SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULES ORAL ARGUMENTS FOR MAY 12

[STBNews@xxxxxxxxxxx]

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>From the Surface Transportation Board, Washington, D.C.
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The Surface Transportation Board will hear two oral arguments on May 12,
2011 at its Washington, D.C. headquarters.



                     The first case concerns a challenge by Canadian
                     National Railway Company to an arbitration award that
                     the company says would block a planned consolidation
                     of its Troy, Mich., and Homewood, Ill., dispatching
                     facilities. The American Train Dispatchers Association
                     opposes the challenge, saying the arbitrator correctly
                     found that CN has not upgraded its dispatching system
                     and trained its dispatchers in a way that would allow
                     the consolidation to proceed. The case is [<a
                     href="http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WebDecisionID/41519?OpenDocument";>Canadian
 National Railway Company, Grand Trunk Corporation, and Grand Trunk Western
                     Railroad IncorporatedâControlâIllinois Central
                     Corporation, Illinois Central Railroad Company,
                     Chicago, Central and Pacific Railroad Company, and
                     Cedar River Railroad Company (Arbitration Review),
                     Docket No. FD 33556 (Sub-No. 5)</a>].



                     The second case centers around the proposal by GNP
                     Rly, Inc., to acquire the right to restore rail
                     service over two segments of railroad right-of-way
                     that are currently reserved for a recreational trail.
                     GNP is asking the Board to vacate the Notice of
                     Interim Trail Use it issued for these segments so the
                     carrier can serve freight customers. King County,
                     Wash., the trail sponsor, and the City of Redmond,
                     Wash., oppose the request, saying that GNP does not
                     own the right-of-way or have any other contractual
                     rights to it, and so is not in a position to resume
                     rail service. The case is [<a
                     href="http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WebDecisionID/41520?OpenDocument";>GNP
 Rly, Inc.âAcquisition and Operation ExemptionâRedmond Spur and Woodinville
                     Subdivision, Docket No. FD 35407</a>].



                     Each side in these cases will have 20 minutes to argue
                     its position and to respond to questions from Board
                     Members, similar to proceedings in federal appellate
                     courts. The oral argument is scheduled to begin at
                     9:30 a.m. in the hearing room at STB headquarters, 395
                     E Street, S.W., in Washington. Though the proceedings
                     are open to the public, only counsel for the parties
                     to the cases will be permitted to speak. Photo
                     identification is necessary to enter the building.



                     A live video broadcast of the oral argument will be
                     available via the Board's website at www.stb.dot.gov.

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