STB Issues CPKC Final EIS
The Surface Transportation Board on Jan. 27 completed a final, critical (and very lengthy) step in its consideration of the proposed Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger to form CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
DOJ to STB: ‘Protect Rail Competition’ (UPDATED)
The U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division on Jan. 24 reaffirmed its “support for the [Surface Transportation] Board’s review process and careful scrutiny of the competitive implications of the proposed transaction” that would merge Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS). The railroads respond.
Report: City of Washington, Iowa Accepts CP Crossing Closure Counteroffer
In a unanimous vote, the Washington (Iowa) City Council has accepted a counteroffer from Canadian Pacific (CP) that would allow the city to secure city funds and “municipal cooperation” for the proposed CP-Kansas City Southern (KCS) merger, which would “increase train traffic by more than 300% in the area,” the Southeast Iowa Union reported on Nov. 21.
CP, KCS to STB: ‘A Perfect Fit With No Overlap’
Inching toward a decision on the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, the Surface Transportation Board held seven days of hearings* on the transaction, with numerous presenters, both pro and con.
Commentary
‘Politically Motivated Bullying, Special-Interest Pandering’
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) wants the Surface Transportation Board to dump the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, unless he gets his way.
Second KCS U.S./Mexico Border Bridge Getting Closer
Construction is expected to start in October or November on a second Kansas City Southern international rail bridge at the U.S./Mexico border connecting the border cities of Laredo, Tex. and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
CP 2022-23 Grain Plan: ‘Deliver Outstanding Service’
Since 2018, the Canadian government, through changes in Section 151.01(1) of Canada Transportation Act, has required Canada’s railroads to publish grain movement plans for the forthcoming crop year. Grain is crucial to Canada’s
Draft EIS Released for CP-KCS Merger Proposal
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzing Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) potential impacts on the environment was issued Aug. 5 by the Surface Transportation Board (STB); comments are due by Sept. 26, 2022.
KCS, CP, GATX, Rotary, NASCO Team for a ‘Butterfly Effect’ (Updated)
Here’s something probably not too many rail industry people know: The migration path of the Monarch Butterfly, recently declared an endangered species, closely follows the alignment of the combined north-south Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern networks, which (pending merger approval by the Surface Transportation Board) will in early 2023 merge to form CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City), North America’s first transnational freight railroad.
Commentary
‘DDKN’ the ‘Textbook Definition of NIMBY’
A perhaps little-known bit of railroad trivia is that, according to a reliable industry source, Illinois Senator and Majority Whip Dick Durbin held the late E. Hunter Harrison in extreme contempt (that’s a polite way of saying “hated”), and the feeling was mutual.