[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 40204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16276]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. FD 35820]


Blue Ridge Southern Railroad, L.L.C.--Acquisition Exemption--
Norfolk Southern Railway Company

    Blue Ridge Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (BLU)\1\, a noncarrier, has 
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to acquire 
from Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR), and to operate, three rail 
lines in the State of North Carolina comprising a total distance of 
approximately 91.8 miles extending between (1) milepost T0.0 at Murphy 
Jct., and milepost T47.0 at Dillsboro; (2) milepost W1.0 at Asheville, 
and milepost W26.0 at East Flat Rock; and (3) milepost TR0.0 at 
Henderson, and milepost TR19.8 at Pisgah Forest.
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    \1\ BLU is a wholly owned subsidiary of Watco Holdings, Inc.
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    This transaction is related to a concurrently filed verified notice 
of exemption in Watco Holdings, Inc.--Continuance in Control 
Exemption--Blue Ridge Southern Railroad, L.L.C., Docket No. FD 35821, 
wherein Watco Holdings, Inc. seeks Board approval under 49 CFR 
1180.2(d)(2) to continue in control of BLU, upon BLU's becoming a Class 
III rail carrier.
    BLU states that the agreement between BLU and NSR does not contain 
any provision that prohibits BLU or may limit future interchange 
traffic with a third-party connecting carrier.
    BLU has certified that its projected annual revenues as a result of 
this transaction will not result in BLU's becoming a Class II or Class 
I rail carrier. Because BLU's projected annual revenues will exceed $5 
million, BLU certified to the Board on May 9, 2014, that it had 
complied with the requirements of 49 CFR 1150.32(e) by providing notice 
to employees and their labor union on the affected 91.8-mile line.
    This transaction may be consummated on or after July 25, 2014, the 
effective date of the exemption (30 days after the exemption was 
filed).
    If the notice contains false or misleading information, the 
exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 
U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to 
revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the exemption. 
Petitions for stay must be filed no later than July 18, 2014 (at least 
seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
    An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to Docket No. 
FD 35820 must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, one copy of each 
pleading must be served on Karl Morell, Ball Janik LLP, 655 Fifteenth 
Street NW., Suite 225,Washington, DC 20005.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at 
WWW.STB.DOT.GOV

    Decided: July 8, 2014.
    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Raina S. White,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2014-16276 Filed 7-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P