Start Preamble

Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 235 and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), 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.

Docket No. FRA-2000-6888 Start Printed Page 35998

Applicant: Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad, Company, Incorporated, Mr. David L. Smoot, Vice President and Regional General Manager, 514 North Orner, P.O. Box 776, Carthage, Missouri 64836.

Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad Company, Incorporated (MNA) seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance and removal of the automatic interlocking and associated signals, at Carthage, Missouri, milepost 526.85, where the single main track of the MNA Aurora Subdivision, cross at grade, the single main track of the MNA Carthage Industrial Track, including installation of a swing gate and stop signs normally lined and locked against the industrial track.

The reasons given for the proposed changes are that the MNA now has control of both rail lines; all through train movements are north and southbound on the Aurora Subdivision; the east and west interlocking approaches are now part of the Carthage Industrial Track, and used to access industry switching locations and rail car storage tracks; and all trains operating through the interlocking limits are MNA trains.

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. Additionally, one copy of the protest shall be furnished to the applicant at the address listed above.

All communications concerning this proceeding should be identified by the docket number and must be submitted to the Docket Clerk, DOT Central Docket Management Facility, Room PI-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Communications received within 45 days of the date of this notice will be considered by the FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. All written communications concerning these proceedings are available for examination during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at DOT Central Docket Management Facility, Room PI-401 (Plaza Level), 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. All documents in the public docket are also available for inspection and copying on the internet at the docket facility's Web site at http://dms.dot.gov.

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.

Start SignatureEnd Signature End Preamble