- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 --------------------------------------------- AMENDMENT NO. 3 SCHEDULE 13E-3 RULE 13E-3 TRANSACTION STATEMENT (PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(e) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934) NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY (Name of the Issuer) NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BEAUFORT AND MOREHEAD RAILROAD COMPANY (Name of Persons Filing Statement) North Carolina Railroad Company 658238100 Common Stock, $.50 par value per share CUSIP Number of Class of (Title of Class of Securities) Securities) Scott M. Saylor David D. King E. Norris Tolson Executive Vice President Deputy Secretary, Transit, Rail and Aviation President and General Counsel North Carolina Department of Transportation Beaufort and Morehead North Carolina Railroad Company One South Wilmington Street Railroad Company 3200 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 110 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 One South Wilmington Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 (T) (919) 733-2520 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 (T) (919) 954-7601 (F) (919) 733-9150 (T) (919) 733-2520 (F) (919) 954-7099 (F) (919) 733-9150 (Name, Address, Telephone Number and Facsimile Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of Persons Filing Statement) With a copy to: James F. Verdonik Larry J. Dagenhart, Esq. Grayson G. Kelley, Esq. Kilpatrick Stockton LLP Smith Helms Mulliss & Moore, L.L.P. Special Deputy Attorney General Suite 400, 4101 Lake Boone Trail 214 N. Church Street North Carolina Department of Justice Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 One South Wilmington Street (T) (919) 420-1700 (T) (704) 343-2000 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 (F) (919) 420-1800 (F) (704) 334-8467 (T) (919) 733-3316 (F) (919) 733-9329 (CONTINUATION OF COVER PAGE OF SCHEDULE 13E-3) This statement is filed in connection with (check the appropriate box): a. /X/ The filing of solicitation materials or an information statement subject to Regulation 14A, Regulation 14C, or Rule 13e-3(c) under the Securities Exchange of 1934. b. / / The filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. c. / / A tender offer. d. / / None of the above Check the following box if the solicitation materials or information statement referred to in checking box (a) are preliminary copies: /X/ Calculation of Filing Fee - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transaction Valuation (1) Amount of Filing Fee (2) 70,769,262 $14,154 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the filing fee and pursuant to Rule 0-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act"), based upon an estimate of the proposed maximum amount of merger consideration that could be paid in the Merger ($66.00 per share in cash with respect to 1,072,262 shares). (2) The amount of the filing fee, calculated in accordance with Rule 0-11 of the Act, equals 1/50th of one percent of the Transaction Value. /X/ Check if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and date of its filing. Amount Previously Paid: $14,154 Filing Party: North Carolina Railroad Company Form of Registration No.: SCHEDULE 14A Date Filed: November 25, 1997 Statement File No. 0-15768 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exhibit Index appears on page 10 (ii) SCHEDULE 13E-3 INTRODUCTION This Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement (the "Statement") is being filed in connection with the proposed merger (the "Merger") of Beaufort and Morehead Railroad Company, a North Carolina corporation ("B&M") which is wholly owned by the State of North Carolina (the "State") through the North Carolina Department of Transportation ("DOT"), with and into North Carolina Railroad Company, a North Carolina corporation (the "Company"), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 3, 1997 and Amended and Restated as of January , 1998, among B&M, DOT and the Company (the "Merger Agreement"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit (c)(1). Upon consummation of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of B&M will cease, and the Company will continue as the surviving corporation, wholly owned by the State through the DOT. Upon completion of the Merger, each share of Common Stock, par value $.50 per share (the "Shares"), of the Company (other than Shares held by the State or its affiliates, and Shares held by shareholders exercising appraisal rights pursuant to Section 55-13-01, et seq. of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act) will be converted into the right to receive in cash $66.00 per Share, without interest, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Cross Reference Sheet is being supplied pursuant to General Instruction F to Schedule 13E-3 and shows the location in the Company's preliminary proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") concurrently being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in connection with the proposed Merger, which contains information required to be included in response to items of this Statement. A copy of the Proxy Statement is attached hereto as Exhibit (d)(1). The information in the Proxy Statement, including all exhibits thereto, is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference and the responses to each item are qualified in their entirety by the provisions of the Proxy Statement. All information in, or incorporated by reference in, the Proxy Statement or this Statement concerning the Company or its advisors, or actions or events with respect to any of them, was provided by the Company, and all information in, or incorporated by reference in, the Proxy Statement or this Statement concerning the DOT or B&M or their affiliates, or actions or events with respect to them, was provided by the DOT. The Proxy Statement incorporated by reference in this filing is in preliminary form and is subject to completion or amendment. In addition, the information in the Proxy Statement is intended to be solely for the information and use of the SEC, and should not be relied upon by any other person for any purpose. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement shall have the respective meanings given them in the Proxy Statement. As of October 31, 1997, the State owned 3,210,208 shares of Common Stock of the Company, representing approximately 74.94% of the total outstanding Common Stock of the Company. This Statement is being filed jointly by the Company, the DOT and B&M. By filing this Schedule 13E-3, none of the joint signatories concedes that Rule 13e-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is applicable to the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Where substantially identical information required by Schedule 13E-3 is included in more than one caption, reference may be made to only one caption of the Proxy Statement. 2 CROSS REFERENCE SHEET (PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION F TO SCHEDULE 13E-3) ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION IN PROXY STATEMENT 1. ISSUER AND CLASS OF SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE TRANSACTION. (a).............................................. Front Cover Page and "SUMMARY--Parties to the Merger Agreement" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. (b).............................................. "SUMMARY--Parties to the Merger Agreement" and "CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT NCRR-- Shareholders; Changes in Control" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. (c),(d)......................................... "CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT NCRR--Market Price of and Dividends on NCRR Common Stock" section of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by this reference. (e).............................................. Not Applicable. (f).............................................. Not Applicable. 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND. This Statement is being jointly filed by the North Carolina Railroad Company, the North Carolina Department of Transportation ("DOT") and the Beaufort and Morehead Railroad Company ("B&M"), a North Carolina corporation which is wholly owned by the DOT. (a)-(d),(g)..................................... The DOT is an agency of the State of North Carolina. Mr. E. Norris Tolson serves as Secretary of the DOT and Mr. David D. King serves as Deputy Secretary, Transit, Rail and Aviation of the DOT. Mr. Tolson and Mr. King serve as President and Treasurer, respectively, of the B & M and are its only officers. They also serve as Directors of the B & M along with Mr. Grayson G. Kelley, Esq., who is Special Deputy Attorney General at the North Carolina Department of Justice. The business address of each of these individuals is One South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611. "SUMMARY--Parties to the Merger Agreement" section of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by this reference. 3 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION IN PROXY STATEMENT (e),(f)......................................... To the best of the undersigneds' knowledge, none of the persons with respect to whom information is provided in response to this Item was during the last five years (i) convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining further violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation of such laws. 3. PAST CONTACTS, TRANSACTIONS OR NEGOTIATIONS. (a)(1)......................................... None (a)(2),(b)..................................... "SPECIAL FACTORS--Background of the Merger;--The Merger; and--Summary of Special Committee Proceedings and Negotiations." Sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. 4. TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION. (a).............................................. "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--The Merger Consideration and Recommendations and Reasons; - Method of Delivery of Merger Consideration; - Regulatory Approval; - other conditions to the Merger; Provisions for Termination; Effective Date; - Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations; and - Directors and Officers of NCRR upon Consummation of the Merger" A-- Agreement and Plan of Merger" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. (b).............................................. "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--The Merger Consideration and Recommendations and Reasons" and "DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. 4 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION IN PROXY STATEMENT 5. PLANS OR PROPOSALS OF THE ISSUER OR AFFILIATE. (a).............................................. "SPECIAL FACTORS--VALUE TO STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, PLANS OR PROPOSALS OF THE STATE" section of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by this reference. (b).............................................. None. (c),(d),(e).................................... "SPECIAL FACTORS--VALUE TO STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA; PLANS OR PROPOSALS OF THE STATE" and "THE CHARTER AMENDMENTS AND THE BYLAW AMENDMENTS" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. (f),(g)......................................... "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--Dequotation and Deregistration of NCRR Common Stock" section of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by this reference. 6. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION. (a),(c)......................................... "SUMMARY--Source of Merger Consideration", "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--Source and Amount of Funds" and "ANNEX E-Legislation Authorizing" North Carolina Railroad Acquisition" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. (b).............................................. "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--Costs and Expenses of the Merger" section of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by this reference. (d).............................................. Not applicable. 7. PURPOSE(S), ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS. 5 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION IN PROXY STATEMENT (a)-(c).......................................... "SUMMARY--Background of the Merger"; "SPECIAL FACTORS--Background of the Merger; "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER- Background of the Merger" and "SPECIAL FACTORS- MATERIAL REASONS FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT- Summary of Reasons Alternatives to the Merger are Less Attractive for Shareholders" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. (d).............................................. "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "SPECIAL FACTORS THE MERGER-- The Merger Consideration and Recommendations and Reasons" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. 8. FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTION. (a),(b)......................................... "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--The Merger Consideration and Recommendations and Reasons"; "SPECIAL FACTORS--SUMMARY OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS AND NEGOTIATIONS", "SPECIAL FACTORS--MATERIAL REASONS FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT" and "SPECIAL FACTORS--Fairness of the Merger." sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. (c).............................................. "SPECIAL FACTORS--SHAREHOLDER VOTE AND QUORUM REQUIREMENTS" section of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by this reference. (d),(e)......................................... "SUMMARY--Special Committee of the Board of Directors" and "SPECIAL FACTORS--SUMMARY OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS AND NEGOTIATIONS" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. (f).............................................. Not applicable. 9. REPORTS, OPINIONS, APPRAISALS AND CERTAIN NEGOTIATIONS. 6 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION IN PROXY STATEMENT (a)-(c).......................................... "SPECIAL FACTORS--OPINION OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR" and "SPECIAL FACTORS--SUMMARY OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS AND NEGOTIATIONS-- The Special Committee Proceedings" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. 10. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER. (a).............................................. "SUMMARY--Vote Required for Approval; Quorum Requirements"; "CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT NCRR-- Shareholders; Changes in Control" and "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. (b).............................................. Not applicable. 11. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS OR UNDERSTANDINGS WITH RESPECT TO THE ISSUER'S SECURITIES.............................. "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--The NCRR Capital Stock;--The Merger Consideration and Recommendations and Reasons", "THE CHARTER AMENDMENTS AND THE BYLAW AMENDMENTS", "CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT NCRR-- Shareholders; Changes in Control" and ANNEX B-The Charter Amendments and the Bylaw Amendments" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. 12. PRESENT INTENTION AND RECOMMENDATION OF CERTAIN PERSONS WITH REGARD TO THE TRANSACTION. 7 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION IN PROXY STATEMENT (a),(b)......................................... "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--The Merger Consideration and Recommendations and Reasons"; "SPECIAL FACTORS--MATERIAL REASONS FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT" and "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. 13. OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE TRANSACTION. (a).............................................. "DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL" section of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by this reference. (b).............................................. Not applicable. (c).............................................. Not applicable. 14. FINANCIAL INFORMATION. (a).............................................. "CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT NCRR--Selected Financial Data" section of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by this reference. (b).............................................. Not applicable. 15. PERSONS AND ASSETS EMPLOYED, RETAINED OR UTILIZED. (a),(b)......................................... "GENERAL--Proxy Solicitation" and "SPECIAL FACTORS--THE MERGER--Costs and Expenses of the Merger" sections of the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by this reference. 16. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. See text of the Proxy Statement. 17. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBIT. 8 (a).............................................. Exhibit (a)(1) Legislation Authorizing North Carolina Railroad Acquisition (incorporated by reference to ANNEX E to the Proxy Statement attached hereto as Exhibit (d)(1)). (b).............................................. Exhibit (b)(1) Opinion of Financial Advisor (incorporated by reference to ANNEX C to the Proxy Statement attached hereto as Exhibit (d)(1)). Exhibit (b)(2) Special Committee Presentation of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation dated October 3, 1997.* Exhibit (b)(3) Special Committee Presentation of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation dated April 7, 1997. Exhibit (b)(4) Special Committee Presentation of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation dated January 30, 1997. Exhibit (b)(5) August 12, 1994 Mercer Management Consulting Letter to NCRR ("Mercer STB Analysis" I). Exhibit (b)(6) July 28, 1995 Mercer Management Consulting Letter to NCRR ("Mercer STB Analysis" II). Exhibit (b)(7) North Carolina Railroad Company Discussion Notes, dated January 14, 1997, prepared by Mercer Management Consulting ("Mercer Report"). Exhibit (b)(8) March 3, 1992 Report of the Governor's Special North Carolina Railroad Study Group. Exhibit (b)(9) November 18, 1996 Corporate Strategies, Inc. report on Strategic Rail Freight Value of the North Carolina Railroad. (c).............................................. Exhibit (c)(1) Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 3, 1997 and Amended and Restated as of January 16, 1998, among North Carolina Railroad Company, Beaufort and Morehead Railroad Company and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (incorporated by reference to ANNEX A to the Proxy Statement attached hereto as Exhibit (d)(1)). (d).............................................. Exhibit (d)(1) Preliminary copy of Letter to Stockholders, Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement and form of Proxy for the Special Meeting of Stockholders of North Carolina Railroad Company to be held on March 31, 1998. (e).............................................. Exhibit (e)(1) Article 13 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act (incorporated by reference to ANNEX D to the Proxy Statement attached hereto as Exhibit (d)(1)). (f).............................................. Not applicable. *Previously filed 9 After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. February 20, 1998 NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY By: /s/ J. Bradley Wilson ____________________________ Name: J. Bradley Wilson Title: Secretary February 20, 1998 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION By: /s/ David D. King ____________________________ Name: David D. King Title: Deputy Secretary, Transit, Rail and Aviation February 20, 1998 BEAUFORT AND MOREHEAD RAILROAD COMPANY By: /s/ David D. King ____________________________ Name: David D. King Title: Treasurer Exhibit Index Exhibit Page Number Description Number - ------- ----------- -------- (a).............................................. Exhibit (a)(1) Legislation Authorizing North Carolina Railroad Acquisition (incorporated by reference to ANNEX E to the Proxy Statement attached hereto as Exhibit (d)(1)). (b).............................................. Exhibit (b)(1) Opinion of Financial Advisor (incorporated by reference to ANNEX C to the Proxy Statement attached hereto as Exhibit (d)(1)). Exhibit (b)(2) Special Committee Presentation of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation dated October 3, 1997.* Exhibit (b)(3) Special Committee Presentation of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation dated April 7, 1997. Exhibit (b)(4) Special Committee Presentation of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation dated January 30, 1997. Exhibit (b)(5) August 12, 1994 Mercer Management Consulting Letter to NCRR ("Mercer STB Analysis" I). Exhibit (b)(6) July 28, 1995 Mercer Management Consulting Letter to NCRR ("Mercer STB Analysis" II). Exhibit (b)(7) North Carolina Railroad Company Discussion Notes, dated January 14, 1997, prepared by Mercer Management Consulting ("Mercer Report"). Exhibit (b)(8) March 3, 1992 Report of the Governor's Special North Carolina Railroad Study Group. Exhibit (b)(9) November 18, 1996 Corporate Strategies, Inc. report on Strategic Rail Freight Value of the North Carolina Railroad. (c).............................................. Exhibit (c)(1) Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 3, 1997, and Amended and Restated as of January 16, 1998 among North Carolina Railroad Company, Beaufort and Morehead Railroad Company and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (incorporated by reference to ANNEX A to the Proxy Statement attached hereto as Exhibit (d)(1)). (d).............................................. Exhibit (d)(1) Preliminary copy of Letter to Stockholders, Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement and form of Proxy for the Special Meeting of Stockholders of North Carolina Railroad Company to be held on March 31, 1998. (e).............................................. Exhibit (e)(1) Article 13 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act (incorporated by reference to ANNEX D to the Proxy Statement attached hereto as Exhibit (d)(1)). (f).............................................. Not applicable. *Previously filed 10