Norfolk Southern‑Union Pacific merger proposed to strengthen U.S. manufacturing supply chains

Braden Fischer, owner of Buckeye Lures and Molds in Ohio, argues that a reliable freight network is essential for American manufacturing. He cites the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger as a way to improve rail capacity, converting 10,000 interline lanes to single‑line service and adding 88,000 new county‑to‑county connections. The merger is presented as a means to reduce delays, create more direct routes, and help domestic manufacturers access specialized materials—such as tungsten from China and premium hooks from Japan—more efficiently.

Fischer emphasizes that the U.S. recreational fishing market, worth over $5.5 billion annually, depends on these supply chains, and that a stronger rail system would make domestic sourcing more practical and competitive.