Amtrak, which operates Lincoln Service Trains 300-302 & 305-307 under a contract with the Illinois Department of Transportation (Ill. DOT), regrets any inconvenience.

Lincoln Service Changes

• From June 16 through June 24, Train 300, the early morning departure from St. Louis to Chicago and Train 307, the evening departure from Chicago to St. Louis, will only operate between Chicago and Lincoln, Ill., with alternate transportation provided between Lincoln and Springfield.
• From June 16 through June 18, Train 301, the morning departure from Chicago to St. Louis; Train 302, the morning departure from St. Louis to Chicago, Train 305, the early evening departure from Chicago to St. Louis, and Train 306, the early evening departure from St. Louis to Chicago; are canceled. Passengers are being directed to other trips on the corridor as alternate transportation. During the same period, Train 303, the mid-morning departure from Chicago to St. Louis, and Train 304, the mid-afternoon departure from St. Louis to Chicago, will only operate between Chicago and Lincoln, Ill., with alternate transportation provided between Lincoln and Springfield.
• From June 19 through June 24, Trains 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 & 306, will operate on an alternate route that will bypass the Springfield station. Passengers boarding at the Springfield station will be provided motorcoach service from the station to these trains. Motorcoaches will depart the station at the published train departure time. Passengers traveling on these trains can experience a delay of approximately one hour.

Texas Eagle Changes

• From June 16 through June 18, Trains 21/321/421 & Trains 22/322/422 will use a detour route that will bypass Joliet, Pontiac, Bloomington-Normal, Lincoln, Springfield, Carlinville and Alton. Passengers are being directed to other trips on the corridor as alternate transportation.
• From June 19 through June 24, Trains 21/321/421 & Trains 22/322/422 will operate on an alternate route that will bypass the Springfield station. Passengers boarding at the Springfield station will be provided motorcoach service from the station to these trains. Motorcoaches will depart the station at the published train departure time. Passengers traveling on these trains can experience a delay of approximately one hour.

Schedules for each of these trains are posted at stations on the route and at Amtrak.com and are subject to further changes as conditions warrant through the end of June.

The first of four next generation Genset locomotives arrived in Northern California this week and is already pushing rail cars into place throughout the Union Pacific yard. The switcher builds on Genset technology developed by Union Pacific over the past six years, and is part of the railroad’s ongoing efforts to continue reducing air emissions in cooperation with federal, state and local environmental agencies.

The new Genset switcher is powered by three 667-horsepower ultra-low-emission U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) off-road Tier 3-certified diesel engines. The switcher is projected to cut emissions of nitrous oxides by 80 percent and particulate matter by 90 percent, while using up to 30 percent less fuel when compared to older switching locomotives.

The fuel savings also translates into a reduction of greenhouse gases by up to 30 percent.

“Genset technology is just one example of the revolutionary efforts underway at Union Pacific to build and maintain the greenest locomotive fleet in the industry,” said Jim Young, chairman and chief executive officer. “The units’ innovative use of three engines allows it to produce power when needed for switching operations while reducing emissions and using less fuel. We’re not stopping here; we will continue our research and development efforts across our railroad to help us maintain our industry leading role in caring for the environment.”

Union Pacific plans to deploy four of the next generation Gensets at the Davis yard in coming months. With six traction motors, the new Gensets offer more power than the first production units, which have four motors. The two additional motors give the new switchers increased pushing power to sort rail cars and build trains within the Davis yard.

The new Gensets were partially funded with Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment program multi-district funds with the cooperation of the Sacramento Metro Air Pollution Control District, Placer County APCD, ARB and others.

Union Pacific began studies and tests of the prototype Genset switcher locomotive in 2002 and now has a total of 159 units working in California and Texas. Several other United States railroads have recently followed UP’s lead and are using similar Genset switching locomotives, while railroads in Canada, Mexico and South America are interested in the technology.

– Business Wire

Since deregulation of the freight railroad industry in 1980, Class 1 freight ton-miles have increased 93 percent, while miles of track have decreased 40 percent, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., said. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the demand for rail freight transportation will increase 88 percent by 2035, and their studies estimate that an investment of $148 billion in infrastructure expansion will be needed over the ext 28 years to keep pace with economic growth and to meet DOT’s expecteddemand, the Congresswoman added.

“Unfortunately, as freight movements have grown, so have the conflicts between freight and passenger trains, even though under existing federal law, Amtrak trains have priority over freight trains,” Brown said during a hearing last month. “This demand for space in the rail system has also caused unintended consequences for shippers.”

Freight traffic on U.S. railroads in 2007 was the second highest on record, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), following only 2006.

“Additionally, there is growing demand on the rail network for more than just freight movements,” U.S. Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., said during last month’s hearing. “In 2007, Amtrak moved 25.8 million passengers, the fifth straight year of record ridership. Additionally, commuter rail providers recorded 460 million trips in 2007.

“Congestion, heightened concerns over global warming, and rising gas prices will continue to push the demand for these alternatives to highway travel, and Amtrak and commuter rail must be able to continue to expand to accommodate their growing ridership,” Oberstar added. “Amtrak and commuter rail utilize portions of the freight rail network to provide service. However, their capacity needs are different from those of the freight railroads, meaning different capacity investments will be necessary if we want to continue to favor these modes.”

To help ease the congestion, some members of Congress are looking whether federal legislation needs to be passed, according to Oberstar.

“Unlike other modes of transportation, there is no dedicated stream of funding for rehabilitating, reconstructing, or expanding our nation’s rail network,” Oberstar said. “Some legislative proposals to deal with capacity concerns are circulating in Congress, including one to provide the railroads with a 25 percent infrastructure tax credit. I am currently reviewing that legislation.”

– Railfanning.org News Wire

At issue in this case was KCPL’s challenge to rates charged by UP for the rail transportation of coal from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin to KCPL’s Montrose Generating Station near Ladue, Mo. The parties to this case stipulated that the maximum lawful rate should be set at 180 percent of the variable cost of providing service.

In its decision, the Board found that UP’s rates for the challenged movements all exceed 180 percent of the variable cost of providing the transportation at issue. Accordingly, the Board ordered UP to establish and maintain rates, not to exceed 180 percent of the variable cost of providing the service at issue, through the end of calendar-year 2015.

The Board also ordered UP to pay reparations plus interest to KCPL for any money previously collected for rates charged above the 180 percent of variable-cost level.

“This risk-reduction program provides an indispensable opportunity to analyze ‘close-call’ events to help identify and correct potential safety problems across the industry,” said Boardman, adding that the pilot program is a key element of his agency’s National Rail Safety Action Plan.

Under a waiver granted by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) this week joins the Union Pacific Railroad in the Close Call Reporting System Demonstration Pilot Project. Approximately 350 Wisconsin-based CP employees can report ‘close call’ incidents without fear of sanction or penalty from the railroad or the federal government.

Boardman said that FRA currently requires railroads to routinely report a wide range of accidents and incidents. Even though ‘close calls’ are not accidents in the technical sense, they are potentially serious nonetheless such as failing to properly test an air brake before leaving a yard, proceeding beyond approved track authority while operating a train in dark (non-signaled) territory and lifting objects that place employees at risk for minor personal injuries, he explained.

The cumulative results of ‘close call’ reports are being studied to determine areas of potential risk and to develop solutions to prevent and minimize their occurrence in the future, Boardman said. Any reports that require immediate action will be handled promptly. Similar programs already exist in the aviation and mining industries.

In order to participate, the CP, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the United Transportation Union (UTU) each ratified an agreement with the FRA to allow employees to make confidential reports of ‘close calls’ to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

UP employees at the nation’s largest rail yard in North Platte, NE, began reporting ‘close calls’ in February 2007. FRA is actively working with the Alaska Railroad so that it may become the third railroad in this program. In addition, the Bush Administration has requested $1.2 million in its proposed FY09 budget to operate and expand this pilot program.

For more information, visit http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/1913.

Large-cap companies in the Russell 1000 Index were ranked based on their efforts and performance in these areas: climate change, employee relations, environment, financial, governance, human rights, lobbying and philanthropy.

Union Pacific ranked highest among companies listed in the railtrack industry subgroup in the employee relations and financial categories and was among the highest in the categories of governance, philanthropy and climate change.

“Being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens is truly an honor,” said Jim Young, chairman, president and CEO, Union Pacific. “Our strong ranking is a testament to the creativity, innovation and commitment of our employees who are doing the critical work necessary to serve our customers and meet our nation’s demand for consumer and industrial goods.”

CRO compiled the “100 Best” list in partnership with IW Financial, a Maine-based research and consulting firm focused on environmental, social and governance issues.

– Business Wire

The company also announced that Gregory D. Workman has been elected to succeed Fritz as the vice president-southern region. Workman, currently the assistant vice president-operations for the southern region will be succeeded by the superintendent of the Houston service unit, Daniel J. Shudak. Brian McGavock will succeed Shudak as general superintendent of the Houston service unit.

Fritz joined Union Pacific in July of 2000 in the marketing and sales organization as vice president and general manager of the energy group. In 2005 he was named regional vice president–northern region in the operating department. He assumed his position in the southern region in 2006. Prior to Union Pacific, he held positions with Fiskars Brands, Inc., and Cooper Industries. He is a graduate of Bucknell University, and earned an MBA from Northwestern University.

Workman started as a trainee with Union Pacific following his graduation from Purdue University in 1984 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He has held a number of positions in the operating department prior to being named assistant vice president-operations in 2004.

Dan Shudak has led the Houston Service Unit since 2005. Prior to that assignment, he held assignments in California, Texas and Illinois. He started with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in 1972 following his graduation from South Dakota University.

Brian McGavock has been general director of operating practices in the Southern Region since 2006. He has held operating positions in Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois, and Louisiana. He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University.

Marchant is retiring with more than 44 years of service with Union Pacific. He has led the company’s labor relations group since 1996 and has served as its chief labor negotiator during that period. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Creighton University.

“John Marchant has been the undisputed leader of our industry’s labor negotiations and strategy for over a decade” said Jim Young, chairman and chief executive officer of Union Pacific. “Very few individuals have had the kind of impact that John has had on this industry during a pivotal time in the history of railroads in America. We will miss his insight and judgment, and wish him and his family well in retirement. At the same time, we are delighted that Lance has accepted our offer to take over this important function at Union Pacific.”

The Thruway motorcoach service will connect the Coast Starlight route segment between Sacramento and Portland, Ore., making connections with the Coast Starlight train at Sacramento and other Amtrak train service at Portland. The Thruway motorcoach will connect with the Chicago-Portland Empire Builder at Portland.

Train service on the Coast Starlight route was suspended between Los Angeles and Seattle on Jan. 19, due to massive mudslides over the railroad north of Chemult, Ore. Union Pacific Railroad, the owner of the line, is working to restore the tracks affected by the slides. All railroad traffic through that area is currently suspended.

Amtrak restored train service over a portion of the route on Feb. 1, between Los Angeles and Sacramento, with no alternate transportation north of Sacramento. Amtrak will extend the service via motorcoaches, with the first southbound motorcoach, representing the Coast Starlight, Train 11, departing Portland on Feb. 29.

The first northbound motorcoach from the Coast Starlight, Train 14, will depart Sacramento for Portland on March 1. Motorcoaches will make stops in both directions at Sacramento, Medford, Eugene, Salem and Portland, Ore. The motorcoaches will also make meal and rest stops to accommodate passengers along the route.

For the train section of this special service, only Coach class will be offered. No sleeping car accommodations will be available. Food and beverage service will be available in a lounge car. The more formal dining service will also be suspended. The Coast Starlight will continue to operate as an all-reserved train and passengers will be able to check bags at stations that normally offer that service.

The railroad route is not expected to reopen through the mudslide area until April.

PINK’s exclusive list in the March/April issue profiles the most influential women driving innovation and revenue in corporate America.

“We scoured the upper echelons of corporate America to find the most significant women driving innovation in the U.S. – and adding major dollars to the bottom line in the process,” says Cynthia Good, founding editor of PINK. “These 15 women will soon claim the national spotlight, having birthed new generations of products and services – creating and sustaining change that continues to transform their organizations.”

Duren is being honored by PINK for her vision in creating the Express Lane food products train during her tenure as vice president and general manager, Agriculture Products for the nation’s largest railroad.

This reflected a huge market opportunity that had long been abandoned by the railroads. Following that was the introduction of Union Pacific’s perishable unit train — taking a full trainload of perishables from Washington State to New York. It was also during her role leading the Agriculture Products group that Union Pacific engaged the emerging ethanol opportunity helping the company proactively build the network to support ethanol rail delivery.

Duren oversees Union Pacific’s marketing and sales activities for chemical and petroleum industries. During her career, she has held a variety of positions in the finance and marketing and sales departments with Union Pacific since joining the company in 1985.

Duren is a graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting. She began her career as a certified public accountant with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in Omaha. Duren resides in Omaha with her husband Drew Collier and their four sons.

– Business Wire

The Company’s capital programs are designed to enhance safety, improve customer service, increase operating productivity and add network capacity to handle our customers’ growth. Major investment categories include:

• $1.6 billion to maintain and strengthen the track infrastructure,
• $840 million to increase network and terminal capacity,
• $490 million to upgrade our locomotive and freight car fleet, including the acquisition of 175 high-horsepower locomotives and new covered hoppers, and
• $170 million primarily to upgrade information technology systems, including the testing of positive train control, and other capital projects.

– Business Wire