---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 U.S.C. § 741"
title: "45"
title_heading: "Railroads"
number: "741"
heading: "Formation and structure"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/45/741"
units:
  - "Chapter 16 — Regional Rail Reorganization"
  - "Subchapter III — Consolidated Rail Corporation"
---

# §741. Formation and structure

- (a) **Establishment—** There shall be established within 300 days after January 2, 1974, in accordance with the provisions of this section, a [corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) to be known as the Consolidated Rail [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) or such other corporate name as may be duly adopted by the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5).
- (b) **Status—** The [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall be a for-profit [corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) established under the laws of a [State](/usc/45/702.md?p=19) and shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government. The [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall be deemed a [rail carrier](/usc/45/1104.md?p=6) subject to part A of subtitle IV of [title 49](/usc/49.md), shall be subject to the provisions of this Act and, to the extent not inconsistent with such Act and subtitle IV of [title 49](/usc/49.md), shall be subject to applicable [State](/usc/45/702.md?p=19) law. The principal [office](/usc/45/702.md?p=12) of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) or of its principal [railroad](/usc/45/702.md?p=15) operating [subsidiary](/usc/45/702.md?p=20) shall be located in Philadelphia in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- (c) **Incorporators—**
  - (1) The members of the executive committee of the [Association](/usc/45/702.md?p=1) shall be the incorporators of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) and shall take whatever steps are necessary to establish the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5), including the filing of articles of incorporation.
  - (2) Notwithstanding any provision of [State](/usc/45/702.md?p=19) law, after February 5, 1976, the members of the executive committee of the [Association](/usc/45/702.md?p=1) (including duly authorized representatives of members who are authorized by this chapter to be represented) and the chief executive officer and chief operating officer of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall adopt the bylaws of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) and serve as the Board of Directors of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) until all members of the Board of Directors of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) have been selected in accordance with [subsection (d)](#d) of this section. The chief executive officer shall serve as chairman of such Board until a chairman thereof is selected pursuant to [subsection (d)](#d) of this section, after which time such chairman shall serve at the pleasure of such Board.
- (d) **Board of Directors—**
  - (1) Notwithstanding any provision of [State](/usc/45/702.md?p=19) law, the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall provide that the Board of Directors of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall consist of 13 members selected in accordance with the articles and bylaws of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5), as follows:
    - (A) six individuals selected by the holders of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5)’s debentures and series A preferred stock voting as one class, with every $100 principal amount of debentures, and every $100 liquidation amount of series A preferred stock each receiving one vote for directors;
    - (B) three individuals selected by the holders of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5)’s series B preferred stock; and
    - (C) two individuals selected by the holders of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5)’s common stock.
  - (2) The chief executive officer and the chief operating officer of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall also serve on the Board, but the chief executive officer and chief operating officer of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall not be entitled to vote on the election or removal of either. In the event a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors due to death, disability or resignation of a director, such vacancy shall be filled only by a vote of the holders of the class of securities that initially elected such director.
- (e) **Initial capitalization—**
  - (1) The [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) is authorized to issue debentures, series A preferred stock, series B preferred stock, common stock, contingent interest notes, and other securities.
  - (2) Debentures and series A preferred stock shall be issued initially to the [Association](/usc/45/702.md?p=1). Series B preferred stock and common stock shall be issued initially to the estates of [railroads](/usc/45/702.md?p=15) in reorganization in the [region](/usc/45/702.md?p=17), to [railroads](/usc/45/702.md?p=15) leased, operated, and controlled by [railroads](/usc/45/702.md?p=15) in reorganization in the [region](/usc/45/702.md?p=17), and to other persons leased, operated or controlled by a [railroad in reorganization](/usc/45/702.md?p=16) who are transferors of [rail properties](/usc/45/702.md?p=14) in exchange for [rail properties](/usc/45/702.md?p=14) transferred to the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) pursuant to the [final system plan](/usc/45/702.md?p=8). Notwithstanding any other provisions of [State](/usc/45/702.md?p=19) or Federal law, the series B preferred stock and common stock shall have terms and conditions not inconsistent with the [final system plan](/usc/45/702.md?p=8). As a condition of its investment in the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5), the [Association](/usc/45/702.md?p=1) may require that the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) adopt limitations consistent with the [final system plan](/usc/45/702.md?p=8) on the circumstances under which dividends on the series B preferred stock and common stock are payable so long as any of the debentures or series A preferred stock are outstanding. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the [final system plan](/usc/45/702.md?p=8), the initial authorized number of shares of series B preferred stock may be 35,000,000, and the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) may issue initially for the purpose of the deposit required under [section 743(a)(1) of this title](/usc/45/743.md?p=a-1) such numbers of shares of series B preferred and common stock as the [Association](/usc/45/702.md?p=1) shall certify to the [Special Court](/usc/45/1104.md?p=8) pursuant to [section 719(c)(1)(3)](/usc/45/719.md)[^1] of this title, including any modifications in such numbers of shares as may be ordered by the [Special Court](/usc/45/1104.md?p=8) for the purpose of, and in connection with, such deposit and certification.
- (f) **Officers—** The officers of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall include a chief executive officer and a chief operating officer, who shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board; and such other officers as shall be provided for in the bylaws of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5).
- (g) **Voting trustees—** For and during the period between the deposit of securities of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) with the [special court](/usc/45/1104.md?p=8), in accordance with [section 743(a) of this title](/usc/45/743.md?p=a), and the distribution of such securities, in accordance with [section 743(c) of this title](/usc/45/743.md?p=c), the [special court](/usc/45/1104.md?p=8) shall, within 30 days after the date of conveyance pursuant to [section 743(b)(1) of this title](/usc/45/743.md?p=b-1), appoint one or more voting trustees for each class of securities which is so deposited. Such voting trustees shall, on behalf of the distributees, exercise the rights of the holders of such securities as their interests may appear. Within 30 days after such appointment, such voting trustees shall select members of the Board of Directors of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) on behalf of the holders of the class of securities whose rights they exercise pursuant to this subsection.
- (h) **Annual report—** The [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall transmit to the Congress and the President, not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, a comprehensive and detailed report on all activities and accomplishments of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) during the preceding fiscal year.
- (i) **Liability of directors—** No director of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) shall be liable, for money damages or otherwise, to any party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, if, with respect to the subject matter of the action, suit, or proceeding, such person was fulfilling a duty which he in good faith reasonably believed to be required by law or vested in him in his capacity as a director of the [Association](/usc/45/702.md?p=1) or as an officer of the United States. The United States shall indemnify such person against all judgments, amounts paid in settlement, and costs and expenses (including fees of accountants, experts, and attorneys), actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any such action, suit, or proceeding in which such person is determined to have met such standard of conduct. This subsection shall not be construed to grant any immunity from any criminal law of the United States.
- (j) **Signal systems—** If, within two years after August 13, 1981, the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) applies for the permission of the [Secretary](/usc/45/702.md?p=18) to substitute manual block signal systems for automatic block signal systems on lines on which less than 20,000,000 gross tons of freight are carried annually, the [Secretary](/usc/45/702.md?p=18) shall approve or disapprove such application within 90 days of its submission.
- (k) **Governing provisions after sale—** The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) and to activities and other actions and responsibilities of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) and its directors and employees after the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A), other than with regard to—
  - (1) [section 702 of this title](/usc/45/702.md);
  - (2) [section 711(d) of this title](/usc/45/711.md?p=d);
  - (3) [section 713 of this title](/usc/45/713.md), but only with respect to information relating to proceedings before the [special court](/usc/45/1104.md?p=8) established under [section 719(b) of this title](/usc/45/719.md?p=b);
  - (4) [section 719 of this title](/usc/45/719.md), other than [subsection (f)](#f) thereof;
  - (5) [section 726(f)(8) of this title](/usc/45/726.md?p=f-8), but only as such authority applies to activities related to the ESOP and related trust before the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A);
  - (6) [section 726(f)(9) of this title](/usc/45/726.md?p=f-9), but only as such indemnification applies to activities relating to the ESOP and related trust before the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A);
  - (7) [section 726(f)(10) of this title](/usc/45/726.md?p=f-10) with respect to all securities of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) issued or transferred in connection with the public offering under the [Conrail](/usc/45/1104.md?p=5) Privatization Act [[45 U.S.C. 1301](/usc/45/1301.md) et seq.] and all securities of [ConRail](/usc/45/1104.md?p=5) Equity [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) and all interests in the ESOP;
  - (8) [section 727(c)](/usc/45/727.md?p=c) and (e) of this title;
  - (9) [subsection (b)](#b) of this section, but only with respect to matters covered by the last sentence of such subsection;
  - (10) [subsection (i)](#i) of this section, but only as such authority applies to service as a director of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) before the sale of the interest of the United States in the common stock of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5);
  - (11) [section 742 of this title](/usc/45/742.md), but only to the extent of (A) the creation and maintenance of the power and authority of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) to operate rail service and to rehabilitate, improve, and modernize [rail properties](/usc/45/702.md?p=14), and (B) the creation and maintenance of the powers of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) as a [railroad](/usc/45/702.md?p=15) in any [State](/usc/45/702.md?p=19) in which it operates as of the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A);
  - (12) [section 743(b)(1)](/usc/45/743.md?p=b-1) and (2) of this title, but only to the extent of establishing the legal effect of the conveyance of property ordered and of the deeds and other instruments executed, acknowledged, delivered, or recorded in connection therewith and the quality of title acquired in such property;
  - (13) [section 743(b)(3)(B) of this title](/usc/45/743.md?p=b-3-B) with respect to the effect of an assignment, conveyance, or assumption as set forth in the last sentence of such subparagraph (B);
  - (14) [section 743(b)(5) of this title](/usc/45/743.md?p=b-5);
  - (15) [section 743(b)(6) of this title](/usc/45/743.md?p=b-6), but only with respect to establishing and maintaining the rights of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) with respect to, limiting its obligations with respect to, and establishing the status of, the employee pension and welfare benefit plans transferred to the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) thereunder and with respect to the exclusivity of the jurisdiction of the [special court](/usc/45/1104.md?p=8) and the limitation of jurisdiction of other courts;
  - (16) [section 743(e) of this title](/usc/45/743.md?p=e);
  - (17) [section 744 of this title](/usc/45/744.md), but only with respect to the finality of abandonments completed before the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A) pursuant to the authority thereof;
  - (18) [section 745 of this title](/usc/45/745.md), but only as to the effect, and continuing administration, of [supplemental transactions](/usc/45/702.md?p=21) consummated before the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A);
  - (19) [section 748 of this title](/usc/45/748.md), but only (A) as to the finality of abandonments completed before the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A) and (B) as to abandonments of lines where a notice or notices of insufficient revenues with respect to such lines have been filed before November 1, 1985;
  - (20) [section 791(a)(2) of this title](/usc/45/791.md?p=a-2), but only with respect to activities before the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A);
  - (21) [section 791(b)(2)](/usc/45/791.md?p=b-2) and (b)(3) of this title, but only with respect to issuance of and transactions in any security of the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5) before the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A);
  - (22) [section 797a(e) of this title](/usc/45/797a.md?p=e);
  - (23) [section 797b of this title](/usc/45/797b.md);
  - (24) [section 797c of this title](/usc/45/797c.md);
  - (25) sections [797e(a)](/usc/45/797e.md?p=a), [797f](/usc/45/797f.md), and [797g(a)](/usc/45/797g.md?p=a) of this title, but only insofar as they establish part of the prevailing status quo for the [Corporation](/usc/45/702.md?p=5)’s employees’ rates of pay, rules, and working conditions, such provisions to continue to apply unless changed pursuant to [section 156 of this title](/usc/45/156.md);
  - (26) [section 797h of this title](/usc/45/797h.md);
  - (27) [section 797i(b)(1) of this title](/usc/45/797i.md?p=b-1);
  - (28) [section 797j of this title](/usc/45/797j.md); and
  - (29) [section 797m of this title](/usc/45/797m.md), but only with regard to disputes or controversies specified in such section that arose before the [sale date](/usc/45/702.md?p=17A).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be section “719(c)(3)”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 93–236, title III, § 301, Jan. 2, 1974, 87 Stat. 1004; Pub. L. 94–210, title VI, §§ 608, 611, 612(j)(1), (3), (m), Feb. 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 99, 105, 109, 110; Pub. L. 94–216, §§ 1, 3, Feb. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 191; Pub. L. 94–248, § 4, Mar. 25, 1976, 90 Stat. 286; Pub. L. 97–35, title XI, § 1141, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 653; Pub. L. 99–509, title IV, § 4032, Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1906; Pub. L. 104–88, title III, § 327(2), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 951.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsec. (b), means the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93–236, Jan. 2, 1974, 87 Stat. 985, which is classified principally to this chapter (§ 701 et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 701 of this title and Tables.

The Conrail Privatization Act, referred to in subsec. (k)(7), is subtitle A (§§ 4001–4052) of title IV of Pub. L. 99–509, Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1892, which is classified principally to chapter 22 (§ 1301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1301 of this title and Tables.

### Codification

In subsec. (b), “such Act and subtitle IV of title 49” substituted for “such Acts”, on authority of Pub. L. 95–473, § 3(b), Oct. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 1466, the first section of which enacted subtitle IV (§ 10101 et seq.) of Title 49, Transportation.

The last sentence of subsec. (f) of this section as originally enacted, which amended section 856 of former Title 31, Money and Finance, was repealed by Pub. L. 97–258, § 5(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1068, the first section of which enacted Title 31.

### Amendments

1995—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–88, § 327(2), substituted “rail carrier subject to part A of subtitle IV of title 49” for “common carrier by railroad under section 1(3) of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 1(3))”.

1986—Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 99–509 added subsec. (k).

1981—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1141(a), struck out provisions respecting resignations.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1141(b), substituted “The” for “In order to carry out the final system plan, the”.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1141(c), substituted provisions relating to signal systems for provisions relating to corporate simplification.

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–210, § 612(j)(1), inserted “or such other corporate name as may be duly adopted by the Corporation” after “Corporation”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–210, § 612(j)(3), inserted “or of its principal railroad operating subsidiary” after “of the Corporation”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–210, § 611(a), designated existing provisions as par. (1), struck out provision relating to service of the incorporators as the Board of Directors, and added par. (2).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–210, § 611(b), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted provision relating to applicability of State law, decreased membership from 15 to 13, and revised criteria for selection to membership, and added par. (2).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94–210, § 608, designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted provisions authorizing issuance of debentures, series A preferred stock, series B preferred stock, common stock, contingent interest notes, and other securities, for provisions relating to issuance of stock and other securities, and added par. (2).

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 94–248 inserted provisions relating to initial authorized number of shares of series B preferred stock and provisions setting such number at 35,000,000.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 94–210, § 611(c), added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f), which related to a Federal Government audit of the Corporation, was struck out.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 94–210, § 611(c), added subsec. (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h) “Annual report”.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 94–216, § 1, redesignated subsec. (h) “Liability of directors” as (i).

Pub. L. 94–210, §§ 611(c), 612(m), redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h) “Annual report” and added subsec. (h) “Liability of directors”.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 94–216, §§ 1, 3, redesignated former subsec. (h) “Liability of directors” as (i) and substituted “a director of the Association” for “a director of the Corporation”. Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).

Pub. L. 94–210, § 612(m), added subsec. (i) “Corporate simplification”.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 94–216, § 1, redesignated former subsec. (i) “Corporate simplification” as (j).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1995 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–88 effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1301 of Title 49, Transportation.

### Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section 1169 of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1101 of this title.

### Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (h) of this section relating to the requirement that the Corporation transmit an annual report to Congress, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and the 7th item on page 199 of House Document No. 103–7.

### Abolition of Special Court, Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, and Transfer of Functions

Special court abolished and all jurisdiction and functions transferred to United States District Court for District of Columbia, see section 719(b)(2) of this title.

### Abolition of United States Railway Association and Transfer of Functions and Securities

See section 1341 of this title.

### Applicability of National Environmental Policy Act

Application of National Environmental Policy Act to actions of Commission not affected by title VI of Pub. L. 94–210, see section 619 of Pub. L. 94–210, set out as a note under section 791 of this title.