STB Rejects Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific Complaint Against CPKC Meridian Operations

Key Details The Surface Transportation Board declined to investigate Canadian Pacific Kansas City's management of the Meridian Speedway, a 320-mile intermodal corridor connecting the West Coast to the Southeast. Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific had requested the probe after experiencing service disruptions following CPKC's May 2025 system cutover in former KCS territory. Why It Matters The STB found no need for intervention, stating that service issues have been resolved and merger conditions don't apply to intermodal traffic on this route. CPKC reported that transit times improved by late summer, contradicting competitor claims about deteriorating performance. The Dispute Tension escalated when CPKC reimposed an 8,500-foot train length restriction in August 2025, affecting a joint LA-to-Atlanta interline service that typically operates at 11,000 feet. NS and UP argued this created unnecessary delays, while CPKC CEO Keith Creel contended their oversized train shouldn't dictate operations for other customers. Next Steps With the STB ruling against intervention, NS and UP have exhausted their regulatory options for now. The decision clears the way for CPKC to continue current Meridian Speedway operations without further federal oversight.