The Surface Transportation Board (Board) amends its rules to exempt from regulation, under 49 U.S.C. 10502, as a class, authorization of temporary trackage rights proposals under 49 U.S.C. 11323 that are based on written agreements, are not filed or sought in responsive applications in rail consolidation proceedings, are limited to overhead operations, and expire on a date certain. This class exemption would permit authorization of temporary trackage rights for a limited period of time, not to exceed 1 year from the effective date of the exemption. It would also permit termination of such rights without the need to file for discontinuance authority at the end of the authorization period, as the authority would automatically terminate on the date specified. Carriers taking advantage of this class exemption are subject to the standard provisions for the protection of employees. The exemption automatically removes these transactions from regulatory oversight and simplifies and expedites the process for commencing temporary trackage rights operations. The regulations at 49 CFR Part 1180 are amended, as set forth in the Appendix, to implement this action.