Every passenger train out side of the NEC and the AML itcs segment will shut down after the new year if the deadline is not extended. I believe certain segments of BNSF and UP could remain open for passenger and TIH cars. But I don't know where those are or how relevant they are.
I had forgotten about commuter operations. That could really destroy metropolitan areas, causing a gridlock.
Follow up point on that line, is light rail included in the mandate? Such as DART or the Chicago el?
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different."
-Kurt Vonnegut
Notice of Cessation of Service Effective December 1, 2015, for All Shipments of Poisonous-Inhalation-Hazard (“PIH”) Commodities
October 20, 2015
Norfolk Southern Railway Company and its rail operating subsidiaries (“NSR”) will no longer accept shipments of Poisonous-Inhalation-Hazard (“PIH”) commodities, effective Dec. 1, 2015. PIH commodities in transit on Dec. 1, 2015 will be delivered to destination by Dec. 31, 2015. Starting on December 1, 2015, NS will not pull PIH loads or residual cars from a facility on NS and will not accept such cars at interchange. As to traffic requiring interchange with a connecting railroad, the effective date of this cessation of service shall be accelerated as necessary to comply with any earlier cessation of service date imposed by such connecting railroad. Private car shippers required to have OT-5 authority, which includes storage plans, should make sure that their storage plans are updated. PIH commodities are those defined in 49 CFR §§ 236.1003, 171.8, 173.115, and 173.132, and include the STCCs and commodities listed in the attachment.
These service changes – effective across the entire NS rail network -- are required to comply with federal safety laws that become effective after Dec. 31, 2015, the government’s deadline for installation of PTC. Despite investment of more than $1 billion to date, NS will not meet the deadline.
NSR is ceasing service related to PIH commodities to prevent it from violating federal safety laws that become effective after December 31, 2015. The December 1, 2015 effective date is designed to allow for all such commodities tendered prior to December 1, 2015 to clear the NSR system before January 1, 2016.
In addition, NSR has notified in writing Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express and Metra that passenger trains will not be permitted to operate on NSR track after December 31, 2015.
Norfolk Southern sincerely regrets the inconvenience that customers, passengers, and commuters will experience and hopes that Congress will act quickly and decisively to allow us to restore full access to our rail network.
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different."
-Kurt Vonnegut
