Norfolk Southern Wants to Scrap Tracks in Ohio Backwoods
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
2026-17360, Switzer-Carty Transportation US, Inc., et al.-Acquisition of Control-Agnes Corporation
On July 27, 2026, Switzer-Carty Transportation US, Inc. (SCT- US), a noncarrier, together with its shareholders (collectively, Applicants), none of which are federally regulated carriers, filed an application to acquire control of Agnes Corporation (Agnes), a noncarrier that serves as a holding company for several interstate passenger motor carriers. Agnes is owned and controlled by eight individuals (collectively, Sellers). The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing the transaction. If no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.
2026-17004, Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancies
The Surface Transportation Board is looking to fill two open spots on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee—one for biofuel experts and one for coal producers. If you or someone you know fits the bill, nominations are due by September 17, 2026. This is a great chance to help shape how energy moves by rail, with no cost to apply and a voice in important transportation decisions.
2026-16620, Regulatory Agenda
The Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) is publishing the Regulatory Flexibility Agenda.
2026-16276, Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad, Inc.-Acquisition and Operation Exemption-State of South Dakota
2026-16109, Release of Waybill Data
2026-16128, Town of Gloster, Miss.-Acquisition Exemption-Line of Gloster Southern Railroad Company, LLC
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17899, Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request; Assurance (Interinstitutional, Foreign, and Domestic) and Annual Report (Office of the Director)
In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to provide opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) in the Office of Extramural Research (OER) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.
Next: 2026-17905, Notice of Membership of Performance Review Board for Senior Executives