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The Surface Transportation Board has tentatively approved the acquisition of Echo Windy City, LLC, an interstate motor passenger carrier, by TBL Group, Inc., a company that owns several similar carriers. This acquisition will allow Echo Windy to expand its services to include interstate passenger transportation. If no opposing comments are submitted by April 7, 2025, the approval will become final on April 8, 2025. The Board determined that the transaction would benefit the public interest without adversely affecting competition or employees.

The Surface Transportation Board has received a request from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeking permission to use data from the Board's 1986-2023 unmasked Carload Waybill Samples. This data is confidential and involves railroad and shipper information. Any objections to this request must be filed within 14 calendar days from the notice's publication date. For more information or inquiries, individuals can contact the Board via email at waybill@stb.gov.

SRC Railway LLC, a noncarrier company, has announced its plan to lease and operate a 4.25-mile stretch of rail line called the Strasburg Line in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, from the Strasburg Rail Road Company. This action is part of a related notice that allows SRC to continue to control SRC Railway LLC once it starts functioning as a Class III rail carrier. The company assures that its annual revenue from this operation will not exceed $5 million, keeping it from advancing to a Class I or II rail carrier status. Any challenges to this lease exemption must be submitted by January 12, 2021, with the exemption's effective date being January 20, 2021.

The Surface Transportation Board has announced a meeting of the Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC) on February 11, 2025, at their headquarters in Washington, DC. This committee, established in 2023, is set to discuss how to improve efficiency in passenger rail services, resolve conflicts with freight carriers, and streamline regulatory processes. The meeting is open to the public and will follow federal advisory committee regulations. Members of the public can submit written comments to be considered during the meeting by February 7, 2025.

BNSF Railway Company, a major rail carrier, has filed for an exemption to acquire temporary rights to use two rail lines owned by Union Pacific Railroad Company in California. These rights allow BNSF to move trains with ballast materials between locations near Stockton and Keddie. The agreement is set to expire on December 31, 2021, and the transaction can begin after January 27, 2021. BNSF has ensured that its actions meet certain regulatory conditions and has filed a related petition about the temporary nature of these rights.

Louisiana Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (LAS), a small rail company, has filed a notice to continue leasing and operating about 165.8 miles of rail lines from the Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS). The lease agreements have been in place since 2005 and were recently amended to extend until November 2034. LAS must meet certain conditions, such as informing employees and unions about the transaction, because their annual revenues exceed $5 million. However, LAS has requested a waiver for the 60-day advance notice requirement, which will be decided separately. The document mentions the possibility of legal challenges but notes that LA's operations are exempt from environmental and historic preservation reporting.

The Surface Transportation Board has announced two vacancies on the Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC) for representatives from small railroads. The Board seeks nominations by February 12, 2021, and candidates should be willing to serve immediately. RSTAC advises on rail transportation policy, focusing on smaller shippers and railroads, and ensures fair representation across different industry segments. Members serve three-year terms, with meetings typically held quarterly.

Dakota Northern Railroad, Inc. (DN), a small Class III railroad, plans to lease and operate two rail lines from BNSF Railway Company in North Dakota. The rail lines extend 59.84 miles near Grafton, Walhalla, and St. Thomas, ND. DN is continuing an existing lease and expects to finalize the new lease terms before the current one expires on January 31, 2021, without any interchange commitments. The Surface Transportation Board notes that the transaction may proceed from January 29, 2021, and it won't lead to DN becoming a larger Class I or II rail carrier.

Mingus Mountain Railroad, LLC (MMRL) has filed a notice to acquire and operate a 38.74-mile rail line from Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad, L.C. (CACR) in Arizona. MMRL is not a carrier yet but plans to run regular train services and acquire additional trackage rights after this transaction, becoming a Class III rail carrier. They assure that their annual earnings will not exceed $5 million, preventing them from becoming a larger Class I or II carrier. The transaction could be finalized by March 30, 2025, unless issues arise with the details provided in the notice.

North Florida Industrial Railroad, LLC (NFIR) has submitted a notice to lease and operate approximately 4,891 feet of inactive railroad track in Columbia County, Florida. This track connects the North Florida Mega Industrial Park with a rail line run by Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad. The lease will help the park's tenants by facilitating the shipment of goods. NFIR states that its projected revenues will remain under $5 million and that this arrangement will not affect its status as a Class III rail carrier. This plan is exempt from environmental and historic preservation reviews.