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CSX Transportation, Inc. has filed a notice to abandon a 1.61-mile rail line in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, as it hasn't been used for local rail traffic in the past two years. To proceed with the abandonment, various conditions must be met, including environmental and historic assessments, and provisions for employee protection. If no objections or requests related to financial assistance are filed, the abandonment will become effective on February 9, 2025, unless otherwise stayed or reconsidered. Public input on environmental and historic matters will be accepted within 15 days after an environmental assessment report is released.

The Lowville & Beaver River Railroad Company has filed a notice to abandon a 10.57-mile rail line in New York, citing no traffic for over 15 years. The exemption for this abandonment will go into effect on February 13, 2025, unless there are objections or offers of financial assistance. The Surface Transportation Board has reviewed the situation, requiring the filing of environmental and historic reports. Employees affected by the abandonment will receive certain protections, and all legal proceedings regarding the abandonment must be completed by January 14, 2026.

San Joaquin Valley Railroad Co. (SJVR) has filed for an exemption to continue leasing and operating 101.5 miles of rail lines from Union Pacific Railroad Company. This lease, initially established in 1994 and most recently renewed in 2020, has been extended by a Lease Amendment signed in January 2025, allowing operations to continue for another five years. SJVR's notice also requests a waiver for a 60-day advance notice to labor unions, which will be decided separately. Moreover, SJVR confirms that its projected revenues will not exceed the limit set for a Class III carrier, despite current revenues being over $5 million.

The Surface Transportation Board is starting a rulemaking process based on a proposal from the Association of American Railroads. The proposal aims to create a new class exemption for emergency temporary trackage rights, which would allow these rights to take effect immediately in specific situations without waiting for a 30-day notice. This proposal is intended to make obtaining temporary trackage rights more efficient in emergencies, supporting the continuous flow of commerce. The Board is also seeking additional public input as part of the decision-making process.

Arkansas Louisiana & Mississippi Railroad Co. (ALM) has filed a notice to discontinue rail service on a 9.32-mile line in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana. This decision is due to the line having no local traffic since before 2014, and any other traffic can be rerouted. Employees affected by the discontinuance will be protected under specific conditions, and financial assistance options for continued service are available until February 28, 2025. If there are no objections, the service discontinuance will take effect on March 20, 2025.

On January 22, 2025, Jefferson Partners, L.P., which operates as Jefferson Lines, applied to acquire the assets of Karst Stage, Inc., another passenger bus company. The Surface Transportation Board is tentatively approving this move, allowing Jefferson to continue its operations under a new company, Karst Stage, LLC, while maintaining separate identities but sharing management tasks. The approval is contingent on no opposing comments being filed by April 28, 2025. Jefferson argues this transaction will improve service and efficiency without harming competition or employee interests.

The Surface Transportation Board has received a request from Iowa State University to use data from their 1992-2018 Unmasked Carload Waybill Sample for research purposes. This data contains confidential information about railroads and shippers. Anyone who objects to the release of this data must submit their objections to the Board's Office of Economics within 14 calendar days from the notice date. The procedures for releasing waybill data are outlined in the federal regulations.

Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc. (CORP) plans to lease and operate a section of railroad line from the Union Pacific Railroad Company, totaling about 27.58 miles in Oregon. This transaction is set to occur after February 8, 2025, following the required notice period and certification. CORP's expected annual revenues from this operation will exceed $5 million, necessitating advance notices to affected employees and labor unions. The agreement includes an interchange commitment, and interested parties can file petitions related to the exemption process.

Portland & Western Railroad, Inc. (PNWR) has filed a notice to abandon a section of railroad track in Tigard, Oregon, covering about 4,111 feet, as there has been no train traffic on it since 2007. The exemption will take effect in January 2025, provided no objections or offers of financial assistance are received. PNWR has ensured that all environmental, historic, and procedural requirements for the abandonment process have been met. If there are any issues with the notice’s accuracy, the exemption could be invalidated, and any affected employees are entitled to protections.

The Surface Transportation Board is starting a process to figure out the railway industry's cost of capital for the year 2024. They are looking for comments on several aspects, including the cost of debt, preferred equity, common equity capital, and the overall capital structure of the railroads. People interested in participating need to submit their intent by February 21, 2025, and various statements are due on specific dates in March and April 2025. For more information, contact Pedro Ramirez or visit the Board's website.