Trains Get 1.5% Smarter: Rail Rates Climb with Productivity Boost

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.

2026-06331 — 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!

2026-05940 — 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.

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.

2026-05933 — Cando Holdings (U.S.) Inc. and Alberta Investment Management Corporation, et al.-Control Exemption-Savage Bingham & Garfield Railroad LLC and Savage Tooele Railroad LLC

Cando Holdings and Alberta Investment Management Corporation are taking control of two Utah railroads, Savage Bingham & Garfield and Savage Tooele. This change means Cando will directly run these rail lines, expanding their rail business beyond Arkansas. The deal is official as of March 2026, with no immediate cost changes announced.

Previous: 2026-06552 — Noise Exposure Map for Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado

The FAA has officially approved the noise exposure map for Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colorado, showing current and future noise levels through 2030. This means local residents, businesses, and the airport can better understand and plan for noise impacts. The approval took effect on April 1, 2026, paving the way for noise reduction plans that could improve community comfort without extra costs right now.

Next: 2026-06565 — Sunshine Act Meetings

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is sharing its public meeting schedule for April and early May 2026, with most weeks quiet but a few key meetings planned. These meetings cover important topics like medical isotope use, workplace fairness, and nuclear fuel management. Anyone interested can join in person or online, with accommodations available for disabilities—no cost changes or deadlines to worry about, just open access and transparency!