Union Pacific Deploys Politicians, No Concessions in Merger Bid

Union Pacific Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp. are deploying some 2,000 elected officials, businesses, and civic groups in pursuit of an $85 billion merger that would create the nation’s first transcontinental freight railroad.

The companies didn’t offer significant concessions to rival railroads and concerned shippers in the nearly 7,000-page application they filed jointly on Dec. 19 before the Surface Transportation Board.

Instead, a template provided by the companies emphasizes four key phrases that appear in the bulk of letters signed by allies of the deal. They promise “improved service reliability” and “reduced transit times” for shippers and consumers, and an ...