Canadian Pacific’s $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern approved

Network AssociationBehind the Wheel
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

The federal regulators have approved the two smallest railroads to merge, this being the first major railroad merge in 2 decades. This will connect Canada, Mexico, and the US via rail. The approval is expected to add 800 more union jobs to the US, it also will be carrying approximately 64,000 truckloads annually across North America. 

The challenges that railroad companies face when attempting to merge in the United States reflect the country's commitment to promoting competition and preventing monopolies. While mergers can be beneficial for companies in terms of cost savings and operational efficiencies, they must comply with strict regulatory requirements and demonstrate that they are not engaging in anti-competitive behavior.

Read more from AP News ▶

Featured
Canadian Rail Unions Prepare for Potential Strike and Lockout
Canadian Rail Unions Prepare for Potential Strike and Lockout

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) has issued a 72-hour strike notice to Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), planning to strike on August 22 if no labor agreement is reached.

Canadian Railways On The Brink of Work Stoppage Amid Contract Deadlock
Canadian Railways On The Brink of Work Stoppage Amid Contract Deadlock

The union representing nearly 9,300 workers at Canada’s top two rail companies is signaling a potential work stoppage due to stalled negotiations over working conditions and wage hikes.

Former Kansas City Southern CEO Joins J.B. Hunt's Board
Former Kansas City Southern CEO Joins J.B. Hunt's Board

J.B. Hunt Transport Services has welcomed former Kansas City Southern President and CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer to its board, expanding the board to 10 seats.

Deutsche Bahn Launches Sale of DB Schenker to Focus on Core Railway Business
Deutsche Bahn Launches Sale of DB Schenker to Focus on Core Railway Business

Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway operator, has initiated the sale of its logistics unit, DB Schenker, as part of its strategy to concentrate on its core railway business.

Biden Administration Allocates $3 Billion in Federal Funds to Troubled California High-Speed Rail Project
Biden Administration Allocates $3 Billion in Federal Funds to Troubled California High-Speed Rail Project

The Biden administration is providing California with over $3 billion in federal funds for its high-speed rail project, which has faced extensive delays and budget overruns.

U.S. Passenger Rail Receives a $8.2 Billion Investment for 10 Projects Nationwide
U.S. Passenger Rail Receives a $8.2 Billion Investment for 10 Projects Nationwide

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has allocated $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects and introduced corridor planning initiatives across the United States.

Green Line Extension Faces Major Track Repairs Amid Controversy
Green Line Extension Faces Major Track Repairs Amid Controversy

A significant portion of the Green Line Extension in Massachusetts needs track repairs due to narrowness issues, with 50% of the Union Branch tracks and around 80% of the Medford/Tufts Branch tracks requiring widening.

$1.4 Billion Committed to Enhance Rail Safety and Bolster Supply Chain
$1.4 Billion Committed to Enhance Rail Safety and Bolster Supply Chain

The Biden administration has allocated over $1.4 billion for railway safety and capacity enhancement projects across 35 states and Washington.

Class I Railroads in North America Seek to Enhance Service Quality to Counter Trucking Competition
Class I Railroads in North America Seek to Enhance Service Quality to Counter Trucking Competition

Leaders of Class I freight railroads in North America have emphasized the importance of improving service quality to compete with the trucking industry and address the decline in intermodal market share.

California's San Joaquin Valley to Port of Los Angeles Rail Service Set for 2028 Launch
California's San Joaquin Valley to Port of Los Angeles Rail Service Set for 2028 Launch

A rail service connecting California's San Joaquin Valley to the Port of Los Angeles is expected to commence operations in 2028.

Republicans Seek Answers from Buttigieg on Aviation and Rail Safety Concerns
Republicans Seek Answers from Buttigieg on Aviation and Rail Safety Concerns

Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability are seeking information from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg regarding aviation and rail safety issues.

Norfolk Southern Anticipates Weeks for Train Backlog Recovery
Norfolk Southern Anticipates Weeks for Train Backlog Recovery

Norfolk Southern, an Atlanta-based railroad, is facing a significant backlog of trains following a recent service outage.

Norfolk Southern Commits to Enhance Worker Health at East Palestine, Ohio, Derailment Site
Norfolk Southern Commits to Enhance Worker Health at East Palestine, Ohio, Derailment Site

Norfolk Southern Co. has reached a settlement with federal regulators and its unionized workforce to address concerns about worker health during track rebuilding and cleanup operations near the site of a hazardous train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio.

The Brightline Transformation in the U.S. is Revolutionizing Passenger Rail
The Brightline Transformation in the U.S. is Revolutionizing Passenger Rail

Brightline, a Florida-based company owned by Fortress Investment Group, is challenging the traditional passenger rail model in the U.S. by offering a privately funded and operated alternative.

Rising Labor Costs and Declining Cargo Squeeze US Rail Profits
Rising Labor Costs and Declining Cargo Squeeze US Rail Profits

US railroad companies, including Union Pacific Corp., CSX Corp., and Norfolk Southern Corp., are facing a squeeze on operating profits due to higher labor costs and weaker sales amid an ongoing freight recession.

Rail Freight from Canada to U.S. Witnesses Ongoing Decline Following Ports Strike
Rail Freight from Canada to U.S. Witnesses Ongoing Decline Following Ports Strike

Rail freight from Canada to the U.S. has experienced a continuous decline, with a 12% decrease reported last week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Jim Vena Takes Over as CEO of Union Pacific, Replacing Lance Fritz
Jim Vena Takes Over as CEO of Union Pacific, Replacing Lance Fritz

Union Pacific, the second-largest freight railroad company in the U.S., has announced a change in its leadership.

Canadian West Coast Ports Strike Disrupts U.S. Freight Rail Cargo, Triggering Supply Chain Concerns
Canadian West Coast Ports Strike Disrupts U.S. Freight Rail Cargo, Triggering Supply Chain Concerns

The ongoing strike at Canadian West Coast ports is causing a significant impact on freight rail cargo entering the United States, according to weekly rail trade data from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Railroad Industry Challenges Ohio's Minimum Crew-Size Requirement After Train Derailment
Railroad Industry Challenges Ohio's Minimum Crew-Size Requirement After Train Derailment

The railroad industry has filed a lawsuit to block a new rule in Ohio that mandates a two-person crew for freight trains and imposes stricter regulations on wayside detectors.

CSX and CPKC Railroads to Enhance Southeast Traffic with Network Connection Investment
CSX and CPKC Railroads to Enhance Southeast Traffic with Network Connection Investment

CSX and CPKC railroads have announced a partnership to strengthen a currently underutilized connection between their networks in the southeastern region of the United States.

Norfolk Southern Railroad CEO's Focus on Safety Intensifies Following Ohio Derailment
Norfolk Southern Railroad CEO's Focus on Safety Intensifies Following Ohio Derailment

Norfolk Southern's CEO, Alan Shaw, has emphasized the importance of safety and better service, particularly after a train derailed and caught fire in Ohio.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX Corp. Acquire Rail Assets from Genesee & Wyoming
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX Corp. Acquire Rail Assets from Genesee & Wyoming

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX Corp. have reached an agreement to purchase additional rail assets, creating a direct interchange connection between CPKC and CSX in Alabama.

Train in Southern California Derails Following Collision with Truck: 198 Passengers Aboard
Train in Southern California Derails Following Collision with Truck: 198 Passengers Aboard

An Amtrak train carrying nearly 200 passengers derailed in Southern California after colliding with a county water truck, leaving the truck's driver critically injured.

States Pursue Independent Rail Safety Measures Amid Federal Gridlock and Industry Opposition
States Pursue Independent Rail Safety Measures Amid Federal Gridlock and Industry Opposition

Several states are taking action to address rail safety concerns following train derailments, leading them to pursue their own remedies in the absence of federal action.

AAR Report Shines Light on Railroads' Crucial Role in Tackling Climate Change
AAR Report Shines Light on Railroads' Crucial Role in Tackling Climate Change

A report by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) highlights the freight railroad industry's significant potential in combating climate change.

Regulators Confirm Safety Following Train Incident in Yellowstone River
Regulators Confirm Safety Following Train Incident in Yellowstone River

Preliminary testing of water and air quality along the Yellowstone River, where train cars carrying hazardous materials fell into the water after a bridge collapse, did not reveal any immediate threat to the public, according to state and federal officials.

New hydrogen locomotives from CPKC and CSX
New hydrogen locomotives from CPKC and CSX

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX Corp. have announced a joint venture to develop and deploy hydrogen conversion kits for diesel-electric locomotives, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the freight rail industry.

BNSF Prepares for Intermodal Surge After West Coast Ports' Contract Deal
BNSF Prepares for Intermodal Surge After West Coast Ports' Contract Deal

Following the resolution of the contract dispute at West Coast ports, BNSF Railway Co. (BNSF) has announced its readiness to handle an anticipated surge in intermodal volumes once freight levels in the region return to normal.

Freight Train Batteries Could Aid Power Grid in Emergencies
Freight Train Batteries Could Aid Power Grid in Emergencies

Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory propose using electric batteries on freight trains to support the power grid during spikes in energy demand.

Union Pacific and BNSF have introduced new intermodal services at Port Houston
Union Pacific and BNSF have introduced new intermodal services at Port Houston

Union Pacific and BNSF, two of the largest rail carriers in the United States, have introduced new intermodal services at Port Houston, transforming the logistics landscape for transporting goods to key U.S. markets.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

Inflation seems to be sticking around for a while
Next

Lithium-ion batteries need global collaboration