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The proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger would put roughly 50% of U.S. rail units under a single operator — and BNSF is fighting it. Zak Andersen, BNSF’s chief of staff and VP of communications, breaks down why no concession package clears the bar set by the STB’s 2001 merger rules, what the CPKC-Laredo gateway closure signals for Chicago and Memphis, and why the merger’s truck-to-rail conversion projections don’t hold up. Sponsored by Wi-Tronix. The sponsor message positions Wi-Tronix as a provider of real-time operational intelligence for railroads, helping uncover incremental performance improvements through actionable insights — with the premise that operational excellence compounds from better individual decisions. More at wi-tronix.com.

When the rail network slows down, shippers need more cars to move the same amount of freight and that has direct consequences for fleet leasing, demurrage costs, and supply chain planning. IntelliTrans SVP Matt Everson joins host Bill Stephens to discuss how shippers are using transportation management data to forecast fleet size, optimize routing, and get ahead of cycle time variability before it hits the bottom line. Sponsored by Wi-Tronix. Wi-Tronix provides locomotive video systems paired with operational intelligence to help railroads identify risk, validate events, and strengthen safety protocols across their networks. Learn more at wi-tronix.com.

Chief Legal Officer Roger Nober joins host Bill Stephens to assess whether the UP/NS merger can clear the 2001 enhanced competition standard and why he believes conditions imposed on prior mergers have failed captive shippers. Nober discloses he has consulted for BNSF on the merger; opinions expressed are his own. Sponsored by Wi-Tronix. Wi-Tronix provides locomotive video systems paired with operational intelligence to help railroads identify risk, validate events, and strengthen safety protocols across their networks. Learn more at wi-tronix.com.

The proposed $85 billion Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger would create the first transcontinental railroad in the United States — and the first Class I combination to face the STB’s tougher 2001 merger review rules. Trains editor Bill Stephens sits down with Martin J. Oberman, who chaired the Surface Transportation Board from January 2021 through May 2024, to break down what the review process actually looks like from the inside. This episode of the TrainsPRO Podcast is presented by Wi-Tronix.At Wi-Tronix, we help railroads gain a clearer view of their operations through locomotive intelligence, video, and real-time performance insights, helping teams identify issues sooner and make more informed decisions. Better visibility leads to better outcomes.Learn more at Wi-Tronix.com.