The Surface Transportation Board has granted another deadline extension in the Amtrak CN STB case, a long-running proceeding over a new operating agreement.

Amtrak train at Newark Penn Station
Illustrative photo of an Amtrak train at Newark Penn Station in May 2025. Photo: Phil Richards / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Reply submissions deadline moved to August 17

The July 8, 2026, decision shifts the deadline for reply submissions from July 17 to Aug. 17. Amtrak and Canadian National jointly requested the additional month, saying their operating agreement negotiations remain active and that they continue:

“to make substantial progress toward reaching agreement on numerous issues … Given the number and complexity of issues, it is important as the parties work to reach agreement that they concentrate their resources and efforts on their ongoing negotiations rather than the submissions currently due July 17, 2026.”

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Amtrak CN STB case dates back to 2013

The board has now granted 10 extensions since reviving the proceeding in February 2025. The case had previously been dormant since 2022, when the STB ordered both parties to make technical additions and corrections to earlier filings.

CN freight train near Abbotsford, British Columbia
Illustrative aerial view of a CN freight train near Abbotsford, British Columbia. Photo: CN

The proceeding began in July 2013, when Amtrak sought “expedited consideration” of its request for board intervention in negotiations with CN over a contract due to expire that August.

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