“We’re excited to welcome Roehm’s new plant to our premier rail network, and we look forward to growing together for decades to come,” said Kenny Rocker, Executive Vice President–Marketing and Sales for UP. (UP Photograph)

Class I Briefs: UP, CPKC, BNSF

Union Pacific (UP) is serving Roehm’s new petrochemical plant in Bay City, Tex. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) team in Portage, Wis., marks nine years injury-free; and BNSF nears the finish line at the Cicero Intermodal Facility in Illinois.

(Union Pacific Photograph)
Commentary

TD Cowen 2Q25 Rail Shipper Survey Says …

Pricing expectations stalled in second-quarter 2025 and remain below our rail shipper survey’s long-term average. Business growth fell modestly sequentially to levels not seen since COVID. Economic confidence improved marginally, though well below the survey average. 47% of shippers would support a transcontinental merger. We are cautious for the rail group into earnings, though we favor Union Pacific (UP).

STB Affirms Continued Use of KCSR Haulage Rights

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on July 7 announced a decision confirming the Kansas City Southern Railway Company’s (KCSR, now part of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) with Canadian Pacific Railway (CP))

Commentary

Rail Insights 2025 Takeaways

FINANCIAL EDGE, RAILWAY AGE JULY 2025 ISSUE: At the 11th annual Rail Insights conference, participants from the Class I railroads and government and equipment sectors discussed the industry for the remainder of 2025 and beyond. Following are the key conference takeaways.

(UP Photograph)

STB Denies Metra’s Request for Temporary Injunction

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on July 1 denied a petition for injunctive relief and application for an emergency service order by Metra, which is in dispute with Union Pacific over regional/commuter rail service on UP-owned lines in the Chicago area.

Ore. Legislature Approves $100MM in Bonding Support for PCIP

The Oregon Legislature on June 30 approved a $100 million investment in the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP), a public-private project that will create a state-of-the-art container terminal in the Port of Coos Bay.

EQT Acquires UP-Accessible Logistics Facilities in Manteca, Calif.

EQT Real Estate on July 2 announced that EQT Exeter Industrial Value Fund VI has acquired a 2.04-million-square-foot portfolio of modern logistics facilities in Manteca, Calif.

Figure 1. An aerial view of the accident site. (Caption and Image Courtesy of NTSB)

NTSB Determines Probable Cause for UP Train Collision, Conductor Fatality Accident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the final report for its investigation of the July 6, 2024, accident involving a Union Pacific (UP) conductor fatally injured during a shoving operation in the Class I railroad’s Proviso Yard in Melrose Park, Ill.

Class I Briefs: CSX, BNSF/Watco, UP

CSX makes major infrastructure upgrades at Avon Yard in Indiana. Also, BNSF adds Watco’s Timber Rock Railroad (TIBR) to its “Shortline Select” program; and Union Pacific (UP) celebrates its 163rd birthday with the new commemorative No. 1616 Lincoln locomotive.

(Logo Courtesy of STB)

STB Rules on BNSF’s UP-SP Merger-Related Service Questions

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on June 30 denied both a request from BNSF to issue an order clarifying that it has the right to serve a Texas-based shipper and a petition for enforcement for BNSF to serve an Arkansas-based shipper—pursuant to conditions imposed by the Board as part of the Union Pacific-Southern Pacific merger approval.

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