---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 U.S.C. § 1016"
title: "45"
title_heading: "Railroads"
number: "1016"
heading: "Temporary rail banking"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/45/1016"
units:
  - "Chapter 19 — Rock Island Railroad Employee Assistance"
---

# §1016. Temporary rail banking


During the 180-day period beginning on May 30, 1980, no rail line or facility of the [Rock Island Railroad](/usc/45/1002.md?p=5) which has been approved for abandonment by the [Commission](/usc/45/1002.md?p=3) or the [bankruptcy court](/usc/45/1002.md?p=1) may be downgraded, scrapped, or otherwise disposed of without the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/45/1002.md?p=6) under this section. In no case before abandonment has been approved and before the 180-day period has elapsed shall the [Secretary](/usc/45/1002.md?p=6) approve a disposition of such portion of the rail line or related facility to any carrier or other entity not engaged in providing railroad services or not formed for the purpose of providing railroad services. The [Secretary](/usc/45/1002.md?p=6), upon application by the [Rock Island Railroad](/usc/45/1002.md?p=5), shall grant such approval unless he finds that—

- (1) a [rail carrier](/usc/45/1104.md?p=6), shipper, State, or other interested party has expressed in writing an interest in purchasing, leasing or rehabilitating the particular rail line or facility for purposes of providing rail service; and
- (2) there is a reasonable expectation that such purchase transaction will be consummated.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–254, title I, § 121, May 30, 1980, 94 Stat. 409.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Abolition of Interstate Commerce Commission and Transfer of Functions

Interstate Commerce Commission abolished and functions of Commission transferred, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, to Surface Transportation Board effective Jan. 1, 1996, by section 1302 of Title 49, Transportation, and section 101 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of Title 49. References to Interstate Commerce Commission deemed to refer to Surface Transportation Board, a member or employee of the Board, or Secretary of Transportation, as appropriate, see section 205 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of Title 49.