The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has filed a notice of intent to participate in the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) review of the forthcoming Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern application seeking authorization to combine their networks under common ownership and form a U.S. transcontinental.
“This proposed major consolidation transaction is of significant interest to short line railroads across the nation,” ASLRRA said in its Nov. 19 filing announcement. “Both individually and collectively with the involvement of the ASLRRA, short lines are actively engaged in ascertaining how the proposed transaction may positively or negatively impact smaller railroads and their customers.”
The Association’s participation, it noted, “will focus on ensuring the transaction, as presented to the STB by the applicants or as may be conditionally approved, adequately addresses any impact on smaller railroads and their customers, and supports” the following measures:
- Short line carload traffic growth and enhanced Class I/short line interchange efficiencies.
- Frequent and reliable railroad service post-transaction.
- Competition across the overall network.
“On behalf of our members, ASLRRA will productively engage in the STB process, seeking to enhance competition, improve customer service, and grow rail volume across the U.S. freight rail network by building on successful win-win partnerships between Class I’s and short lines,” ASLRRA President Chuck Baker said.
UP and NS this summer submitted to the STB a notice of intent to file an application for STB approval of a proposed merger; in their notice, UP and NS stated that they intended to file their application on or before Jan. 29, 2026. The application would be part of STB docket FD 36873.
Shareholders of UP and NS, in special meetings held Nov. 14, approved the merger of the two railroads, with in-favor margins approaching 100%. The transaction, both companies said, is expected to close “by early 2027, subject to Surface Transportation Board review and approval within its statutory timeline and customary closing conditions.”
