Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System

Issuing agencies

Abstract

This document provides the public notice that BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) petitioned FRA seeking approval to modify a signal system by removing fixed derails on a line segment protected by Positive Train Control (PTC).

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 201 (Tuesday, October 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 20, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 66388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21389]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2026-2444]


Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or 
Modification of a Railroad Signal System

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document provides the public notice that BNSF Railway 
Company (BNSF) petitioned FRA seeking approval to modify a signal 
system by removing fixed derails on a line segment protected by 
Positive Train Control (PTC).

DATES: FRA must receive comments on the petition by December 21, 2026. 
FRA will consider comments received after that date to the extent 
practicable.

ADDRESSES: 
    Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going 
to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and following the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to 
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>; this includes any personal information. 
Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any 
submitted comments or materials.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and follow the 
online instructions for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Johnson, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, FRA Signal, Train Control, and Crossings Division, 
telephone: 406-210-3608, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b5c6d6dac1c19bdf9bdfdadddbc6dadbf5d1dac19bd2dac3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3546565a41411b5f1b5f5a5d5b465a5b75515a411b525a43">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under part 235 of title 49 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the 
public notice that by letter received July 10, 2026, BNSF petitioned 
FRA seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA 
assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2026-2444.
    Specifically, BNSF requests approval to remove fixed derails 
located in advance of the Fort Madison movable bridge on the 
Chillicothe Subdivision in Illinois. Fixed derails would be removed 
from their interlockings on main tracks Nos. 1 and 2 between mileposts 
(MPs) 232.6 and 231.2. BNSF notes that PTC is fully operational in this 
area and ``fulfills the safety overlay function previously fulfilled by 
the derails, ensuring that trains will always stop short of the raised 
bridge in the event the crew misses a signal.'' Therefore, BNSF states 
the fixed derails have become redundant and are a potential failure 
point.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings 
by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate 
scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since 
the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party 
desires an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they 
should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and 
specify the basis for their request.
    Communications received by December 21, 2026 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered if practicable.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications 
and comments received into any of FRA's dockets by the name of the 
individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better 
inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including 
any personal information the commenter provides, to 
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/
ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>. See also <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice">https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice</a> for the 
privacy notice of <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2026-21389 Filed 10-19-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


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