Union Pacific – Page 16 – Railfanning.org

Union Pacific Railroad Increasing Train Speed On Line in Kennewick, Wash.

August 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad will increase the speed of its trains from 10 mph to 20 mph on nearly 12 miles of its rail line located in Kennewick, Wash. The rail line generally parallels state highway SR 240 through Kennewick. The increased train speed will take effect September 1, 2009. Trains currently operate through the area at 10 mph due to track and operating constraints. Recent track improvements will permit the higher speed. Union Pacific invested $2.8 million this year on track improvements in Kennewick. Crews recently completed the installation of approximately 23,500 new cross ties and 700

Union Pacific Marks Silver Anniversary of Its First Southern Powder River Basin Coal Train

August 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Twenty-five years ago on Aug. 16, the first Union Pacific and former Chicago & North Western (C&NW) coal train moved out of Wyoming’s Southern Powder River Basin (SPRB) coal field over a new 107-mile rail line connecting Union Pacific to the region. The C&NW merged with Union Pacific in 1995. Since the line was opened between Joyce, Neb., and Shawnee Junction, Wyo., in 1984, several milestones have been met including the operation of the 100,000th train March 17, 2001, and the movement of the 200,000th loaded coal train May 10, 2009, out of the SPRB. “Capital investment

Union Pacific Reports Second Quarter Earnings

August 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corp. reported 2009 second quarter net income of $468 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared to $531 million, or $1.02 per diluted share for the second quarter 2008. Included in the second quarter 2009 net income is $72 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, related to a June land sale to Colorado’s Regional Transportation District. Union Pacific produced solid second quarter results despite a business environment that continues to be extremely challenging,” said Jim Young, Union Pacific chairman and chief executive officer. “This performance demonstrates our unrelenting focus on safety, productivity and customer service,

Union Pacific Invests More Than $8 Million for Track Improvements to Its Mill Grove-To-Polo, Mo., Line

July 28, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Motorists will spend less time at crossings waiting for trains to pass with trains operating more efficiently as a result of more than $8 million in track improvements made by Union Pacific Railroad to its Mill Grove-to-Polo, Mo., line, the railroad said. When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed more than 62,500 ties, spread nearly 20,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed and renewed the road surfaces at 71 crossings. Work will begin on the project today and is scheduled to be completed by the first of September. Union Pacific

UP: ‘Volume Levels May Have Hit the Bottom as the Economy Seems to Have Stabilized’

July 28, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation reported 2009 second quarter net income of $468 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared to $531 million, or $1.02 per diluted share for the second quarter 2008. Included in the second quarter 2009 net income is $72 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, related to a June land sale to Colorado’s Regional Transportation District. “Union Pacific produced solid second quarter results despite a business environment that continues to be extremely challenging,” said Jim Young, Union Pacific chairman and chief executive officer. “This performance demonstrates our unrelenting focus on safety, productivity and customer service,

STB Orders Rate Relief for Oklahoma Utility Plant

July 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board issued a decision today granting an estimated $100 million in reparations and rate reductions over the next decade from Union Pacific Railroad to Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E). The utility serves more than 750,000 customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas. UP has hauled roughly 6 million tons of coal per year from Wyoming’s southern Powder River Basin to OG&E’s Muskogee Station power plant in Fort Gibson, Okla. under contracts between the parties. But after the latest contract expired on Dec. 31, 2008, UP and OG&E could not agree on a new contractual rate.

Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific Offer Refrigerated Trailer Shippers the Rail Industry’s Fastest Intermodal Delivery From Los Angeles to Atlanta With New Expedited Service

July 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad announced they have launched a new expedited intermodal service specifically designed for refrigerated trailer shippers between Los Angeles and Atlanta. This new service gives customers the option to have their refrigeration units serviced during the stop in El Paso, Texas, significantly reducing the risk of protective service failure during transit. New rail customers will find this premier service a seamless shift from over-the-road transportation by providing truck-like speed (more than 500 miles per day) and reliability. This is the industry’s fastest intermodal service between Los Angeles and Atlanta, the railroads said.

Union Pacific Donates Facility to U.S. Customs and Border Protection

July 8, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

EAGLE PASS, Texas — Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Union Pacific celebrated the opening of a new rail inspection building in Eagle Pass, Texas. Union Pacific donated the $800,000 facility to CBP. The building will serve as a one-stop location for officers who process information and inspect incoming trains. Eagle Pass Mayor Chad Foster, Maverick County Judge Jose Aranda and other guests dedicated the building, as a Union Pacific locomotive sounded its horn to officially open the new CBP rail facility. “Union Pacific and U.S. Customs and Border Protection work closely to provide safe and secure

UP: Cheyenne Frontier Days Special Train to be Pulled by Steam Locomotive

July 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

Image Courtesy Union Pacific OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad legendary steam locomotive No. 844 will pull a special train for Cheyenne Frontier Days, as well as a fundraising special for the Cheyenne Depot Museum between Cheyenne, Wyo., and Denver, Colo. The excursions will celebrate railroad heritage on Union Pacific. In order to get in position to pull this year’s Frontier Days special train, No. 844 will move to Denver’s Union Station from its base in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Thursday, July 16. On Friday, July 17, the locomotive will be on public display at Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.,from 8

Union Pacific Announces Operations Management Changes Across its System

July 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad announced the appointments of several service unit superintendents at various locations across the railroad’s 32,000-mile system. The appointments were effective July 1. David Giandinoto has been appointed general superintendent — transportation services for the Chicago Service Unit. Giandinoto is responsible for safe operation of trains on more than 1,000 miles of track in Illinois and Wisconsin. Prior to his recent appointment he had been director — transportation services for the Houston Service Unit. Giandinoto replaces Rod Richardson who has been appointed to a position in Oakland, Calif. Giandinoto began his railroad career in 1994