Minnesota Railroad Seeks to Abandon 11 Miles of Track
Published Date: 7/20/2026
Notice
Summary
Minnesota Northern Railroad is planning to stop using about 11 miles of rail track in Norman and Polk Counties, Minnesota, because no trains have run there in two years. This change affects local communities and employees, who will get job protections. If no one steps up to save the line by August 19, 2026, the railroad can officially close it.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
11.14-Mile Rail Line Abandonment
Minnesota Northern Railroad plans to abandon about 11.14 miles of track in Norman and Polk Counties, Minn., between milepost 40.20 and 51.34 (ZIP codes 56523, 56568, 56581). If no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) is received, the abandonment exemption becomes effective on August 19, 2026. Local businesses that ship by rail may lose service on this line when the exemption takes effect.
Employee Protections Required
Railroad employees who are hurt by this abandonment must be protected under the Oregon Short Line protections referenced by the Board. A petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) can be filed to question whether those protections adequately cover affected employees.
Chance to Buy or Subsidize the Line (OFA)
Interested parties can submit a formal expression of intent to file an Offer of Financial Assistance (OFA) to buy or subsidize the line; the expression must state whether the assistance would be a purchase or a subsidy and show preliminary financial responsibility under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2)(i). If a formal expression of intent to file an OFA is received, the August 19, 2026 effective date may be affected.
Environmental and Historic Review Timeline
The railroad filed a combined environmental and historic report and the Board's Office of Environmental Analysis will issue a Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) by July 24, 2026. Comments on environmental or historic preservation matters must be filed within 15 days after the Draft EA becomes available.
Abandonment Authority Expires If Not Consummated
MNN must file a notice of consummation to show it has abandoned the line; if it does not file that notice by July 20, 2027, and there are no legal or regulatory barriers, the authority to abandon will automatically expire. That deadline keeps the option open for future preservation efforts if consummation does not occur.
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