BVL – Trends and Strategies
Jan 16, 2026 at 8:15 AM
New Era on the Rails
Jan 16, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Union Pacific informed its customers about the benefits of the planned merger with Norfolk Southern during the Winter Meeting of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) on January 15, 2026. Last month, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted their application to the Surface Transportation Board to obtain approval for the creation of the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S., as the companies announced. The application includes analyses from experts intended to demonstrate how a coast-to-coast rail connection can provide faster services, higher reliability, and an improved cost structure.
According to Union Pacific, the application includes 2,000 letters of support from customers, public officials, industry associations, and labor unions, which are meant to illustrate the broad support for the initiative. „This is a transformative merger that will bring more competition to the railroad industry and force companies to improve their service, lower their prices, or do both,“ said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena.
