FW Desk News
FreightWatch.News
Friday, September 18, 2026
Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena criticized competing railroads for seeking extensive trackage rights over a combined UP-Norfolk Southern system, calling the requests fundamentally flawed business strategy.
BNSF Railway, CPKC, and CSX, along with 11 short lines, filed requests with the Surface Transportation Board seeking widespread access to the merged carrier's network. BNSF specifically sought 824 miles of trackage rights over Norfolk Southern between Chicago and intermodal terminals in Harrisburg and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The group also proposed establishing a neutral switching carrier for Gulf Coast chemical facilities.
Vena argued that granting such rights would simply invite higher pricing structures that disadvantage requesting carriers. He expressed openness to selective partnership agreements, citing recent deals with Canadian National involving reciprocal haulage and trackage arrangements. These included haulage rights between Memphis and Eagle Pass, Texas, and trackage rights around Chicago via CN's former Elgin, Joliet & Eastern bypass.
The UP-NS merger agreement permits UP to withdraw if the STB imposes excessive conditions.
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