Railroad Pleas Get Bureaucratic Extension Approval
Published Date: 10/6/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Declaratory Order Filings: 180‑Hour Time Cost
If you are a shipper, railroad, community, or other stakeholder and file a petition for a declaratory order, the Board estimates each filing requires about 180 hours to prepare. The Board reports about seven such petitions per year (totaling 1,260 burden hours annually), filings are submitted electronically, and no non‑hour monetary costs were identified.
Catch‑all Petitions: 25‑Hour Filing Burden
If you file a petition for relief not otherwise provided (the Board's catch‑all petitions under 49 CFR 1117), the Board estimates about 25 hours per filing. The Board reports approximately six such petitions per year (totaling 150 burden hours annually), requires basic content per §1117.1, and identifies no non‑hour monetary costs; filings are submitted electronically.
Continued Access to Board Petitions
The Surface Transportation Board intends to extend its existing collections so shippers, railroads, communities, and other stakeholders can continue to file petitions for declaratory orders and petitions for relief. The Board states these collections enable it to meet its statutory duty to regulate the rail industry and that filings are electronic with no identified non‑hour costs.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-19627, 5E SVM Railway Company, LLC-Acquisition and Operation Exemption-Assets of Trona Railway Company LLC
5E SVM Railway Company, LLC is taking over and running a 30.6-mile rail line in California from Trona Railway Company LLC. This change means SVMR will start offering rail service right away, with expected yearly earnings under $5 million. No big railroad status changes or limits on connections with other railroads will happen.
2026-19105, The Great Walton Railroad Company, Inc.-Continuance in Control Exemption-The Athens Line, LLC
The Great Walton Railroad Company (GWRC) is fixing a paperwork slip-up by officially getting permission to keep controlling The Athens Line, LLC, a small railroad it owns. This move won’t change how the railroads connect or affect big rail companies, and it kicks in on October 4, 2026. No extra costs or employee protections are involved since it’s all small railroads.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-20454, Combined Notice of Filings #1
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got a bunch of new filings from energy companies like Rhode Island State Energy Center and Arizona Public Service. These filings include requests for approvals, status updates, and refund reports that could affect how electricity rates and projects move forward. If you’re involved in energy or power, keep an eye on deadlines for comments, mostly in October and November 2026, as some changes might impact costs or operations soon.
Next: 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.