Canadian National Railway Company has taken a formal step to seek greater transparency into a proposed blockbuster merger between two of its major U.S. competitors. On Monday, January 12, 2026, the Montreal-based railway confirmed it filed a motion with the United States Surface Transportation Board (STB).
Formal Request for Merger Disclosure
The motion asks the federal regulator to issue an order directing Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation to provide more comprehensive information related to their merger agreement. CN is seeking details that go beyond what has been publicly disclosed, aiming to understand the full scope and potential competitive implications of the deal that would combine two of the largest railroads in the western and eastern United States.
Regulatory Scrutiny of Major Rail Consolidation
The proposed union of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern represents one of the most significant potential consolidations in the North American rail industry in decades. Such a merger would dramatically reshape the competitive landscape, creating a coast-to-coast rail giant. The STB, which oversees railway mergers and acquisitions in the U.S., is expected to subject the proposal to intense scrutiny. CN's filing indicates that the Canadian carrier believes key details necessary for a thorough regulatory review are currently lacking.
This intervention by CN is a strategic move to ensure the STB has all relevant data to assess the merger's impact on competition, service, and rates. Rival railroads, shippers, and other stakeholders often petition regulators for more information during major merger reviews to protect their commercial interests and market access.
Implications for North American Rail Networks
The outcome of this merger process carries substantial consequences for cross-border trade and supply chains between Canada and the United States. Canadian National, as a major carrier with extensive networks in Canada and key north-south routes into the U.S. heartland, has a direct stake in how a combined Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern would operate. The company's motion underscores the interconnected nature of North American railroading and the importance of transparent regulatory proceedings for deals of this magnitude.
The STB has not yet publicly responded to CN's motion. The regulatory review process for the proposed merger is likely to extend for many months, if not years, as the board evaluates economic, operational, and public interest factors.
