advertisement

---

The United States’ largest regional is now a part of Canadian Pacific Railway. Yesterday, the Class I assumed operational control of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corp. (DM&E), as well as its subsidiaries the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corp. (IC&E) and Cedar American Rail Holdings.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved CPR’s acquisition of the DM&E on Sept. 30 and instituted a 30-day administrative period so registered participants could file final requests for information, clarification or conditions. Yesterday, the STB confirmed its decision, completing the acquisition process.

"We acquired the DM&E and IC&E railroads because of the opportunity for sustained double-digit top-line growth,” said CPR President and Chief Executive Officer Fred Green in a prepared statement. "The DM&E's speed to market, operational efficiency and organic growth reinforces our confidence in the strength and potency of this acquisition.”

The 2,500-mile DM&E interchanges with all seven Class Is and connects with CPR in Minneapolis and Winona, Minn., and Chicago. The DM&E and 1,400-mile IC&E operate in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

During the next three years, CPR plans to spend $300 million to upgrade the DM&E’s and IC&E’s networks

"We look to start building on the improvements the DM&E has already made in operating efficiency and safety," said CPR Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Kathryn McQuade.