The Canadian National Railway Co. (CN) took criticism this winter from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shippers as congestion in Western Canada delayed cargos. The railroad’s issues have been well-documented. Less advertised has been troubled service from Union Pacific Railroad Co. (UP) and Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCS) in Houston.

In response to shipper complaints, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in March asked all seven Class 1 railroads operating in the U.S. to report on their operational plans for 2018.

A late March letter from UP CEO Lance Fritz and early April letter from KCS CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer both specifically mentioned slowdowns in the Houston area.

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