The 2026 edition of Railway Age’s Next-Gen Freight Rail (NGFR) conference, March 10 at the Union League Club of Chicago, brings together many stakeholders involved with the proposal to create the first coast-to-coast transcontinental U.S. railroad. The “fireside chat” format will be the only rail industry conference to date with all six North American Class I railroads represented, plus the Surface Transportation Board, which is undertaking one of its most consequential tasks in its history—deciding on a major merger transaction under rules that will be applied for the first time.
“The proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern is the biggest topic in the rail industry today,” notes Railway Age Editor-Chief William C. Vantuono. “The leaders at the heart of this merger—Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena and Norfolk Southern President and CEO Mark George—open the conference, and we’re looking forward to engaging with them in an open forum. We’re also keen to discuss viewpoints with the other Class I railroads, and hear from the STB’s leaders on the challenges of navigating through the application making a decision based on many factors, not the least of which is the mandate that the proposed merger, under the new rules, must enhance competition, not merely preserve it.”
In addition to Jim Vena and Mark George, the NGFR speaker lineup also includes Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and COO John Orr, Railway Age’s 2026 Railroader of the Year; Patrick Fuchs, Chair, and Michelle Schulz, Vice Chair, Surface Transportation Board; Canadian Pacific Kansas City President and CEO Keith Creel; CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson, BNSF Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Tom G. Williams; CSX Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Maryclare Kenney; RailPulse LLC General Manager David Shannon; Littlejohn & Company Partner Farrukh Bezar; and CSX Vice President Engineering, C&S, PTC and Dispatch Systems and Railway Track & Structures 2025 Engineer of the Year Carl Walker. The luncheon will honor Railway Age’s 2026 25 Under 40 “Fast Trackers.”
Railway Age’s Next-Generation Freight Rail conference takes place March 10, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Union League Club of Chicago. A unique opportunity to discuss the freight rail industry’s future, the conference brings together top executives and thought leaders to discuss topics ranging from business strategy to the latest technological innovations and increasing safety and reliability. The conference also features a luncheon honoring the 2026 recipients of Railway Age‘s Fast Trackers 25 Under 40 award.
