Notice2026-05999
Connecticut Southern Railroad, Inc.-Change of Operators Exemption-Central New England Railroad, Inc.
Primary source
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Published
March 27, 2026
Issuing agencies
Surface Transportation Board
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 59 (Friday, March 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 14901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05999]
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. FD 36906]
Connecticut Southern Railroad, Inc.--Change of Operators
Exemption--Central New England Railroad, Inc.
Connecticut Southern Railroad, Inc. (CSO), a Class III carrier, has
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to lease from
the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) and
operate approximately 8.64 miles of rail line extending between
milepost 0.0 at Hartford, Conn. and milepost 8.64 at Griffins, Conn.,
known as the Griffins Industrial Track (the Line). Central New England
Railroad, Inc. (CNZR), currently operates the Line. See Cent. New
England R.R.--Operation Exemption--Line Owned by State of Conn. Dep't
of Transp., FD 33680 (STB served Jan. 28, 1999).\1\
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\1\ CSO submitted a letter on March 18, 2026, noting that the
notice of exemption in Docket No. FD 33680 describes the Line as
extending to milepost 8.7 at Griffins. CSO states that its
understanding is that the reference to milepost 8.7 in that case
``is a historical error because anything beyond milepost 8.64 was
apparently abandoned in 1938 and there is no evidence to suggest
that any rail operations have taken place beyond milepost 8.64 in
the last twenty-seven years.'' (CSO Letter 1, Mar. 18, 2026.)
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CSO states that the agreement between CNZR and CT DOT is ending and
that CSO will become the new operator of the Line. According to CSO,
CNZR has authorized CSO to represent that CNZR does not object to the
verified notice, which will result in CSO obtaining authority to
operate the Line as a common carrier and releasing CNZR from its common
carrier obligation to operate the Line.
CSO certifies that its lease with CT DOT does not impose or include
an interchange commitment. CSO also certifies that its projected annual
revenues as a result of this transaction will not result in the
creation of a Class II or Class I rail carrier and will exceed $5
million. Under 49 CFR 1150.42(b), a change in operators exemption
requires that notice be given to shippers. CSO states there are no
shippers on the Line.
The transaction may be consummated on or after April 21, 2026, the
effective date of the exemption (60 days after CSO certified its
compliance with the labor notice requirements of 49 CFR 1150.42(e)).
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 by April 14, 2026 (at least
seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36906, 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
CSO's representative, Justin J. Marks, Clark Hill PLC, 1001
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1300 South, Washington, DC 20004.
According to CSO, 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 <a href="http://www.stb.gov">www.stb.gov</a>.
Decided: March 24, 2026.
By the Board, Anika S. Cooper, Chief Counsel, Office of Chief
Counsel.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2026-05999 Filed 3-26-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 27, 2026.
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