Railway Age Next-Gen Freight Rail 2026
Event Info
Save the Date for March 2027!
Railway Age’s Next-Generation Freight Rail conference takes place March 10, 2026, at the Union League Club of Chicago. Join railroad executives, regulators, and industry experts for a focused day of discussion on leadership, regulation, growth, and the strategic forces shaping North American freight rail.
Industry Perspectives on the Proposed UP-NS Merger
CEOs from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will outline their perspectives on the proposed merger to create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. Railway Age editors will also speak with CPKC’s CEO to explore how the proposal is viewed across the broader rail network.
Strengthening Freight Rail
Rail-focused investment specialists will contextualize the factors influencing top-line growth in 2026, while CN will share its disciplined financial and operational approach in a shifting market. BNSF will weigh in on potential business opportunities, as well as the plausible effects of a changing rail landscape. Additional sessions will examine how current technologies are improving service reliability and assess the practical implications of reciprocal switching.
The Surface Transportation Board will offer a forward-looking outlook on regulatory process and modernization, including environmental streamlining and preemption, and how these issues shape the operating environment for freight rail.
The day concludes with Railway Age’s 2026 Railroader of the Year, John Orr of Norfolk Southern, discussing how “intentional leadership” is shaping performance and culture across his organization.
“Fast Trackers” Awards
The event will include a luncheon honoring the 2026 recipients of Railway Age‘s “Fast Trackers” 25 Under 40 award, recognizing emerging leaders within the rail industry.
SPEAKERS INCLUDE
Jim Vena
CEO, Union PacificMark R. George
President & CEO, Norfolk SouthernTracy Robinson
President & CEO, CNKeith Creel
President & CEO, CPKCPatrick J. Fuchs
Chair, Surface Transportation BoardMichelle A. Schultz
Vice Chair, Surface Transportation BoardKaren J. Hedlund
Member, Surface Transportation BoardTom G. Williams
EVP & Chief Marketing Officer, BNSFJohn Orr
EVP & COO, Norfolk SouthernDavid Shannon
General Manager, RailPulse LLCFarrukh Bezar
Partner, Littlejohn & CompanyJason Seidl
Managing Director, TD CowenDavid Nahass
President, Railroad Financial Corp.SPONSORSHIPS
Sponsorships are available for all Railway Age events. For more information, contact Jonathan Chalon at jchalon@sbpub.com, 212.620.7224.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Attendees of Next-Gen Freight Rail can reserve a room at the Union League Club of Chicago for the daily group rate of $239 per room + 20% per night surcharge, subject to availability.
Each guest is responsible for making their own reservations online, by phone, or via email. Individual guest reservations must be cancelled by 3:00pm CT the day prior to arrival in order to avoid a one-night room charge.
Check-in time is 3:00pm. The Club provides complimentary baggage and coat check for guests arriving early.
Online Booking with Group Code 330420
Book by phone or email by contacting 312-427-7800 / 800-443-0578, or clubservices@ulcc.org and mentioning Railway Age NGFR.
Union League Club of Chicago
65 West Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
CONTACT US
Questions? Reach out to us at conferences@sbpub.com.
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
The main conference program takes place in the Crystal Room on the 5th floor of the Union League Club.
6:00 AM
Exhibitor Set-up
7:00 AM
Registration / Badge Pick-up
Continental Breakfast sponsored by CPKC
8:00 AM
The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger: The Partners
Jim Vena, CEO, Union Pacific
Mark George, President & CEO, Norfolk Southern
Hosted by Railway Age Executive Editor Marybeth Luczak
8:45 AM
Innovation spotlight presented by Kaaro AI
Rail Is Leaving Money on the Table: The AI Playbook to Take It Back
Sai Surisetti, CEO, Kaaro AI
Gautham Venkateshwaran, Co-Founder & CTO, Kaaro AI
9:00 AM
2026 Rail Industry Perspective
Tracy Robinson, President & CEO, CN
Hosted by Railway Age Senior Editor Carolina Worrell
9:30 AM
Coffee Break sponsored by RailWorks Corporation
9:45 AM
The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger: CPKC’s Alternative View
Keith Creel, President & CEO, Canadian Pacific Kansas City
Hosted by Railway Age Executive Editor Marybeth Luczak
10:30 AM
Innovation Spotlight presented by 4AI Systems, Inc.
Perception to Prevention: Targeting Restricted Speed Enforcement with AI
Mark Wood, Chief Technology Officer, 4AI Systems, Inc.
10:45 AM
2026 STB Outlook: Process & Environmental Streamlining, Preemption & Modernization*
Patrick Fuchs, Chair, Surface Transportation Board
Michelle Schultz, Vice Chair, Surface Transportation Board
Karen J. Hedlund, Member, Surface Transportation Board
Hosted by Jason Seidl, TD Cowen Managing Director and Railway Age Wall Street Contributing Editor
11:30 AM
Luncheon in Presidents Hall, 2nd floor
Honoring Railway Age’s 2026 25 Under 40 “Fast Trackers”
Sponsored by Union Pacific
1:00 PM
Transforming Rail Service through Telematics
David Shannon, General Manager, RailPulse LLC
Hosted by David Nahass, President, Railroad Financial Corp. and Railway Age Financial Editor
1:30 PM
Opportunities and Potential Changes in the North American Rail Landscape
Tom G. Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, BNSF
Hosted by Railway Age Executive Editor Marybeth Luczak
2:00 PM
Innovation Spotlight presented by Canadian National
Yard Power Recharged
Sree Masabattula, Senior Director, Mechanical Strategy and Reliability, Canadian National
2:15 PM
Afternoon Energy Break presented by Plasser American
2:30 PM
What Does It Take to Grow the Top Line?
Farrukh Bezar, Partner, Littlejohn & Co.
Hosted by Jason Seidl, TD Cowen Managing Director and Railway Age Wall Street Contributing Editor
3:00 PM
Innovation Spotlight Presented by Accommodations Plus International (API)
A Technology Driven Approach to Crew Accommodations
Falyn Coleman-Wright, PMP, Vice President Business Development, Accommodations Plus International (API)
3:15 PM
Reciprocal Switching: No Crystal Ball
Jason Tutrone, Attorney, Thompson Hine LLP
Timothy Strafford, Partner, Steptoe LLP
Hosted by Kevin Sheys, Partner, Rail Regulatory Law
4:00 PM
Intentional Leadership
John Orr, Executive Vice President & COO, Norfolk Southern, and Railway Age 2026 Railroader of the Year
Hosted by Railway Age Executive Editor Marybeth Luczak
4:30 PM
Adjourn
Program subject to change.
*The Board will not be discussing pending merger matters.
Sponsorships
Railway Age’s Next-Gen Freight Rail conference (NGFR) presents a unique opportunity to shape the freight rail industry’s future. The boutique event enables you to connect directly with key thought leaders, as well as the industry’s rising executives. Your sponsorship affirms your commitment to the continuing growth of the sector.
The NGFR conference includes a special luncheon recognizing the 2026 honorees of Railway Age‘s “Fast Trackers” 25 Under 40 awards. The annual awards are presented to freight and passenger railroaders from the United States, Canada and/or Mexico who have already made a significant impact in the industry.
Publisher
Jonathan Chalon
Tel: (212) 620-7224
jchalon@sbpub.com