MONTREAL, July  22, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) and Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) announced today that they have signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for CN to secure

Union Pacific and CN Reach Agreement to Expand Customer Opportunities in Connection with Merger

CN Expands Midwest Access Tied to UP-NSC Merger Pending STB Approval

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 <section data-block="information">
 <h3>Information</h3>
 MONTREAL, July 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) and Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) announced today that they have signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for CN to secure
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 <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
 <h3>AI Summary</h3>
 CN and Union Pacific disclosed a binding MOU to secure competitive access in the UP-NS merger, subject to STB approval. The framework expands CN&#039;s Midwest footprint, including ownership in KCT and TRRA and access to Kansas City via Neff Yard. If approved, CN gains greater competitive options and potential volume growth across the central United States.
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 <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
 <h3>Key Points</h3>
 <ul><li>CN and Union Pacific sign MOU for competitive access amid UP-NSC merger; STB approval.</li><li>CN gains ownership in KCT and TRRA, expanding Midwest access via Neff Yard.</li><li>CN gains Midwest access: Tuscola-East St. Louis and KC service via Neff Yard.</li><li>CN will not oppose the UP-NSC merger; framework to take effect through STB.</li></ul>
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 <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
 <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
 <ul><li>Canadian National Railway (CNI): Expands Midwest footprint; ownership in KCT/TRRA; depends on regulator approval.</li><li>Union Pacific (UNP): Parties to framework; expansion affects competitive dynamics amid UP-NSC merger.</li><li>Norfolk Southern (NSC): Merger counterparty; CN access gains tied to this transaction.</li></ul>
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 <h3>Industry News</h3>
 This is industry-wide strategic development within the North American rail sector, illustrating how regulatory-driven mergers shape network access and competitive dynamics.
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 <section data-block="market-moving">
 <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
 <ul><li>STB approval risk could delay realizing CN&#039;s Midwest gains.</li><li>Expanded CN footprint may shift rail capacity and pricing in the Midwest.</li><li>UP-NSC merger timeline provides near-term regulatory catalyst.</li><li>Investors may reprice CN on potential higher cross-border volumes.</li></ul>
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 <section data-block="key-facts">
 <h3>Key Facts</h3>
 <ul><li>Date of release: July 22, 2026.</li><li>Binding MOU between CN and UP tied to UP-NSC merger; contingent on STB approval.</li><li>CN gains ownership in Kansas City Terminal Railway (KCT) and Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA).</li><li>CN gains overhead rights between Tuscola, IL and East St. Louis, IL; service between St. Louis and Kansas City; Neff Yard access.</li><li>CN will not oppose UP-Norfolk Southern merger; collaboration through STB process.</li></ul>
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 <section data-block="trading-thesis">
 <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
 CN&#039;s Midwest access expansion could lift volumes and margins within 6–12 months if STB approves.
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<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/styles/gnw_nitf.css"></link>MONTREAL, July 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CNR">CNR</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CNI">CNI</a>) and Union Pacific (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNP">UNP</a>) announced today that they have signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for CN to secure competitive access in connection with the proposed transaction between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NSC">NSC</a>). The settlement agreement preserves customer options and resolves terminal railroad ownership issues, while expanding CN’s presence in the Midwest and reaffirming gateway protections for all customers and railroads. Under the settlement agreement, which is contingent on the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) approval and closing of the merger: <ul type="disc"><li style="text-align:justify;">CN gains access to shipper facilities where Class I railroad options would be reduced from 2-to-1 or 3-to-2, where commercially and operationally feasible. </li><li style="text-align:justify;">CN acquires Norfolk Southern&#39;s ownership interests in the Kansas City Terminal Railway Company (KCT) and the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA). </li><li style="text-align:justify;">CN gains new access in the Midwest through overhead rights between Tuscola, Illinois, and East St. Louis, Illinois, and rights to serve customers between St. Louis, Missouri, and Kansas City, Missouri. For the first time, CN will have a footprint in the heart of Kansas City, with usage of Union Pacific’s Neff Yard. </li><li style="text-align:justify;">CN will not oppose the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. Both parties will collaborate through the STB process to ensure that this agreement takes effect. </li></ul> "From day one, we’ve said our merger with Norfolk Southern will preserve and enhance competitive options and create a stronger railroad industry that delivers better service for customers," said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena. "This settlement agreement reinforces those commitments by giving expanded access and operating rights to a tough competitor." "As the rail industry considers significant structural change, it is essential that customers continue to benefit from meaningful competition and choice," said CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson. "This framework would preserve competitive access to key markets, including Kansas City, while positioning CN to continue providing reliable and efficient options for customers across North America." Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements by CN and Union Pacific included in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The companies caution that their assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "assumes," "outlook," "plans," "targets," or other similar words. Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The companies assume no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event CN or Union Pacific do update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that they will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. About CN CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the U.S. Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.  <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width:100%; border-collapse:collapse ;"><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:100%;">Contacts:  </td></tr><tr><td style="width:34.2342%;;vertical-align: top ; ">Media</td><td style="width:65.7658%;;vertical-align: top ; ">Investment Community</td></tr><tr><td style="width:34.2342%;;vertical-align: top ; ">Ashley Michnowski</td><td style="width:65.7658%;;vertical-align: top ; ">Jamie Lockwood</td></tr><tr><td style="width:34.2342%;;vertical-align: top ; ">Senior Manager</td><td style="width:65.7658%;;vertical-align: top ; ">Vice-President</td></tr><tr><td style="width:34.2342%;;vertical-align: top ; ">Media Relations</td><td style="width:65.7658%;;vertical-align: top ; ">Investor Relations &amp; Special Projects</td></tr><tr><td style="width:34.2342%;;vertical-align: top ; ">(438) 596-4329</td><td style="width:65.7658%;;vertical-align: top ; ">(514) 399-0052 </td></tr><tr><td style="width:34.2342%;;vertical-align: top ; "><a href="mailto:media@cn.ca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">media@cn.ca</a></td><td style="width:65.7658%;;vertical-align: top ; "><a href="mailto:investor.relations@cn.ca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">investor.relations@cn.ca</a> </td></tr></table> ABOUT UNION PACIFIC Union Pacific (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNP">UNP</a>) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=K8DAXZfDZG0FhMq-mzbnBxuc9GSf9vinMwZZtB3wyYjahNCwyJn1HMmBhd629lt-l7x2War3OEfAd9daSEXoYQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.up.com</a>. Union Pacific Media Contact: <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=gl9Wsx4lTqTVhaMyZS2ZyoFZNeows885svJTF2lwxrh8WuSCtLoh3CfPQEimS-TTFwMHuL9EoFi7uHlNQNyznQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">media@up.com</a> <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=K8DAXZfDZG0FhMq-mzbnB0eFz4pwcel7UfiZepgFxGgM3FgY-77COJvr7BcEHLk8pwQLo14YnqRbV7ZneHY1yA==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.up.com</a> <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=uOcpX-RFUQrkxkpHusFukZGLZojpnIrAiYPThV627uD2n9Rv8BOQYS4ElfxwEq-d7m7vbLdY6ErFzB0vizty218jpgGEQ8E8U9aagR00hHRKwsuZ8_rw_zH97LO0f5u-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/unionpacific</a> <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=mjoAjuUU6P1eGh-FsrmPcBGRZ3ESbgJznE08cfRqpD9V3I455xZe6FoB2q9ipkI4tPGpE5QEJOu1qsMcgFhrRRZTiwHm5dNO2gEu94sdGYaAxFblnrreSvbeSama90XU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/unionpacific</a> <img alt="" class="__GNW8366DE3E__IMG" src="https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti?nf=OTc2Njc1OCM3NzE5Mjk0IzIwMDY1NDM="></img> <img alt="" src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/ZDQ0ZGViODAtYThjMy00ZDdhLTliN2YtMDZjZDQ3OWZkMTU3LTEwMTgxMTYtMjAyNi0wNy0yMi1lbg==/tiny/Canadian-National-Railway.png" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></img><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d8f3f116-ccaf-4c51-af12-154863973974"><img src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/d8f3f116-ccaf-4c51-af12-154863973974/small/cn100-logo-jpg.png" border="0" width="150" height="56" alt="Primary Logo"></img></a>

CN and Union Pacific disclosed a binding MOU to secure competitive access in the UP-NS merger, subject to STB approval. The framework expands CN's Midwest footprint, including ownership in KCT and TRRA and access to Kansas City via Neff Yard. If approved, CN gains greater competitive options and potential volume growth across the central United States.

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Union Pacific and CN Reach Agreement to Expand Customer Opportunities in Connection with Merger

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