49 CFR §235.20

1. (a)A protest against the granting of an application shall set forth specifically the grounds upon which it is made, and contain a concise statement of the interest of protestant in the proceeding.
2. (b)Protests shall be filed with the Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC 20590, and one copy shall be furnished to each applicant.
3. (c)Protests should be filed within the time limit set forth in the public notice.
4. (d)The protestant shall certify that service of a copy of its protest was made upon each applicant.
5. (e)Request for hearing must be accompanied with a showing why the protestant is unable to properly present his or her position by written statements.