Notice2026-01138
Connecticut Southern Railroad, Inc.-Modified Rail Certificate
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 22, 2026
Issuing agencies
Surface Transportation Board
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2822-2823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01138]
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. FD 36893]
Connecticut Southern Railroad, Inc.--Modified Rail Certificate
Connecticut Southern Railroad, Inc. (CSO), a Class III railroad,
has filed a notice for a modified certificate of public convenience and
necessity under 49 CFR part 1150 subpart C--Modified Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity, for CSO to obtain and hold common
carrier authority to operate the Armory Branch Rail Line owned by the
Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT). The Armory Branch
Rail Line is comprised of the following three connecting segments: (1)
beginning in South Windsor, Conn. at approximately Milepost 6.77 and
Station Point 1160+73 on Valuation Map 54.75-22 and continuing
northerly through the Towns of South Windsor and East Windsor to the
point of ending at approximately Milepost 11.99 and Station Point
885+11 on Valuation Map 54.76-17 (First Segment); (2) beginning in East
Windsor, Conn. at approximately Milepost 11.99 and Station Point 885+11
on Valuation Map 54.75-17 and continuing northerly through the Towns of
East Windsor and Enfield to the point of ending at approximately
Milepost 16.59 and Station Point 642+42 on Valuation Map 54.76-13
(Second Segment); and (3) beginning in Enfield, Conn. at approximately
Milepost 16.59 and Station Point 642+42 on Valuation Map 54.76-13 and
continuing northerly through the Town of Enfield to the point of ending
at the Connecticut/Massachusetts State Line at approximately Milepost
20.24 and Station Point 449+63.31 on Valuation Map 54.76-09 (Third
Segment; collectively with the First Second and Second Segment, the
Line).
CSO states CTDOT acquired the Line in three separate transactions,
and notes that these transactions are also set forth in a 1996 Board
decision finding that the Line qualified for operation under a modified
rail certificate. (Notice 2.) See Cent. New England R.R.--Modified
Certificate, Docket No. FD 32769, slip op. at 1 n.2 (STB served Mar.
12, 1996). According to CSO, Conrail abandoned the First Segment, and
CTDOT acquired it on May 11, 1995. (Notice 2-3.) See Conrail Aban. in
Hartford Cnty., Conn., AB 167 (Sub-No. 984N), slip op. at 1 (ICC served
Feb. 23, 1987). CSO further states that CTDOT acquired the Second
Segment from the Penn Central Corporation, and explains that the Penn
Central Trustee abandoned the segment in 1976 pursuant to Section 308
of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, 45 U.S.C. 744(b).
(Notice 3.) CSO states that CTDOT acquired the Third Segment from
Boston and Maine Corporation, which abandoned the segment in 1993.
(Notice 3.) See Boston & Me. Corp.--Aban. Exemption--in Hartford Cnty,
Conn. & Hampden Cnty., Mass., AB 32 (Sub-No. 62X) et al., slip op. at 1
(ICC served Nov. 24, 1993). CSO states that the Central New England
Railroad, Inc. (CZNR) currently holds a modified rail certificate with
respect to the Line, and has done so since 1996.\1\ (Id. at 1-2.) See
Cent. New England R.R., FD 32769, slip op. at 1-2.
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\1\ On December 31, 2025, CZNR filed, in Docket No. FD 32769, a
notice of intent to terminate its service on the Line under the CZNR
modified certificate, effective on March 1, 2026, or such earlier or
later date as the Board confirms the authority of CSO to operate the
line under its own modified rail certificate. Notice of Intent to
Terminate Service, Central New England Railroad, Inc. Modified
Certificate, FD 32769 (Dec. 31, 2025); see 49 CFR 1150.24. CSO has
authority to commence operations at any time. See 49 CFR 1150.23(a)
(``Operations may commence immediately upon the filing'' of the
modified certificate).
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According to the notice, CSO and CTDOT have entered into a Rail
Freight Service Operation, License and Maintenance Agreement that
extends from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2046. (Notice 2, 4, Ex.
A.)
The Line qualifies for a modified certificate of public convenience
and necessity. See Common Carrier Status of States, State Agencies &
Instrumentalities & Pol. Subdivs., FD 28990F (ICC served July 16,
1981); 49 CFR 1150.22. CSO states that no subsidy
[[Page 2823]]
is involved and that there will be no preconditions that shippers must
meet to receive service. (Notice 5.) CSO's notice also includes a
certificate of liability insurance coverage.\2\ (Notice, Ex. B.)
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\2\ Public and confidential versions of both the Rail Freight
Service Operation, License and Maintenance Agreement, and the
certificate of liability insurance coverage were filed. The
confidential versions were submitted under seal concurrently with a
motion for protective order, which is addressed in a separate
decision.
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This notice will be served on the Association of American Railroads
(Car Service Division), as agent for all railroads subscribing to the
car-service and car-hire agreement, at 425 Third Street SW, Suite 1000,
Washington, DC 20024; and on the American Short Line and Regional
Railroad Association at 50 F Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC
20001.
Board decisions and notices are available at <a href="http://www.stb.gov">www.stb.gov</a>.
Decided:
By the Board, Anika S. Cooper, Chief Counsel, Office of Chief
Counsel.
Regena Smith-Bernard,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2026-01138 Filed 1-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 22, 2026.
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