Railroad Co., Inc.; Illinois Indiana Development Company, LLC; Illinois & Midland Railroad Company, Inc.; Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, Inc.; Knoxville & Holston River Railroad Co., Inc.; Lancaster and Chester Railway Company; Laurinburg & Southern Railroad Co., Inc.; Louisiana & Delta Railroad, Inc.; Louisville & Indiana Railroad Company; Minnesota Prairie Line, Inc.; Montana Rail Link, Inc.; New York & Atlantic Railway Company; Pacific Harbor Line, Inc.; Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad, Inc.; Pennsylvania Southwestern Railroad, Inc.; Piedmont & Atlantic Railroad Inc.; Pittsburgh & Shawmut Railroad, Inc.; Portland & Western Railroad, Inc.; Rochester & Southern Railroad, Inc.; Rocky Mount & Western Railroad Co., Inc.; St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad Company; Salt Lake City Southern Railroad Company; Savannah Port Terminal Railroad, Inc.; South Buffalo Railway Company; South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad Company; Stillwater Central Railroad; Talleyrand Terminal Railroad, Inc.; Three Notch Railroad Co., Inc.; Timber Rock Railroad, Inc.; Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company; Utah Railway Company; Willamette & Pacific Railroad, Inc.; Wiregrass Central Railroad Company, Inc.;
York Railway Company; AN Railway, LLC; Atlantic and Western Railway, Limited Partnership; Bay Line Railroad, LLC; Central Midland Railway; Copper Basin Railway, Inc.; East Tennessee Railway, L.P.; Galveston Railroad, L.P.; Georgia Central Railway, L.P.; The Indiana Rail Road Company; KWT Railway, Inc.; Little Rock & Western Railway, L.P.; M & B Railroad, L.L.C.; Tomahawk Railway, Limited Partnership; Valdosta Railway, L.P.; Western Kentucky Railway, LLC; Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company; Wilmington Terminal Railroad, L.P.; and Yolo Shortline Railroad Company. (STB Ex Parte No. 647, served July 27, 2004)

IDAHO – GREAT NORTHERN RAILROAD, INC. – To abandon a line of railroad extending from milepost 3.5, at Orofino, ID, to milepost 31.0, near Jaype, ID, a distance of  approximately 27.5 miles, in Clearwater County, ID. A final decision will be issued by November 1, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-872X, decided July 26, served August 3, 2004)

KENTUCKY – CSX – To abandon a segment at the end of its line of railroad in its Southern Region, Huntington Division, Big Sandy Subdivision, also known as the Beaver Creek Spur. The 1.43-mile segment extends from milepost CMH 0.00 near Dunleary to the end of the line at milepost CMH 1.43, all in Pike County, KY. The line includes the stations of Praise Dock, Little Beaver, and Little Beaver Dock. A final decision will be issued by November 2, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 653X, decided July 28, served August 4, 2004)

WYOMING – WYOMING & COLORADO RAILROAD COMPANY, INC. – To abandon a 23.71-mile line of railroad between milepost 0.57, near Walcott and milepost 24.28, at Saratoga, in Carbon County, WY. A final decision will be issued by November 10, 2004. ([STB Docket No. AB-307 (Sub-No. 5X, decided August 4, served August 12, 2004.

INDIANA – HONEY CREEK RAILROAD, INC. – To abandon its entire approximately 5.9-mile line of railroad, between Sulphur Springs and New Castle, in Henry County, IN. Effective on September 21, 2004. ([STB Docket No. AB-865X, decided August 16, served August 20, 2004)

CALIFORNIA – UNION PACIFIC – To abandon and discontinue service over a portion of the line, known as the San Jose Industrial Lead, extending from milepost 16.3 to milepost 19.6, for a distance of 3.3 miles, in Santa Clara County, CA. The line includes the station of San Jose. A final decision will be issued by November 26, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 221X, decided August 24, served August 30, 2004)

VERMONT – TWIN STATE RAILROAD COMPANY – To abandon approximately 20 route miles of rail line between milepost 0.057 in St. Johnsbury and Railroad Engineering Station 5503 at River Road (Town Road) in Lunenburg (Gilman), in Caledonia and Essex Counties, VT. Effective on October 6, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-862X, decided August 27, served September 3, 2004.

WEST VIRGINIA – CSX – To abandon a 10.02-mile line of railroad in its Southern Region, Huntington Division, Buffalo Subdivision, extending from milepost CLU 6.3 at Franco to the end of the line at milepost CLU 16.32 near Saunders, in Logan County, WV. Effective on October 20, 2004. ([STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 607X, decided September 10, served September 20, 2004)

WASHINGTON DC – CSX  - To discontinue service over an approximately 6.0-mile rail line of the Northern Region, Baltimore Division, Capital Subdivision, between Shepherd Junction, milepost BAZ 0.02, and the end of track, milepost BAZ 6.0, in Washington, DC. Effective on October 20, 2004. ([STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 654X, decided September 10, served September 20, 2004)

KENTUCKY – R.. J. CORMAN EQUIPMENT COMPANY, LLC/R. J. CORMAN RAILROAD COMPAN/BARDSTOWN LINE – R.J. Corman Equipment Company, LLC (RJCE) and (2) R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Bardstown Line (RJCR) jointly filed with the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903.\1\ RCJE seeks to abandon and RJCR seeks to discontinue service on, a line of railroad known as the Dawkins Line, extending from milepost 0.05 at Dawkins, KY, to the end of the track at milepost 36.13 near Evanston, KY, a distance of approximately 36.08 miles in Johnson, Magoffin and Breathitt Counties, KY. The line includes the stations of Paintsville, Ivyton, Royalton, Magoffin and Skyline. A final decision will be issued by December 23, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-876X and AB-875X, decided September 21, served September 27, 2004)

KANSAS – BNSF - To abandon a 25.57-mile line of railroad between BNSF milepost 0.00 near Neva and milepost 25.45 near Lost Springs, in Chase, Morris, Marion and Dickinson Counties, KS. Effective on October 29, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 425X, decided September 21, served September 29, 2004)

TEXAS – BNSF - To abandon 20.89 miles of rail line between BNSF milepost 66.95 in Bay City and milepost 54.00 near Cane Junction and between milepost 0.00 near Cane Junction and milepost 7.94 near Newgulf, in Matagorda and Wharton Counties, TX. Effective on October 29, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 426X, decided September 22, served September 29, 2004)

KANSAS – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon a line of railroad known as the St. Joseph Industrial Lead, extending from milepost 2.52 near Elwood to milepost 33.60 near Robinson, a distance of 30.98 miles in Brown and Doniphan Counties, KS (13.9 = 14.0). A final decision will be issued by December 30, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 220X, decided September 24, served October 1, 2004)

CALIFORNIA - STOCKTON TERMINAL AND EASTERN RAILROAD – To abandon approximately 3,600 feet of rail line extending from the west edge of North Duncan Road to the end of the line near North Wall Road, in Linden, San Joaquin County, CA. Effective on November 17, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-812X, decided October 8, served October 18, 2004)

VIRGINIA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY CO - To abandon an approximately 33.8-mile line of railroad between milepost N-134.10 near Burkeville and milepost 167.90 near Pamplin City, in Nottoway, Prince Edward, Cumberland, and Appomattox Counties, VA. The line includes the stations of Rice, Farmville, and Prospect. Service will continue to the stations of Burkeville and Pamplin. A final decision will be issued by January 18, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 252X, decided October 13, served October 20, 2004)

NEW YORK – DELAWARE AND HUDSON RAILWAY CO - To discontinue overhead trackage rights over approximately 229.55 miles of railroad line owned and operated by Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) between Lanesboro, PA, and Buffalo, NY. The specific lines proposed for discontinuance by D&H include: (1) NSR's line between milepost 189.8 in Lanesboro, PA, and CP Coles at milepost 210.9 in Binghamton, NY; (2) NSR's Southern Tier Line between milepost 217.0 in Binghamton, NY, and milepost 419.8 in Buffalo, NY; (3) NSR's Bison Running Track between the point of connection with the Southern Tier Line at milepost 419.8 and the point of connection with the lines of CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) at milepost 423.3 in Buffalo, NY (including NSR's SK Yard, which D&H currently operates under an agreement between D&H and Consolidated Rail Corporation dated as of February 1, 1984), a distance of approximately 3.5 miles; and (4) NSR's Howard Street Running Track between the point of connection with the Bison Running Track at milepost 420.15 and the point of connection with the lines of CSXT at milepost 422.3, a distance of approximately 2.15 miles. D&H will retain trackage rights over NSR's line between milepost 210.9 and milepost 217.0 in Binghamton, NY, because D&H requires the use of that segment for ongoing operations in the Binghamton terminal area. A final decision will be issued by January 19, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-156 (Sub No. 25X, decided October 13, served October 21, 2004)

NORTH DAKOTA – SOO LINE RAILROAD CO. - To abandon a 28.35  mile line of railroad between milepost 446.0  in Devils Lake, Ramsey County, ND, and milepost 474.35  in Harlow, Benson County, ND. Effective on November 23, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-57 (Sub-No. 54X, decided October 18, served October 22, 2004)

NORTH DAKOTA – BNSF - To abandon a 6.50-mile line of railroad between BNSF milepost 0.00 near Hannah Junction and milepost 6.50 near McCanna, in Grand Forks County, ND. Effective November 23, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 418X, decided October 12, served October 22, 2004)

NORTH DAKOTA – RED RIVER VALLEY AND WESTERN RAILROAD CO. – To abandon approximately 27.76 miles of rail line from approximately milepost 21.4 in or near Carrington, ND, to the end of the line at approximately milepost 29.16 in or near Bowdon, ND. RRVW states that it has used the subject line to store cars for off-line shippers during the preceding 2 years. RRVW points out that use of a rail line to store rail cars for the convenience of off-line shippers or the railroad is not traffic originating or terminating on the line within the meaning of 49 CFR 1152.50(b). Effective on December 3, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-391 (Sub-No. 10X, decided October 27, served November 3, 2004)

MICHIGAN - LAKE SUPERIOR & ISHPEMING RAILROAD COMPANY – To abandon a segment of a line of railroad known as the Republic Subdivision, extending from Humboldt Jct. (milepost 85.6) south approximately 8.9 miles to the end of track at Republic Mine (milepost 94.5), in Marquette County, MI. The line includes the stations of Humboldt Jct., Humboldt, and Republic Mine. A final decision will be issued by January 14, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-68 (Sub-No. 4X, decided October 26, served November 5, 2004)

MONTANA – BNSF - To abandon a 43.41-mile line of railroad extending between milepost 7.00 near Glendive and milepost 50.41 in Circle, in Dawson and McCone Counties, MT. Effective on December 7, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 424X, decided October 27, served November 5, 2004)

WISCONSIN – SOO LINE RAILROAD CO. - To abandon a 5-mile line of railroad known as the West Allis Line, extending from milepost 88.2 +/- near the State Highway 41 crossing in Milwaukee to milepost 93.2 +/- near North 123rd Street in Wauwatosa, in Milwaukee County, WI. A final decision will be issued by February 8, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-57 (Sub-No. 55X, decided November 3, served November 10, 2004)

PENNSYLVANIA – NORFORK SOUTHERN RAILWAY CO. - To abandon a 0.8-mile line of railroad between milepost 18.92 and milepost 19.72 at Downingtown, in Chester County, PA. Effective on December 18, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 256X, decided November 12, served November 18, 2004)

ILLINOIS – NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY CO. – To abandon an approximately 0.18-mile line of railroad extending between approximately milepost UM 28.50 and milepost UM 28.68 in Urbana, Champaign County, IL. Effective on December 30, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 250X, decided November 18, served November 30, 2004)

VIRGINIA – NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY CO. – To discontinue service over a 13.71-mile rail line between milepost VB 1.75 at Tidewater Junction in the City of Norfolk and milepost VB 15.46 at Oldfield in the City of Virginia Beach, VA. Effective on December 30, 2004. (STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 258X, decided November 23, served November 30, 2004)

CALIFORNIA – SIERRA PACIFIC INDUSTRIES - SPI seeks to abandon and SierraPine seeks to discontinue service over a line of railroad extending from milepost 0.0 at Ione, CA, to the end of the line at milepost 12.0 at Martell, CA. The line includes stations at Ione and Martell. A final decision will be issued by March 2, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-512X and STB Docket No. AB-880X, decided November 23, served December 2, 2004)

TEXAS – TEXAS NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY CO. - To abandon approximately 21.9 miles of its line of railroad known as the Capps Spur located in Moore, Hutchinson, and Hansford Counties, TX. The line extends from milepost 20.0 at Capps, TX, through milepost 29.9 at Morse, Junction, TX, to the end of the track at milepost 34.0 in Morse, TX (14.0 miles), and from milepost 29.9 at Morse Junction to the end of the track at milepost 37.8 in Pringle, TX (7.9 miles). Effective on January 13, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-281 (Sub-No. 1X, decided December 8, served December 14, 2004)

FLORIDA - FLORIDA CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY, INC. - To abandon a 3.4-mile line of railroad known as the Forest City Spur, between milepost F-4.5 at Toronto, and the end of the track at milepost F-1.1 in Forest City, in Seminole and Orange Counties, FL. effective on January 13, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-319 (Sub-No. 4X, decided December 6, served December 14, 2004)

IDAHO – UNION PACIFIC - To abandon a 5.25-mile line of railroad known as the Coeur'd Alene Inustrial Lead from milepost 2.25 near Feeley Spur to milepost 7.50 near Gibbs, in Kootenai County, ID. Effective on January 15, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 218X, decided December 10, served December 16, 2004.)

CALIFORNIA - SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY - SUNSET RAILWAY COMPANY - Sunset Railway Company (SRY) and San Joaquin Valley Railroad Company (SJVR) (collectively, applicants) have filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1152 subpart F--Exempt Abandonments and Discontinuances of Service \1\ for SRY to abandon and for SJVR to discontinue service over a 16.3-mile line of railroad, known as the Sunset Subdivision, extending between west of Levee, milepost 20.0, and Taft, milepost 36.3, in Kern County, CA. Effective on January 20, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-398 (Sub-No. 9X, decided December 14, served December 21, 2004.)

CALIFORNIA – SIERRA NORTHERN RAILWAY - To abandon an approximately 9.27-mile line of railroad extending from milepost 90.5 in the City of West Sacramento to a point south of Pumphouse Road, in Yolo County, CA. effective on January 25, 2005. (STB Docket No. AB-874X, decided December 16, served December 23, 2004)