(a) Each carrier shall prepare a diagram of its rail system on a map, designating all lines in its system by the categories established in paragraph (b) of this section. A Class III carrier shall either prepare the aforementioned map of its rail system or file only a narrative description of its lines that provides all of the information required in this subpart.

(b) All lines in each carrier's rail system shall be separated into the following categories:

(1) All lines or portions of lines which the carrier anticipates will be the subject of an abandonment or discontinuance application to be filed within the 3-year period following the date upon which the diagram or narrative, or any amended diagram or narrative, is filed with the Board;

(2) All lines or portions of lines which are potentially subject to abandonment, defined as those which the carrier has under study and believes may be the subject of a future abandonment application because of either anticipated operating losses or excessive rehabilitation costs, as compared to potential revenues;

(3) All lines or portions of lines for which an abandonment or discontinuance application is pending before the Board on the date upon which the diagram or narrative, or any amended diagram or narrative, is filed with the Board;

(4) All lines or portions of lines which are being operated under the rail service continuation provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10904 (and former 49 U.S.C. 10905) on the date upon which the diagram or narrative, or any amended diagram or narrative, is filed with the Board; and

(5) All other lines or portions of lines which the carrier owns and operates, directly or indirectly.

(c) The system diagram map shall be color-coded to show the 5 categories of lines as follows:

(1) Red shall designate those lines described in § 1152.10(b)(1);

(2) Green shall designate those lines described in § 1152.10(b)(2);

(3) Yellow shall designate those lines described in § 1152.10(b)(3);

(4) Brown shall designate those lines described in § 1152.10(b)(4); and

(5) Black or dark blue shall designate those lines described in § 1152.10(b)(5).

(d) The system diagram map shall also identify, and shall be drawn to a scale sufficient to depict clearly, the location of:

(1) All state boundary lines;

(2) Boundaries of every county in which is situated a rail line owned or operated by the carrier which is listed in categories 1 thru 4 (§ 1152.10(b)(1) thru (4));

(3) Every Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) any portion of which is located within 5 air miles of a rail line owned or operated by the carrier; and

(4) Every city outside an SMSA which has a population of 5,000 or more persons (according to the latest published United States census reports) and which has any portion located within 5 air miles of a rail line owned or operated by the carrier. A series of interrelated maps may be used where the system serves a very large or congested area. An explanation of the interrelationship must be furnished.

Each carrier required to file a system diagram map or narrative shall list and describe, separately by category and within each category by state, all lines or portions of lines identified on its system diagram map or to be included in its narrative as falling within categories 1 thru 3 (§ 1152.10(b)(1) thru (3)) as follows:

(a) Carrier's designation for each line (for example, the Zanesville Secondary Track);

(b) State or states in which each line is located;

(c) County or counties in which each line is located;

(d) Mileposts delineating each line or portion of line; and

(e) Agency or terminal stations located on each line or portion of line with milepost designations.

(a) Each carrier required to file a system diagram map or a narrative shall file with the Board three copies of a complete and up-dated color-coded system diagram map or narrative (identified by its “AB number”) and the accompanying line descriptions in conformance with the filing and publication requirements of this section. If a revised map or narrative is filed, the line descriptions for the lines which were revised must be filed.

(b) The color-coded system diagram map or narrative, any amendments, and accompanying line descriptions shall be served upon the Governor, the Public Service Commission (or equivalent agency) and the designated state agency of each state within which the carrier operates or owns a line of railroad.

(c) The carrier shall: (1) Publish in a newspaper of general circulation in each county containing category 1 through 3 lines or lines being revised, a notice containing:

(i) A black-and-white copy of the system diagram map (or a portion of the map clearly depicting its lines in that county); and

(ii) A description of each line (in the case of Class III carriers only the line description is required);

(2) Post a copy of the newspaper notice:

(i) In each agency station or terminal on each line in categories 1 through 3 and on each line which has been revised; or

(ii) If there is no agency station on the line, at any station through which business for the line is received or forwarded;

(3) Furnish, at reasonable cost, upon request of any interested person, a copy of its system diagram map (either color-coded or black-and-white) or narrative; and

(4) Notify interested persons of this availability through its publication in the appropriate county newspaper.

(d) Each carrier required to file a system diagram map or narrative shall file with the Board an affidavit of service and publication stating the date each was accomplished. A copy of each newspaper notice published shall be attached to the affidavit. The effective date of the filing of the initial system diagram map or narrative and each amended system diagram map or narrative as required in paragraph (a) of this section shall be deemed to be the date upon which the Board receives the affidavit required in this paragraph.

(e) The Board shall require republication of the notice if it is found to be inadequate.

(a) Each carrier shall be responsible for maintaining the continuing accuracy of its system diagram map and the accompanying line descriptions or narrative. Amendments may be filed at any time and will be subject to all carrier filing and publication requirements of § 1152.12.

(b) By March 24, 1997, each carrier shall file with the Board a revised and updated color-coded system diagram map and line descriptions or narrative which shall be subject to the filing and publication requirements of § 1152.12. Thereafter, each carrier shall file amendments as line designations change and update its map or narrative, as appropriate. Also, each carrier shall file an updated or amended map or narrative upon order of the Board. Each new rail carrier shall comply with the requirements of this subsection within 60 days after it becomes a carrier.

(c) The Board will reject an abandonment or discontinuance application filed by a rail carrier if any part of the application includes a line that has not been identified and described, by amendment or otherwise, on the carrier's system diagram map or narrative, as appropriate, as a line in category 1 (§ 1152.10(b)(1)) for at least 60 days.

Each carrier shall provide to the designated state agency, upon request, information concerning the net liquidation value (as defined in § 1152.34(c)) of any line placed in category 1 (§ 1152.10(b)(1)) on its system diagram map or narrative together with a description of such a line and any appurtenant facilities and of their condition.

49 U.S.C. 10903(c)(1) authorizes the Board, at its discretion, to provide for designation of lines as “potentially subject to abandonment” under standards which vary by region of the United States, by railroad, or by group of railroads. The Board expressly reserves the right to adopt such varying standards in the future.