[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 117 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33432-33433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16177]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or 
Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the 
Requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236

    Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 235 and 
49 U.S.C. App. 26, the following railroads have petitioned the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance 
or modification of the signal system or relief from the requirements of 
49 CFR Part 236 as detailed below.

Block Signal Application (BS-AP)-No. 3472
Applicants:
    Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company, Mr. William G. 
Peterson, Director Signal Engineering, 4515 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City, 
Kansas 66106
    Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. Phil Abaray, Chief Engineer--
Signals/Quality, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 1000, Omaha, Nebraska 68179-
1000

    Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company and Union Pacific 
Railroad Company, jointly seek approval of the proposed discontinuance 
and removal of the traffic control system, on the single main track, 
between Sherman, Texas, milepost 645.9 and South Sherman, Texas, 
milepost 649.9, on the Texas Division, Madill Subdivision, including 
conversion of three power-operated switches to hand operation, removal 
of all associated signals, and implementation of Track Warrant Control 
Rules as the method of operation.
    The reasons given for the proposed changes are to improve operating 
efficiency and reduce maintenance costs of plants no longer needed.

BS-AP-No. 3473
Applicant: CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. R. M. Kadlick, Chief 
Engineer Train Control, 500 Water Street (S/C J-350), Jacksonville, 
Florida 32202

    CSX Transportation, Incorporated seeks approval of the proposed 
temporary discontinuance of the signal system, on the two main tracks, 
at ``J Tower,'' milepost BI-3.10, in Willard, Ohio, on the Willard 
Terminal Subdivision, Baltimore Service Lane, for approximately 120 
days, and govern train movements by Yard Limit Rules under the 
direction of a Switch Tender. The proposal is associated with major 
modifications in track and signal arrangements, including installation 
of a traffic control system.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is to safely and 
efficiently expedite train movements during construction and cut-over.

BS-AP-No. 3474
Applicant: Wisconsin Central Limited, Mr. Glenn J. Kerbs, Vice 
President Engineering, 3000 Minnesota Avenue, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 
54481

    Wisconsin Central Limited seeks approval of the proposed 
modification of the signal system, on the two main tracks and siding, 
near Slinger, Wisconsin, milepost CM122.60, Chicago Subdivision, 
consisting of the removal of the existing interlocking plant, 
installation of two power-operated switches for the new connection 
tracks

[[Page 33433]]

at the northeast and southwest quadrants, relocation of the east end of 
siding at Slinger to the west out of the curve, and conversion of the 
east and west siding switches to hand operation, equipped with electric 
locks.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is to eliminate the 
blockage of a state highway and traffic in the town of Slinger, 
associated with interchange switching movements. The proposed new 
alignment and construction of a set out track at Ackerville will remove 
switching moves from Slinger.

BS-AP-No. 3475
Applicant: Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company, Mr. 
William G. Peterson, Director Signal Engineering, 4515 Kansas Avenue, 
Kansas City, Kansas 66106

    Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company seeks approval of 
the proposed modification of the traffic control system, on the north 
main track, at milepost 55.7, near Lincoln, Nebraska, on the Nebraska 
Division, Creston Subdivision, consisting of the discontinuance and 
removal of Holding Signal N55.71
    The reason given for the proposed changes is that the upgrade of 
the highway crossing warning devices at milepost 55.8 has eliminated 
the need for Holding Signal N55.71.

BS-AP-No. 3476
Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company, Mr. Phil Abaray, Chief 
Engineer--Signals/Quality, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 1000, Omaha, 
Nebraska 68179-1000

    Union Pacific Railroad Company seeks approval of the proposed 
discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal system, on the 
single main track, between milepost 185 and milepost 195, near Houston, 
Texas, on the Houston Subdivision, consisting of the removal of 
Signals: D (milepost 185.7), 21, 32, 37, 38, 52, 56, 59, 69, 78, 79, 
88, 89, 98, 99, and 108; conversion of Signal 25 to a D signal; 
installation of a new D signal at milepost 188.2; and the establishment 
of Yard Limits as the method of operation.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is that signals are no 
longer required under train operating practices.

BS-AP-No. 3477
Applicant: Paducah & Louisville Railway, Incorporated, Mr. C. D. 
Edwards, General Supervisor of Signals and Structures, 1500 Kentucky 
Avenue, Paducah, Kentucky 42003

    Paducah & Louisville Railway, Incorporated seeks approval of the 
proposed discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal 
system, on the single main track, between Charolais, milepost J154.18 
and Dawson Springs, milepost J163.73, in Hopkins County, Kentucky, 
consisting of the removal of all existing signals in the area, and 
installation of an operative approach signal near milepost J163.8.

BS-AP-No. 3478
Applicant: CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. R. M. Kadlick, Chief 
Engineer Train Control, 500 Water Street (S/C J-350), Jacksonville, 
Florida 32202

    CSX Transportation, Incorporated seeks approval of the proposed 
discontinuance and removal of the automatic block signal system, on the 
single main track, between Ames, Indiana, milepost 00Q-148.4 and 
Greencastle, Indiana, milepost 00Q-176.7, on the Monon Subdivision, 
Chicago Service Lane, and operate exclusively under a Direct Traffic 
Control Block System. The proposal includes the installation of 
operative approach signals at Ames and Greencastle.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is to eliminate 
facilities no longer needed in present day operation.

BS-AP-No. 3479
Applicant: South Orient Railroad Company, LTD., Mr. Roy D. Williams, 
Chief Operating Officer, 210 South Main Street, Brownwood, Texas 76801

    The South Orient Railroad Company, LTD. seeks approval of the 
proposed permanent discontinuance and removal of the traffic control 
system, on the single main track, between Birds Siding, milepost 1.3 
near Fort Worth, Texas, and Rickers, milepost 134.5, near Brownwood, 
Texas, on the Dublin Subdivision.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is that the railroad's 
operation does not warrant a signal system.
    Any interested party desiring to protest the granting of an 
application shall set forth specifically the grounds upon which the 
protest is made, and contain a concise statement of the interest of the 
Protestant in the proceeding. The original and two copies of the 
protest shall be filed with the Associate Administrator for Safety, 
FRA, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Mail Stop 25, Washington, D.C. 20590 
within 30 calendar days of the date of publication of this notice. 
Additionally, one copy of the protest shall be furnished to the 
applicant at the address listed above.
    FRA expects to be able to determine these matters without an oral 
hearing. However, if a specific request for an oral hearing is 
accompanied by a showing that the party is unable to adequately present 
his or her position by written statements, an application may be set 
for public hearing.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on June 9, 1998.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program 
Development.
[FR Doc. 98-16177 Filed 6-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P