Forgotten Rails Fade Away: Georgia Tracks Get Official Abandonment Nod
Published Date: 12/3/2025
Notice
Summary
South Carolina Central Railroad and Georgia Southwestern Railroad are teaming up to stop using and officially abandon about 2.17 miles of rail track in Muscogee County, Georgia. No trains have run there since 2016, and no one’s complained, so the change should be smooth. This move affects local freight service and protects any workers impacted by the shutdown.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Rail employees get job protections
The Board’s exemptions are conditioned so that any employee adversely affected by the abandonment or discontinuance is protected under the Oregon Short Line rule (360 I.C.C. 91 (1979)). A petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed to challenge whether those protections are adequate.
2.17 miles of track in Georgia to be abandoned
South Carolina Central Railroad and Georgia Southwestern Railroad will abandon and discontinue service over about 2.17 miles of rail line in Muscogee County, Georgia. The exemptions take effect January 2, 2026 unless stayed; petitions to stay (non-environmental) must be filed by December 12, 2025, formal expressions of intent to file an offer of financial assistance or interim trail use/railbanking requests must be filed by December 15, 2025, petitions to reopen or public use requests by December 23, 2025, and SCRF must file a notice of consummation by December 3, 2026 or the authority expires.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-06467 — Stillwater Central Railroad, L.L.C.-Lease and Operation Exemption-Hollis & Eastern Railroad, L.L.C.
Stillwater Central Railroad is renewing its lease to run trains on a 14-mile track between Duke and Altus, Oklahoma, with updated terms from Hollis & Eastern Railroad. They expect to make over $5 million a year but are asking to skip a usual 60-day employee notice. The final approval and start date will be decided soon, with a deadline for challenges on April 10, 2026.
2026-06455 — Thomas L. Hey and James A. Hey-Acquisition of Control-Minnesota Motor Bus, Inc.
Back in 2010, Thomas and James Hey took control of Minnesota Motor Bus without getting official permission. Now, in 2026, they’re fixing that by asking for approval after the fact. If no one objects by May 18, this approval will become final, letting them keep running things smoothly without any money or timing troubles.
2026-06555 — Railroad Cost Recovery Procedures-Productivity Adjustment
The Surface Transportation Board says railroads got 1.5% more productive each year from 2020 to 2024. This new number helps decide how much railroads can raise their rates to cover costs. Railroads, shippers, and anyone watching prices should note that this change kicks in April 18, 2026, unless someone spots a mistake and files a comment by April 15.
2026-06331 — TransloadX Railroad Company, Inc.-Acquisition and Operation Exemption-CSX Transportation, Inc.
TransloadX Railroad Company is set to lease and run two railroad lines from CSX Transportation in Maine, covering about 37 miles. Starting April 16, 2026, TransloadX will take over operations and serve local customers, aiming to keep things smooth without big revenue changes. This switch means a fresh, smaller railroad operator stepping in to keep the trains rolling and business growing!
2026-05941 — Buckingham Branch Railroad Company-Discontinuance Exemption-in the City of Virginia Beach and the City of Norfolk, Va.
Buckingham Branch Railroad wants to stop running trains on a 4.2-mile track between Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia, because the U.S. Navy is buying nearby land for security reasons. This change mainly affects one local shipper, Gordon Paper, and will happen after the Navy’s purchase is finalized. The railroad says keeping the line open won’t make sense financially or operationally anymore.
2026-05940 — Canonie Atlantic Co.-Abandonment Exemption-in the City of Virginia Beach and the City of Norfolk, Va.; Buckingham Branch Railroad Company-Discontinuance Exemption-in the City of Virginia Beach and the City of Norfolk, Va.
Canonie Atlantic Co. and Buckingham Branch Railroad want to stop using about 2.3 miles of rail track in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia. Canonie Atlantic has owned the track since 1985 but never ran trains on it, while Buckingham Branch has operated it since 2018. This change means the rail line will be abandoned and service discontinued soon, affecting local rail operations and possibly shifting some freight to trucks.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: C1-2025-19133 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Notice of Termination, Peace Corps Volunteer Authorization for Examination and/or Treatment
The Department of Labor fixed a date in a previous notice about ending the Peace Corps Volunteer Authorization for medical exams and treatment. This change affects Peace Corps volunteers and updates the deadline from December 31 to October 31, 2025. No new costs or big changes—just a quick date correction to keep things on track!
Next: 2025-21773 — Deregistration Under Section 8(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
Investment funds that have closed down and paid back their investors can now officially stop being registered with the SEC. If you’re involved with one of these funds, you can request a hearing by December 23, 2025, but otherwise, deregistration will happen smoothly. This means less paperwork and fewer rules for these funds, with no extra costs for investors since liquidation expenses are already covered.
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in