Influential shipper group: No rail mergers without better service, pricing, and competition

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Industrial Transportation League said today that rail shippers will not support a transcontinental railroad merger unless it’s accompanied by improvements in service, pricing, and competition. “Despite the promises that rail customers would benefit from mergers through more efficient service, in reality captive rail customers must pay increasingly higher prices for […]

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CPKC’s Creel warns of issues from UP-NS ‘endgame’ merger (updated)

Single locomotive in CPKC paint scheme crossing bridge

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City CEO Keith Creel today teed off on the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, raising a host of questions and concerns about the $85 billion deal that would reshape the railroad industry. Creel, speaking on CPKC’s earnings call, issued a series of warnings about the transcontinental […]

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UP, NS plan to make formal merger filing by January 2026

Train crossing bridge over canal

WASHINGTON — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern plan to file their merger application with the Surface Transportation Board on or before Jan, 29, 2026, according to a notice of intent filed with the Surface Transportation Board today (July 30, 2025). That notice of intent, also known as a prefiling notification, is required under the board’s […]

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With breakup fee, UP-NS merger agreement anticipates potential blows to deal

The $85 billion Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger agreement includes a $2.5 billion breakup fee that anticipates potential twists and turns that could play out over the next two years. The agreement has an expiration date of Jan. 28, 2028, but will be extended automatically if the Surface Transportation Board merger review process takes […]

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Senators write STB to express concerns about UP-NS merger’s impact on shippers

Freight train at dust

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) are urging the Surface Transportation Board to “keep the best interests of rail shippers and consumers in mind” during the board’s upcoming review of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, expressing concerns about the merger’s impact in a letter to board members. Meanwhile, Nebraska’s two […]

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Rail Passengers Association expresses concern over UP-NS merger plans

An Amtrak train and a Union Pacific train run parallel to one another

WASHINGTON — The Rail Passengers Association said today it will be “actively involved in protecting the rights of passengers” as the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is considered by the Surface Transportation Board. Amtrak had no comment on the merger announcement. Neither did commuter rail operator Metra, which has been involved in a lengthy legal and […]

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CEOs say Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger will spur traffic growth

Freight train passes under bridge as it rounds gentle curve on three-track main line.

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern executives touted their proposed merger as a way to return to volume growth after losing market share to the highway since rail traffic peaked in 2006. “We can only go so far independently. 
And let’s face it, this industry has faced contraction over the last couple decades […]

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Two unions announce opposition to UP-NS merger (revised)

Freight train at diamond with bridges in background

Two unions — the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, and the Transport Workers Union of America — have announced their opposition to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger proposed today by the two railroads. SMART said it will oppose the merger when it goes to the Surface Transportation Board for approval, […]

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Machinists Union announces tentative agreement with Union Pacific

Logo of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with Union Pacific, the union announced today (July 29, 2025). IAM’s District 19 represents approximately 1,300 UP workers. Details of the agreement were not announced; union members will receive more information soon and are […]

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Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern reach $85 billion merger deal

Freight train with one yellow locomotive and one black locomotive

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern today announced an $85 billion deal to tie their networks together and create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. The merged company — which will be called Union Pacific — will transform the U.S. supply chain and economy, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and preserve all union jobs, the railroads said. UP will […]

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Shipper groups oppose more railroad mergers

WASHINGTON — Groups representing rail shippers say they would be opposed to the creation of a transcontinental railroad in the U.S., arguing that further consolidation in the industry would reduce their competitive options, lead to higher rates, and worsen service. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern said last week that they are engaged in advanced negotiations […]

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Schneider’s intermodal surge shows power of single-line service: Analysis

A stat in a Schneider news release caught my eye earlier this month: Overall cross-border intermodal volume between the U.S. and Mexico was up 17% last year. Impressive, yes. But what jumped off the screen was Schneider’s growth rate. Its cross-border traffic — which rides Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s flagship Mexico Midwest Express hotshots — […]

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