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Filing under Rule 425
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Filer: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Companies that are the subject of the filing:
Canadian National Railway Company
North American Railways, Inc.
Registration Statement No. 333-94397
[LOGO OF CANADIAN NATIONAL] [LOGO OF BURLINGTON
NORTHERN SANTA FE]
Our guarantee to rail shippers
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Over the past six weeks, we have been talking with customers about the proposed
combination of our two railroads. Customers have been telling us that they do
not want service problems or loss of route options such as those that followed
the UP-SP merger and the breakup of Conrail.
The CN-BNSF combination is unlike previous mergers or breakups. We are confident
we will deliver for you. The CN-BNSF combination will set a new standard for
service and competition in the railroad industry. We're doing more than asking
you to trust us.
We guarantee it
Guaranteed Service Levels - We will guarantee your service levels will be the
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same or better. If our performance doesn't measure up, we will make it right in
a way that's right for you.
Guaranteed Route Options - Existing gateways will remain open. Today's routes
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will remain available to you. A service alternative for the very few two-to-one
shippers will be assured.
You've probably heard from the other railroads. Don't be fooled by their claims.
They don't like the CN-BNSF combination because it means better service for you
and more competition for them.
We believe our prior mergers have worked for our customers, and this combination
will too. Learn the facts. You'll like what you hear. And you'll want the
benefits as soon as possible.
Your CN or BNSF Account or Market Manager will be talking to you about these
guarantee programs and what our combination means for you.
It's all about service
/s/ JAMES M. FOOTE /s/ CHARLES L. SCHULTZ
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James M. Foote Charles L. Schultz
Senior Vice President Executive Vice President
Sales and Marketing Chief Marketing Officer
Canadian National Burlington Northern Santa Fe
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Investors are urged to read the joint proxy statement/circular/prospectus
related to the CN/BNSF combination that was filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form F-4, together with any
amendments to it, as it contains important information. Investors can obtain
this and any other documents filed with the SEC without charge at the Internet
web site of the SEC (www.sec.gov). Other filings made by CN on Forms 40-F and
6-K may be obtained for free from the CN Corporate Secretary's office at (514)
399-6569. Other filings made by BNSF on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K may be obtained
for free from the BNSF Corporate Secretary's office at (817) 352-6856. For
information concerning participants in CN's solicitation of proxies for approval
of the combination, see "Certain Information Concerning Participants" filed by
CN under Rule 14a-12. For information concerning participants in BNSF's
solicitation of proxies for approval of The Combination, see "Certain
Information Concerning Participants" filed by BNSF on Schedule 14A under Rule
14a-12.
