On December 20, 1999, BNSF and the recently privatized Canadian National Railway announced plans (STB Finance Docket No. 33842) to combine as subsidiaries of a new holding company, North American Railways, which would control about 50,000 miles (80,000 km) of railroad.
Pada tanggal 20 desember 1999, BNSF dan Canadian National Railway mengumumkan rencana (Keuangan Perkara STB No. 33842) untuk bergabung sebagai anak perusahaan baru perusahaan induk, North American Railways, yang akan menguasai jalur sepanjang sekitar 50000 mil (80000 km).