STB delays Watco’s acquisition of CN branches in Wisconsin, Michigan

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators have indefinitely postponed Canadian National’s proposed sale of former Wisconsin Central branches to short line operator Watco. The Surface Transportation Board ordered Watco to respond to concerns that some shippers, shipper associations, and U.S. Rep Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., have raised about the sale of 650 miles of light density branches, including […]

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CN raises outlook for year as economy recovers, volume remains strong

MONTREAL — Canadian National has raised its financial outlook for the year amid record first-quarter intermodal and Canadian grain volumes, and expectations for continued economic improvement that will boost merchandise traffic. CN now expects volume to grow in the high single-digit percentage range this year, up from around 5% forecast in January, executives said while […]

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CN envisions finalizing KCS merger deal within 30 to 40 days

MONTREAL — Canadian National could finalize a merger deal with Kansas City Southern in the next 30 to 40 days, executives said today. With the KCS board agreeing over the weekend to consider CN’s unsolicited $33.7 billion merger offer, CN tomorrow will begin poring over confidential KCS data and negotiating a final merger agreement. Rival […]

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CP says broad CN overlap with KCS system poses regulatory hurdle

CALGARY, Alberta — A combined Canadian National and Kansas City Southern system would reduce railroad competition across wide swath of its expanded service territory, which would pose a regulatory challenge to a potential merger, Canadian Pacific CEO Keith Creel says. “The competition between KCS and CN is not limited to a ‘handful’ of shippers as CN […]

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News photo: Exo donates gallery coach to Exporail

Exo, the Montreal-area commuter railroad, has donated a gallery coach, to Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum in Saint-Constant, Quebec, on Montreal’s south shore. AMT No. 900 — the abbreviation refers to Exo predecessor Agence métropolitaine de transport — was moved to the museum on Friday from Exo’s Pointe St-Charles maintenance facility. The transit agency had […]

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CN touts its bid for Kansas City Southern, rebuts CP criticism

WASHINGTON – The railroad duel of the 21st century continues. In a letter to federal regulators, Canadian National today touted its “superior” bid for Kansas City Southern and sought to correct “misleading statements” that Canadian Pacific made this week about a potential CN-KCS merger. Last month CP and KCS reached a friendly, $29 billion deal […]

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Union Pacific warily watching CP-CN battle for Kansas City Southern

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific is closely watching the battle for Kansas City Southern and how an acquisition by either Canadian Pacific or Canadian National could affect its cross-border traffic. UP CEO Lance Fritz notes that U.S. regulations require that mergers between Class I railroads must enhance competition and improve service for all shippers. “For […]

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Digest: Capitol Corridor memo expresses concern about Oakland ballpark plan

Oakland ballpark plan creates grade crossing issues, memo says The head of the agency operating California’s Capitol Corridor Amtrak service has voiced concerns about grade-crossing issues new a proposed new ballpark for the Oakland Athletics. The Waterfront District Ballpark adjacent to Jack London Square will require stadium visitors to cross a busy Union Pacific line […]

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Duplainville, Wis.: Milwaukee’s hot spot

Located just 20 miles west of Milwaukee in an easy to reach location, Duplainville offers up big-time railroading on two major Class I railroads, the Canadian National and the Canadian Pacific (plus Amtrak), a corner tavern with a great burger, and plenty of parking and other fans to mingle with. Join us for  a preview […]

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