The Surface Transportation Board on May 28, 2026 announced its unanimous decision accepting for consideration the revised major merger application filed April 30, 2026 by Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) (together, Applicants), along with a related application. The decision, Union Pacific Corporation and Union Pacific Railroad Company—Control—Norfolk Southern Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Docket No. FD 36873 (download below) holds the proceedings in abeyance—delayed—including environmental review, as STB has ordered the Applicants to submit supplemental information by July 27, 2026. The Board said it “will not initiate a procedural schedule that would in effect impose undue burden on commenting parties.” BNSF, CN, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), Freight Rail Customer Alliance (FRCA) and Stop The Rail Merger Coalition (STRMC) issued statements, as did UP and NS, jointly. CSX so far has not issued a response. STB Chair Patrick Fuchs, Vice Chair Michelle Schultz and Member Karen Hedlund rendered the decision. Member Richard Kloster’s name is not on it, as though he has been Senate-confirmed, he hasn’t yet been sworn in. “Following the Board’s Jan. 16, 2026, unanimous decision finding that the Applicants’ original application was incomplete because it did not contain certain information required by the Board’s regulations at 49 C.F.R. part 1180, the Applicants submitted a revised application on April 30, 2026, and the Board considered public comments on the completeness of the revised application,” STB said. “[We now] find that the Applicants have provided sufficient…
