CPKC, BNSF CEOs urge shippers to speak out on UP-NS merger

Woman gesturing in front of sign with large white letters

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The CEOs of Canadian Pacific Kansas City and BNSF Railway took aim at the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger during the first day of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers winter meeting — and urged the rail customers in attendance to voice any concerns they may have to federal regulators. CPKC CEO […]

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Athearn HO Johnstown America BethGon Coalporter

Color photo showing B end of HO scale bathtub gondola painted aluminum and red with red, yellow, black, and white graphics on white background.

Athearn HO Johnstown America BethGon Coalporter Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $49.99; five-pack, $239.99 Era: 2006+ to 2014+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO Johnstown America BethGon Coalporter features: 36” machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry scale lower shelf couplers […]

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UP urges regulators to reject BNSF request to reopen UP-SP merger case

Train on bridge approaching small building covering tracks

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway’s bid to have federal regulators review Union Pacific’s compliance with conditions imposed as part of the 1996 UP-Southern Pacific merger is nothing more than a publicity stunt, UP told the Surface Transportation Board last week. On Nov. 28 — three weeks before UP and Norfolk Southern submitted their merger application — […]

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BNSF and CN ask STB to force UP and NS to produce more merger documents

WASHINGTON — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are withholding key documents that are needed for rival railroads, shippers, and regulators to properly evaluate their transcontinental merger proposal, BNSF Railway and Canadian National have told the Surface Transportation Board. In separate filings, BNSF and CN say the STB cannot properly assess the merger’s potential impacts on […]

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UP-NS merger likely to be focus of MARS winter meeting

Man at podium

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — CEOs with strongly opposing views of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger will be the keynote speakers at the annual winter meeting of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers, a key annual gathering of railroad officials and customers where discussion of the merger is likely to be the leading topic. The event at […]

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BNSF warns customers about risks of UP-NS merger (updated)

Two locomotives on freight train

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Chief Marketing Officer Tom Williams warned customers on Tuesday, Jan. 6, that the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger “poses serious risks to competition, service, and your supply chain.” BNSF has had time to review the 6,692-page UP-NS merger application that was filed with federal regulators on Dec. 19, Williams […]

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BNSF opens OKC terminal for Hobby Lobby

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has delivered the first container loads to the vest-pocket intermodal ramp it opened in Oklahoma City for retailer Hobby Lobby. The first containers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., were delivered to the 42-acre terminal on Dec. 31. Locomotive Engineer Dane Sargent and Conductor Kolic […]

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Competing railroads say UP-NS merger application omits key information

Yellow locomotive leading freight train in nose-on view from bridge

WASHINGTON — Other Class I railroads have found no shortage of deficiencies in the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger application and are urging the Surface Transportation Board to reject the document for its failure to address key aspects of the transcontinental combination. Comments from interested parties on the completeness of the application were due on Monday, […]

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BLET members ratify national contract

Intermodal train woth orange locomtives rounding curve.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a five-year national freight rail contract, the union announced. The contract covers more than 12,000 union members at 10 railroads, including BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern, and Canadian National’s U.S. operations. Voting concluded today (Dec. 30); vote details were not released. “This […]

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BNSF CEO reiterates opposition to UP-NS merger (updated)

Woman standing in front of projector screen. BNSF CEO reiterates opposition to UP-NS merger

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF CEO Katie Farmer says the railroad’s initial review of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger application filed today “does not change BNSF’s opposition to the proposed merger.” CPKC and Canadian National have also issued statements on the filing, with CN saying the application “falls well below both the 2001 and old […]

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Colorado steel mill halts rail shipments to BNSF and UP

BNSF Railway and Union Pacific have filed lawsuits against North America’s largest producer of rail, arguing that Orion Steel’s Rocky Mountain Steel Mills broke long-term supply deals by refusing to ship more rail unless the railroads agree to price increases of more than 50%. The railroads say Rocky Mountain’s halt in rail shipments threatens safety […]

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