Viewpoints on the Proposed Transcontinental Railroad
Leaders from ports, manufacturing, shipping, labor and government are weighing in on the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern combination to create America’s first transcontinental railroad. Their articles, op-eds and commentary highlight the benefits of the potential combination, including stronger competition, more reliable service, expanded access for underserved communities, continued safety advances and support for union jobs.
Featured Perspectives

Rail Merger Could Advance a More Equitable Freight Future
Juan Roberto Madrid
July 8, 2026

Questions About Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Opposition Campaign
Javier Manjarres
July 15, 2026
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An 85-Year-Old Locomotive Is Reminding America What It Can Still Build
J. Mark Powell
July 1, 2026
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Rail giants hate the $71 billion merger. The rest of us should love i
Michael Toth
August 7, 2026

Nissan, intermodal companies voice support for UP-NS merger
Trains Staff
August 6, 2026
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LETTER | Sioux Falls wins with merger creating transcontinental railroad
Dan Kippley
July 31, 2026

Letter to the editor: American manufacturing needs better rail
Braden Fischer
July 22, 2026

Union “NIMBY-ism” Shouldn’t Deter the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern Combination
Peter Roff
July 21, 2026
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The Teamsters’ Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern opposition sacrifices the wrong members
Tim Lee
July 20, 2026

Rail Merger Could Advance a More Equitable Freight Future
Juan Roberto Madrid
July 8, 2026

Questions About Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Opposition Campaign
Javier Manjarres
July 15, 2026
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An 85-Year-Old Locomotive Is Reminding America What It Can Still Build
J. Mark Powell
July 1, 2026
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Rail giants hate the $71 billion merger. The rest of us should love i
Michael Toth
August 7, 2026

Nissan, intermodal companies voice support for UP-NS merger
Trains Staff
August 6, 2026
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LETTER | Sioux Falls wins with merger creating transcontinental railroad
Dan Kippley
July 31, 2026

Letter to the editor: American manufacturing needs better rail
Braden Fischer
July 22, 2026

Union “NIMBY-ism” Shouldn’t Deter the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern Combination
Peter Roff
July 21, 2026
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The Teamsters’ Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern opposition sacrifices the wrong members
Tim Lee
July 20, 2026

Rail Merger Could Advance a More Equitable Freight Future
Juan Roberto Madrid
July 8, 2026

Questions About Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Opposition Campaign
Javier Manjarres
July 15, 2026
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An 85-Year-Old Locomotive Is Reminding America What It Can Still Build
J. Mark Powell
July 1, 2026
Stakeholder Perspectives
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Rail giants hate the $71 billion merger. The rest of us should love i
Michael Toth
August 7, 2026
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Nissan, intermodal companies voice support for UP-NS merger
Trains Staff
August 6, 2026
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LETTER | Sioux Falls wins with merger creating transcontinental railroad
Dan Kippley
July 31, 2026
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Letter to the editor: American manufacturing needs better rail
Braden Fischer
July 22, 2026
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Union “NIMBY-ism” Shouldn’t Deter the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern Combination
Peter Roff
July 21, 2026
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The Teamsters’ Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern opposition sacrifices the wrong members
Tim Lee
July 20, 2026
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Questions About Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Opposition Campaign
Javier Manjarres
July 15, 2026
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Rail Merger Could Advance a More Equitable Freight Future
Juan Roberto Madrid
July 8, 2026
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An 85-Year-Old Locomotive Is Reminding America What It Can Still Build
J. Mark Powell
July 1, 2026
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Union Pacific And Norfolk Southern: How Politics Can Have A Body Count
John Tamny
June 29, 2026
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Stop the Madness, and Let Union Pacific Merge With Norfolk Southern
David Williams
June 24, 2026
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Uncle Sam’s Reindustrialization Needs A Spark From Transcontinental Railroad
Kenneth Rapoza
June 22, 2026
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How Better Freight Rail Translates to Lower Prices for Consumers
Tirzah Duren
June 11, 2026
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While Washington debates rail policy, Canada is quietly winning the trade war
Amy (Koch) Frederiksen
June 5, 2026
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A rail merger that could deliver for East Texas
Kermit Kennedy, Angelina County commissioner
June 3, 2026
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Restoring Affordability Starts With Modernizing America’s Freight Network
Paul Teller
June 3, 2026
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What 40 years of deregulation teach about the UP-NS rail merger
Tim Huelskamp
June 1, 2026
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The Railway Merger That Will Strengthen National Security
Merrick “Mac” Carey
June 1, 2026
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Proposed Union Pacific – Norfolk Southern Merger Would Strengthen Laredo’s Rail Gateway
Texas Laredo Economic Development Corporation
May 31, 2026
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America’s railroads could learn a lot from wireless networks
Michael O’Rielly
May 29, 2026
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Why a Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger would be a win for Illinois
Jaime di Paulo
May 26, 2026
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The U.S. freight network is broken by design. One merger could start fixing it
Brigham A. McCown
May 21, 2026
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How the Union Pacific merger could revitalize America’s rail industry
Aiden Buzzetti
May 14, 2026
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How the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger helps SW MT
Todd Godfrey
May 12, 2026
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Resubmitted and ready — Why the UP-NS merger deserves a fair hearing
Michael Gorman
May 7, 2026
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The case for the UP-NS merger runs through America’s Heartland
Paul Prentice
May 7, 2026
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A Stronger Freight Network Means Lower Prices for Americans
Charlie Sauer
May 5, 2026
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Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail merger puts America first
Drew Bond
May 5, 2026
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Union Pacific’s Acquisition Of Norfolk Southern Is About Life & Death
John Tamny
May 5, 2026
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A Stronger Freight Network Would Be a Win for Missouri Jobs and Investment
Jerry Nolte
April 30, 2026
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A connected rail network is essential for South Carolina’s growth
Keith Tutterow
April 30, 2026
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Our industrial gateway needs a rail network that keeps up
Matt Sebesta
April 28, 2026
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How This Historic Rail Merger Will Boost Jobs, Manufacturing & America First
Andrew Langer
April 25, 2026
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Proposed railway merger benefits port, Virginia and the US
George Allen
April 25, 2026
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Connecting and Revitalizing Virginia’s Economy Through Rail
Rick Boucher
April 19, 2026
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Connecting and Revitalizing Virginia’s Economy Through Rail
Kristen Walker
April 15, 2026
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Analysts say rail merger could cut shipping costs, ease delays for farmers
Tom Joyce
April 14, 2026
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Momentum is key for the Union Pacific – Norfolk Southern Merger
Andrew Langer
April 8, 2026
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How a Rail Merger Can Deliver for the Environment and Economy
Kevin Kimble
April 6, 2026
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If Lower Prices Are the Aim, Let Union Pacific & Norfolk Southern Merge
Ike Brannon
April 4, 2026
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America at 250: Rediscovering Exceptionalism in Rail and Space
Andrew Langer
April 3, 2026
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Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger could provide more reliability for Roseville businesses
Ananda Rochita
March 31, 2026
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Keeping South Carolina Manufacturing Competitive by Rail – Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger matters for South Carolina
Robert Shealy
March 20, 2026
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Chamber president says Union Pacific merger deserves ‘thoughtful consideration’
Chris LaFerla
March 13, 2026
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Rail Mergers – A Step Towards Making America Competitive Again
Graham Copley, Partner at Pentant LLC
March 12, 2026
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Largest rail union backs $85 billion Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger
Tom Joyce
March 11, 2026
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Derailing a huge railway merger will cost American consumers dearly
Yaël Ossowski
March 10, 2026
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Proposed Merger Between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Will Benefit Communities
John Hall
February 25, 2026
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Commentary: Freight rail merger can expand SC agribusiness
Randy Ligon
February 17, 2026
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Trump’s visit reminded Iowa what America First delivers
Denise Bubeck
February 13, 2026
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For competitiveness, Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Matters as Much as Tariffs
Antonio Ortiz-Mena
February 9, 2026
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STB Rejection of UP-NS Merger: A Delay, Not a Judgment
Michael F. Gorman
February 5, 2026
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By Merging, Union Pacific And Norfolk Southern Can Find The Future
John Tamny
February 5, 2026
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Coal and Power Groups Back UP–Norfolk Southern Rail Merger
Tom Joyce
January 8, 2026
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Norfolk Southern Merger Makes Sense for Georgia’s Freight Rail Network Needs
Rick Jasperse
December 26, 2025
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Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Will Create Economic Opportunities
Tim Huelskamp
December 25, 2025
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Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Could Reshape Missouri’s Freight Infrastructure
Dennis Hancock
December 25, 2025
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Pillen Backs Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger, Cites Jobs and Investment
Tristen Winder
December 19, 2025
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What a Unified Rail Network Could Mean for Dallas’ Future
Adam Bazaldua
December 18, 2025
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Strengthening Georgia’s Freight Future Through the UP-NS Rail Merger
Charlice Byrd
December 12, 2025
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A Stronger Rail Network Is a Win for South Carolina’s Economy
Nathan Ballentine
December 12, 2025
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A Stronger Rail System Means Stronger Small Businesses
Mary Jo Kukowski
December 8, 2025
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Opinion: It’s Missouri’s Moment to Become a Rail Powerhouse
Linda Ragsdale
December 4, 2025
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Commentary: A Stronger Rail Network Means a Stronger Future for Outdoor Businesses
Kyle Johnson
December 3, 2025
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Merger of Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern a Win for Small Businesses
Connor Wolfe
December 3, 2025
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Macon Mayor Shows Support for Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific Merger
Lester Miller
December 3, 2025
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Three State Attorneys General Voice Support for UP-NS Merger
Trains Staff
November 23, 2025
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A Stronger Future for the Delta Begins on Our Rails
Jessie McGruder
November 23, 2025
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Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern Merger Will Make U.S. Logistics Faster, Cheaper and Globally Competitive
Ike Brannon
November 21, 2025
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Bay City Issues Letter Supporting Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern Merger
Kavan Van Hal
November 21, 2025
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