Still no publication of the south end abandonment in the Federal Register, although local news media (the Orleans Progress-Examiner) have picked up on it. From my reading of an article on the Orange County Commission meeting, it may be that someone needs to remind the county attorney (solicitor, not prosecutor) to research the topic of reversionary title to the right-of-way. The county legal sharpshooter seems to be of the opinion that the ROW will remain the property of CSX even after the rails are pulled - and under the 1840's/50's terms of the grants, I am not at all sure that this is the case.
I will scan & post the article later today - then look into contacting Orange County unless y'all convince me that it is not needed.
Mark J
Columbia MO
PS: There was this link in the FR about trackage rights for CSX 'proper' over INRD around Sullivan that may be of interest:
Link:
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-12-22/html/2017-27604.htmSummary:
The Indiana Rail Road Company--Temporary Trackage Rights
Exemption--CSX Transportation, Inc.
The Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD), a Class II rail carrier, has
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(
for its
acquisition of limited, temporary overhead trackage rights over a line
of railroad of CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) between its connection
with CSXT at approximately CSXT milepost OZA 204.5 at Sullivan, Ind.,
and the connection with trackage serving the Oaktown Mine at
approximately CSXT milepost OZA 219.05 at Oaktown, Ind., a distance of
approximately 14.55 miles.