Norfolk Southern Seeks to Scrap Ohio County Rail Line
Published Date: 9/2/2026
Notice
Summary
No summary available.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Rail Worker Job Protections Apply
Any employee adversely affected by the abandonment will be protected under the Oregon Short Line Railroad decision (360 I.C.C. 91 (1979)). A petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed to address whether the condition adequately protects affected employees.
Key Deadlines for Offers, Stays, and Challenges
If no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) is received, the exemption becomes effective October 2, 2026 unless stayed. Deadlines in the notice include: petitions to stay (non-environmental) must be filed by September 11, 2026; formal expressions of intent to file an OFA and interim trail use/railbanking requests must be filed by September 14, 2026; and petitions to reopen and public-use requests must be filed by September 22, 2026.
Rail Line Abandonment in Scioto County
Norfolk Southern filed to abandon approximately 24.43 miles of rail between milepost CT 80.57 and approximately CT 105.0 in Scioto County, Ohio (traversing ZIP codes 45662, 45652, 45663, 45660, 45671, and 45657). The exemption will be effective on October 2, 2026, unless stayed; NSR certified that no local traffic has moved over the Line for at least two years and any overhead traffic can be rerouted over other lines.
Environmental Review and Comment Window
Norfolk Southern filed a combined environmental and historic report and the Board's Office of Environmental Analysis will issue a Draft Environmental Assessment by September 4, 2026. Comments on environmental or historic preservation matters must be filed within 15 days after the Draft EA becomes available; environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/railbanking conditions may be imposed in a later decision.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20783, First Student, Inc.-Acquisition of Control-Autumn Transportation Inc. and Ambassador Wheelchair Services, Inc.
First Student, Inc. wants to take control of Autumn Transportation Inc. and Ambassador Wheelchair Services, Inc. by buying all their shares. The Surface Transportation Board is giving a thumbs-up to this deal, but people have until November 23, 2026, to share any concerns. If no one objects, the deal will go through on November 24, 2026, potentially changing how these transportation services operate.
2026-20455, 60-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval: Petitions for Declaratory Order and Petitions for Relief Not Otherwise Specified
The Surface Transportation Board wants to keep collecting info from folks like shippers, railroads, and communities who ask for official decisions to clear up disputes. They’re asking for your thoughts by December 7, 2026, to make sure the process stays smooth and useful. This won’t cost extra money but helps keep things clear and fair for everyone involved.
2026-20456, 60-Day Notice of Intent To Seek Extension of Approval: Classification Index Survey Form
The Surface Transportation Board wants to keep using its Classification Index Survey Form, which helps track railroad info. This affects railroad companies that don’t file the big annual report, and they’ll spend about 24 hours a year filling it out. Comments on this plan are open until December 7, 2026, with no changes or extra costs planned.
2026-20205, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V GP, LLC, et al.-Control Exemption-Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad Company
Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V GP and its affiliates are taking control of the Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad, a freight railroad running about 160 miles in Illinois and Indiana. This change means Pinsly Holdco and Pinsly Railroad Company will now own and operate KBSR, which was previously controlled by the Stroo Family. The deal, agreed on September 16, 2026, expands Macquarie’s rail network without any immediate cost changes announced.
2026-20206, Union Pacific Railroad Company-Discontinuance of Service Exemption-in San Bernardino County, Cal.
Union Pacific Railroad is stopping freight service on a 2.76-mile stretch of track in Rialto, San Bernardino County, because no trains have run there for over two years. This change affects local businesses and residents in zip code 92376 but won’t disrupt other rail traffic. The service stop will take effect November 1, 2026, unless someone steps in to keep it running or files a complaint by early October.
2026-19711, CSX Transportation, Inc.-Abandonment Exemption-in Hamilton County, Ohio
CSX Transportation is planning to stop using about 2 miles of railroad track in Hamilton County, Ohio, because no trains have run there for over two years. This change affects local businesses and workers, but any employees impacted will get special protections. If no one steps up to save the line by October 8, 2026, the closure will go ahead on October 28, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17899, Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request; Assurance (Interinstitutional, Foreign, and Domestic) and Annual Report (Office of the Director)
The NIH wants your thoughts on their plan to keep track of animal research safety through yearly reports and assurances from institutions, both in the U.S. and abroad. This helps make sure labs follow the rules and protect animals, with no new costs or big changes expected. You’ve got until October 2, 2026, to share your feedback and help improve the process!
Next: 2026-17905, Notice of Membership of Performance Review Board for Senior Executives