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Watco Cos. L.L.C. recently filed a notice of exemption with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to lease about 43.6 miles of lines from Norfolk Southern Railway between Maplesville and Autauga Creek, Ala., and in Autauga Creek. Watco also plans to acquire incidental trackage rights for a 10.1-mile CSX Transportation line between Autauga Creek and Montgomery, Ala.

Pending STB approval, Watco would form the Autauga Northern Railroad L.L.C. to operate the lines. The company currently controls 22 short lines operating in 18 states.

The parties plan to consummate the transaction on or about March 19, the exemption’s effective date, or 30 days after the exemption notice was filed, according to the STB.